Between January and March 2024, Portuguese consumers registered 1,313 complaints about online fraud, an increase of about 20%, compared to the same period in 2023.
Data from the complaints portal also shows that as of April 21, there have been a total of 1,486 complaints.
The majority of reported complaints relate to purchases in online stores, where consumers complain about purchasing a product that they did not receive, receiving no response (from the brand/seller) and without a refund.
The main reason for complainants is non-refund of the purchase value, even after not receiving the product, generating 57.8% of complaints in fraud cases.
Another reason given by consumers related to problems with brand communication/responsiveness, such as difficulties with customer service and lack of feedback from the seller.
The highest volume of complaints about an alleged case of fraud, which collected 42.5% of reports, was recorded in the shopping, fashion and jewelry category. Followed by the field of beauty, aesthetics and luxury, with 13.6% of cases. 9.4% of complaints point to fraudulent schemes in the hotel, travel and tourism category and 9% of cases point the finger at furniture, decor and home appliance stores. The source of 7.4% of complaints is the Internet, websites, and commercial stores.
It is worth noting that in 2023, Portal da Queixa received nearly 25 thousand complaints related to online fraud, an increase of 37% compared to the same period in 2022.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
