THE’Competition and market authority (AGCM) He started an investigation against Eni Plenitude Spa, the company belonging to the Eni group, on charges of incorrect commercial practices.
The focus of the survey concerns the methods of communication adopted by the company regarding the renewal of the economic conditions of its offers for the supply of light and gas.
Consumer reports
In the period between May and September 2024, numerous consumers reported to the AGCM that they had not received the prior communication of the renewal of the economic conditions of the contract by Eni full. Despite the sending of numerous communications, many of these would not have been successful, but the company would still have proceeded to renew the conditions, thus preventing users from exercising their right of withdrawal.
There is therefore the suspicion of an incorrect commercial practice, since the automatic renewal without correct information may have limited the possibility for consumers to freely choose whether to remain with the supplier or to terminate the contract.
Inspection and investigation with the support of the Guardia di Finanza
On March 13, the officials of the AGCM, supported by the special antitrust nucleus of the Guardia di Finanza, carried out an inspection at the Flying Eni and Mother House Eni Spa offices, the investigation has the purpose of clarifying whether the methods of renewal and communication of the economic conditions have been really incorrect and, if so, to determine any sanctions for the company.
If the investigation confirmed the adoption of incorrect practices, Eni fullness could be subject to a fine, which would further penalize the image of the company, already involved in other problems related to the management of contracts.
The previous: aggressive telemarketing and sanction for violation of privacy
This new investigation comes after another controversial episode that involved Eni fullness. In June 2024, the Privacy Guarantor Authority had inflicted a fine of more than 6 million euros to the company, following hundreds of reports by users.
The investigation concerned aggressive telemarketing practices, in which the company had made promotional calls without the consent of the interested parties, thus violating the regulations on the protection of personal data.
According to the authority, the calls had been addressed to numbers registered in the opposition register, and many of the contracts activated through these contacts were illegal. The investigation had revealed that a significant number of contracts had been concluded through illegitimate methods.
In addition to the fine, Eni Pletnitude had been obliged to stop the processing of personal data of users who had made complaints, as well as to ensure that the contracts obtained illegally did not be registered in the company system.
The investigation of the AGCM against Eni plenitude therefore represents a new chapter in the control of corporate practices related to the energy sector. If the accusations were confirmed, the company could be further penalized, with repercussions on its reputation and its relationship with consumers.
