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Consumer Protection Agency Imposes Significant Fines on Directory Service Operator for Misleading Practices
Paris, France – The Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) has recently announced the imposition of two fines totaling €52,000 against the directors of MONETIZ, a company operating a telephone directory information service. This action underscores the DGCCRF’s commitment to safeguarding consumers from deceptive commercial practices.
The investigation, initiated by the DGCCRF, revealed that MONETIZ engaged in practices that were deemed misleading and detrimental to consumers utilizing their premium-rate number services. While specific details of the misleading practices were not fully elaborated in the initial announcement, such actions typically involve a lack of transparency regarding the costs associated with calling these premium-rate numbers, or an insufficient disclosure of the nature of the service being provided.
The DGCCRF, as the French authority responsible for consumer protection and market fairness, plays a crucial role in ensuring that businesses operate with integrity and provide accurate information to their customers. The imposition of these substantial fines serves as a strong deterrent to other companies and emphasizes the importance of adhering to consumer protection regulations.
The €52,000 penalty, split across two separate fines, signifies the seriousness with which the DGCCRF views these infractions. It is intended to penalize the company for its non-compliant practices and to encourage a more responsible approach to service provision in the future.
Consumers seeking information via telephone directory services, particularly those involving premium-rate numbers, are strongly advised to exercise caution and ensure they are fully aware of all associated costs and the precise nature of the service before making a call. The DGCCRF remains dedicated to investigating and addressing any instances of unfair or misleading commercial behavior to protect the interests of all consumers.
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economie.gouv.fr published ‘Numéros surtaxés : deux amendes d’un montant total de 52 000 euros prononcées à l’encontre des dirigeants de la société MONETIZ, exploitant un service de renseignements téléphoniques’ at 2025-09-08 09:28. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.