AGCM

Valuation of second-hand cars: the Antitrust Authority launches an investigation against the companies that manage the sites www.auto-prezzo.net and www.auto-valutazione.com

The Antitrust Authority has launched an investigation against persons who managed the sites www.auto-prezzo.net and www.auto-valutazione.com for unfair trade practices. The decision was taken in the light of the fact that more than 1,500 reports arrived from individual consumers and from consumer associations who felt that they had been misled by information given on the type of service that was being offered: according to reports the possibility of obtaining an estimate for a second-hand car after providing all the data that was required, appeared free of charge. Actually twenty-four hours later they received an invoice for the amount of €59.50 (€69.50 as from April) to be paid to the company “Pascutti Invest & Factoring Spa Inc.”

As soon as the process for the service fee started, this was followed by several frequent payment reminders as well as by indications to a company that could not be traced, Karasjok OY based in Tallinn (Estonia), as the organization to turn to for any eventual claims.

Rome, 22^nd July 2013