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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Consumer protection in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Consumer Council is a watchdog focused on consumer rights and welfare.
Illustration: Brian Wang
Hong Kong society

How Hong Kong beauty sale tactics echo global ‘Dead Sea sales scams’

WikiLeaks files reveal pushy sales operations for Dead Sea beauty products have been problematic in several countries for decades.

Crime in Hong Kong

Opatra London and Hong Kong distributor suspend local operations after arrests

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong beauty sector faces new claims of hard-sell tactics and abuse

Hong Kong

Top executive at Opatra Hong Kong operator quits amid coercive sales probe

Check by SCMP found Sayles Retail filed Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director with Companies Registry on Wednesday.

The Lux Boutique outlet at Harbour City has it windows covered and door locked on Thursday. Photo: Karma Lo
Crime in Hong Kong

Customs arrests 2 over aggressive sales tactics at Opatra-branded shops

Arrests mark the first linked to the brand following mounting complaints and viral video of distressed customer.

Hong Kong society

Inside the playbook used to dupe Hongkongers into making big beauty product buys

Recent controversy surrounding Opatra London and local distributors puts aggressive sales tactics by certain chains under media spotlight.

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Hong Kong society

Opatra London distances itself from Hong Kong firm over deceptive sales allegations

London-based beauty chain says it deeply regrets if any customers have had ‘a distressing experience associated with our brand’.

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A shuttered branch of Opatra London on Russell Street in Causeway Bay. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Customs steps in over claims beauty chain Opatra cheated woman out of HK$60,000

Woman, 58, claimed she bought HK$61,400 worth of products at Sha Tin outlet and questioned sales practices, police say.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong baby food producer recalls pastas over rice weevil scare

Baby Basic said it had removed all products that might have been affected from store shelves and also suspended production of the pastas.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong parents rush babies for check-ups over infant formula lead scare

Mother tells SCMP that her five-month-old baby is in hospital for observation after consuming Friso batch flagged by Macau authorities.

Concerns about the product first emerged over the weekend after Macau authorities said tested samples from the flagged batch of formula were found to contain excessive levels of lead. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong

Over half of tested reading specs fail to list key details to prevent eye strain

Consumer Council tested 17 models of ready-to-wear reading glasses between January and May this year.

The watchdog found that most glasses lacked the labelling and warning statements required under European standards. Photo: Getty Images
Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Watchdog urges pet owners to be mindful of terms and conditions of insurance plans

Consumer Council issues warning less than week after more than 900 restaurants legally allowed to welcome dogs on premises.

Hong Kong

Customers seeking refunds during cooling-off period will need to pay admin fee

Under proposed changes, customers should shoulder a percentage of the total sum when they apply to cancel a contract, government says.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong IVF clinic ordered to halt most services after embryo specimen errors

Clinic apologises to affected clients and says it has set up an internal task force to conduct a review to improve procedures.

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Heal Fertility has a clinic in Central. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong society

Editorial | In curbing hard-sell tactics, Hong Kong must strike a balance

The consultation period must be used to work out issues to ensure robust laws that protect consumers, yet allow honest operators to thrive.

People exercise in a gym in Choi Wan Estate on March 16. Photo: Dickson Lee
Crime in Hong Kong

Cyberattack on Hong Kong’s Shun Hing Group affects data of 1 million people

Personal information of more than 920,000 customers, including their names, addresses and email addresses, involved in breach.

Hong Kong economy

No plan to extend tighter rules to yoga and dance studios: Hong Kong official

Proposed rules would apply only to gyms and beauty parlours, which logged about 5,000 prepaid contract complaints over six years, official says.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong eyes cool-off period for beauty, gym deals to curb hard-sell tactics

Proposals aim at addressing enforcement gaps under Trade Descriptions Ordinance in sectors involving large prepayments and long-term contracts.

Complaints involving beauty and fitness services account for nearly 90 per cent of sectors most prone to improper selling practices, according to the government. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

Watchdog urges clearer terms as complaints about hotels near 1,000 annually

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council says hotels and online platforms should clearly spell out policies for refunds and booking changes.

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

Claw machine operators told to get a grip on player complaints after 760% jump

Consumer Council data shows number of grievances involving claw machines has risen from 16 to 138 over three years.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong parents warned of injury and choking risks from catapult and tangram toys

Customs also urges retailers to pull products from shelves after seizing 700 sets during operation.

A catapult toy could pose injury and suffocation risks to children, Hong Kong customs has warned. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong

Top-rated air cons in Hong Kong vary by 33% in cooling efficiency, watchdog finds

Models tested included seven reverse-cycle air conditioners, while rest were cooling-only units.

The Consumer Council on Thursday released test results for 13 models of 1.5-horsepower inverter split-type air conditioners. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

Opinion | As claw machines proliferate, Hong Kong must regulate the unregulated

Given the addictive potential of the machines and complaints about rigging, regulation is a step in the right direction and must protect children.

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Hong Kong society

Personal info of 9,045 people compromised in Hong Kong private club data breach

Yau Yat Chuen Garden City Club’s management system rendered inoperable due to ransomware attack that encrypted information system files.

Crime in Hong Kong

Police arrest man on suspicion of stealing personal data of 56,000 patients

Employee of Hospital Authority contractor made an unauthorised entry into system and retrieved data.

The Hospital Authority has apologised to the victims. Photo: Felix Wong
Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong consumers need not be at sea when it comes to oysters

Readers discuss safety when processing and consuming oysters, the handling of an incident on the MTR’s East Rail line, and school classroom management.

Fresh oysters on sale at a food court in Causeway Bay on February 14. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Editorial | More transparency needed on fees and data for 24-hour gym memberships

As digital footprints expand, operators must be upfront with customers, who should also pause to read the fine print.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong watchdog warns 24-hour gym users of hidden costs, data privacy risks

Consumer Council urges users to weigh short-term costs and review privacy terms before signing up, with fees and policies varying citywide.

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