SFAM raided by DGCCRF in Romans-sur-Isère and in Paris

The multimedia and household appliance insurance company (SFAM) is once again in the crosshairs of the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control.

DGCCRF agents visited the company’s headquarters in Romans-sur-Isère and its Paris offices on Thursday. And it wasn’t a routine check, it was a search. « These investigations », carried out by the DGCCRF, « are ongoing with this company in connection with suspected violations of the consumer code. »

For what reasons ? Have there been any new customer complaints? The repression of fraud does not specify it. SFAM has not yet answered our questions.

Following our information obtained from official sources and even from many customers, the SFAM would have invoiced in July more than 3000 customers out of a total of 7000, for an amount of 22.99 euros under the pretext that in August they are closed. , and that the amount would represent their insurance for the month of August, which turned out to be a fraud because at the beginning of August, customers were again debited by SFAM.

Finally, the European insurance company SFAM does not inform policyholders of changes made and they blame the computer system, or impose new insurances and prices that change from quarter to quarter, without notifying you.

Another criticism is that the SFAM does not explain to you that products over 5 years old are not taken into account for repair or replacement when you are insured, and only when you announce a claim.

In the event of a disaster, the SFAM informs you that the products considered as being able to be insured and repaired must not exceed in 1 day – 3 years or maximum for multimedia products and with the exception of various products from 5 years from the date of purchase, being household appliances.

What are the insured products and where are the SFAM errors:

• for example, a phone or tablet cannot be repaired if it is more than 3 years old from the date of purchase;
• a television, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a stove … etc. cannot be repaired or replaced by SFAM if they are more than 5 years old from the date of their purchase;
• another problem is that many products are insured at the time of purchase by abuse in Fnac Darty stores;
• a defective or non-functioning product sent to SFAM is always lost, has not been repaired, or even not recorded as received, being considered as a lost item.

Sadri Fegaier, to buy « a national distribution brand », has since invested 335 million euros to take 11.35% of the capital of Fnac Darty, thus becoming its second shareholder.

Last year, the company primarily engaged in cell phone insurance was penalized for deceptive marketing practices. She accepted a transactional fine of 10 million euros and reimbursement from customers who complained that they unwittingly took out insurance when buying a laptop or tablet. This file is now on the office of the public prosecutor of Paris who must validate compliance with these transactions.

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