Alert: What is the 'drip pricing' scam? The government warns online shoppers, so complain on this number..

During the festive season, as millions of people search for deals on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, the central government has warned consumers about a new fraud. The government has issued a warning against a cunning technique called "drip pricing," under which online shopping platforms charge hidden fees to buyers.

What is drip pricing?
Drip pricing is a marketing strategy in which the full price of a product is not initially displayed. When the user reaches the payment page, additional charges such as "handling fees," "platform charges," or "service tax" are gradually added. For example, if a smartwatch is shown for ₹4,000, the bill reaches ₹4,200 upon payment.

Why did the government issue the warning?
The Consumer Ministry's awareness handle, @jagograhakjago, has described drip pricing as a "dark pattern." This is a technique that encourages users to make purchases based on incomplete information. The government states that such practices mislead consumers and impact a transparent trade system.

Through this warning, the government wants all e-commerce companies to display the full price, taxes, and mandatory fees at the outset. This step is a major effort towards ensuring transparency and fair trade in the online market.

How to Identify Drip Pricing?
Drip pricing is not difficult to identify. If you notice a price increase as you reach the payment page, a mandatory charge cannot be removed, or taxes and service fees appear at the last stage, then understand that the platform is using drip pricing.

To avoid this, customers should check the final price before confirming the order, compare prices across different websites, and pay special attention to terms like "handling" or "service charge." If such a case is found on any website, a complaint can be lodged on the National Consumer Helpline 1915 or on consumerhelpline.gov.in.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.