UOKiK challenges loan-related extras offered by MediQurs and D&D Group

The President of UOKiK has opened proceedings against D&D Group, MediQurs, MediQurs Bis, MediQurs Bis 1 and MediQurs 1. The announcement of 10 November concerns suspicions that loan costs were hidden in fees for language courses and telemedicine packages. The authority challenges the requirement to purchase additional services before money could be paid out.

According to UOKiK, the agreements were presented as instalment financing for services under a buy-now-pay-later arrangement, with access to a cash limit. The price of the extras increased with the financing amount. The authority alleges that these fees were effectively loan costs and may have been used to circumvent statutory restrictions.

In one example described by the authority, a customer receiving PLN 6,000 was expected to pay PLN 7,000 for a course, resulting in PLN 13,000 to repay. This is a specific example from the announcement, rather than the terms of every agreement. UOKiK says the fees reached up to seven times the statutory cap on non-interest costs. Customers reportedly made little use of the additional services.

The case remains at the allegations stage: no final ruling or imposition of fines has been announced in these proceedings. If the suspicions are confirmed, each company could face a fine of up to 10 per cent of turnover, while managers could face fines of up to PLN 2 million. UOKiK has also notified prosecutors of a suspected criminal offence.