Consumers may soon get better protection from potential online scams or frauds, following a plan by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to introduce a special online business licence for traders.

According to deputy minister Datuk Rosol Wahid, the new licence will see sellers being subjected to certain conditions. In turn, consumers will be able to make online purchases without doubting the legitimacy and reputation of the traders.

“This special online business licence is one of the effective measures to combat scammers, and we will try to enforce this licence immediately,” said Datuk Rosol, although he also clarified that it will only be implemented after the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations 2012 under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 is amended.

Datuk Rosol also cited data from KPDNHEP, saying that the number of complaints about online transactions in 2020 has shown an hike from 5,414 complaints in 2019 to 11,510 complaints this year. He further said that consumers can avoid fraudulent online transactions by checking sellers’ bank account numbers before transferring any money to them.

One avenue that was recommended by Datuk Rosol for the purpose of making such checks is the Royal Malaysia Police Commercial Crime Investigation Department website and app, called Semak Mule CCID. He said that consumers will be able to check for sellers’ bank accounts or telephone numbers via this portal.

The deputy minister also highlighted another mobile app called idenfic, which was developed by the National Consumer Action Council (MTPN). It allows users to identify and report fraudulent accounts easily.

“The app will record user reports against the scammer’s bank account so that other users can be informed of the case and avoid being scammed through the same account. At the same time, this app will also be able to verify authentic, reliable, and reputable sellers as well as increase the confidence of potential buyers,” said Datuk Rosol.

(Source: The Edge Market)

• TAGS:
• Datuk Rosol Wahid
• E-Commerce
• idenfic
• KPDNHEP
• Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
• National Consumer Action Council (MTPN)
• Online Fraud
• Online Scams
• Royal Malaysia Police Commercial Crime Investigation Department
• Scams
• Semak Mule CCID
• Special Online Business Licence