OCCP initiated proceedings against banks – Virtual Poland

OCCP opened five investigations against the banks in connection with the practice of informing customers about changes in the agreements only within the online banking system and in connection with changes in the conditions of the agreement without legal basis – inform the office.

According to information OCCP Monday, the president of the office monitors the financial services sector also in terms of changes in contracts and regulations. “We recently opened five investigations in connection with the violation of collective consumer interests by Alior Bank, Bank Millennium, BZ WBK, ING Bank Slaski and Pekao” – says information.

Concerns Office of Competition and Consumer Protection raised the practice of informing consumers about changes the agreements concluded with them by means of internal online banking services. “According to the OCCP, information about the proposed bank changes in the contract the consumer should be transmitted by means of a durable medium. For example – should receive a letter in the traditional form, or the information stored on the USB or CD. This data can also be submitted by e-mail, the provided that they contain all the information required, and not just references to external websites on which they are contained, and the consumer agrees to this form of communication “- reads the information of the OCCP.

President of the OCCP questioned the introduction by the designated above the banks of amendments to the terms of contracts during their implementation without a proper legal basis in the contract itself or in the generally applicable provisions of law.

“OCCP does not question the right of entrepreneurs to change the terms of contracts, but it must always be done in accordance the rules which provide for the rules. So if a trader based on its unilateral decision wants to make changes in the performance agreements, it must be done on the basis of a clear, precise and understandable so. clause modification (ie a set of conditions which determine what and when might change) “- reads the office.

Proceedings against Alior Bank, Bank Millennium, BZ WBK, ING Bank Slaski and Pekao are not the only ones in which the Office examine how changes in the contracts – adds the OCCP. “In November 2015, the President of the OCCP initiated proceedings against Credit Agricole Bank Poland. In addition, as part of the investigation are tested practices of six other financial institutions. It is also not ruled out a further extension of research entities “- noted in the information office.