Courts rule against Unimarc and Telecom Argentina in consumer protection cases

Courts in Chile and Argentina have issued rulings against companies for violating consumer protection laws.

In Coyhaique, Chile, the Court of Appeals upheld a sentence condemning the Unimarc supermarket to pay compensation to a customer. The consumer's vehicle was damaged in the store's underground parking lot by an unknown party. The court highlighted the duty of security and diligence required of companies, noting that the supermarket's security cameras were non-operational at the time of the incident.

In Córdoba, Argentina, the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeals ordered Telecom Argentina to indemnify a client for activating two unauthorized telephone lines. The company subsequently attempted to collect the debt and included the customer in a credit delinquency registry. The court described the company's conduct as “reproachable,” noting that the improper inclusion in credit risk databases can harm a consumer's reputation and access to credit.