{"id":1301735,"date":"2025-10-24T12:02:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T06:32:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/?p=1301735"},"modified":"2025-10-24T12:03:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T06:33:12","slug":"govt-asks-online-shoppers-to-call-1915-in-case-of-hidden-charges-dark-patterns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/govt-asks-online-shoppers-to-call-1915-in-case-of-hidden-charges-dark-patterns\/","title":{"rendered":"Govt Asks Online Shoppers To Call 1915 In Case Of Hidden Charges, Dark Patterns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve ever been lured by a massive discount during Flipkart Big Billion Days<\/strong>, Amazon Great Indian Festival<\/strong>, or even while ordering from Zepto<\/strong>, only to realize at checkout that the final price is almost the same as before, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This manipulative strategy\u2014where the displayed price increases later due to hidden fees like delivery, packaging, or convenience charges\u2014is called drip pricing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Dark Pattern Disguised as a Discount<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drip pricing is one of the \u201cdark patterns\u201d<\/strong> that some online platforms use to deceive consumers. At first, the product seems heavily discounted, but by the time taxes and service charges are added, the total amount paid equals\u2014or sometimes exceeds\u2014the original price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These tactics exploit customer trust and create an illusion of savings, especially during festive sales<\/strong>, when buyers are more likely to make impulsive purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Government Issues a Stern Warning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recently, the Government of India<\/strong> has formally warned companies and e-commerce platforms against such deceptive pricing. The Department of Consumer Affairs<\/strong> has flagged drip pricing as a misleading trade practice<\/strong>, emphasizing that any such act violates consumer protection laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This move comes as part of the government\u2019s broader effort to make digital marketplaces more transparent and accountable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What You Can Do as a Consumer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The good news is\u2014you\u2019re not powerless. The National Consumer Helpline (NCH)<\/strong> allows you to file complaints<\/strong> against brands or platforms that indulge in drip pricing or other misleading tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can reach the NCH by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n