Heatwave in France: how to avoid online scams for fake air conditioners
If the price sounds too good to be true…it probably is
Published
French fraud watchdogs have warned consumers over a wave of fake air conditioner offers that have appeared online in recent weeks to coincide with the recent heatwaves.
Inspired by the high demand created by prolonged high temperatures, fraudulent sellers have promoted cheap cooling devices that usually fail to deliver what they promise.
The issue started during the first heatwave this summer when many people rushed to the supermarkets to buy air conditioning units and fans, resulting in a stock shortage.
This led people to turn to online adverts offering immediate solutions at very low prices. This urgency created an opportunity for unreliable sellers, who used attractive websites, exaggerated claims and heavy online advertising to promote products.
Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF), France's consumer-fraud watchdog, has since warned consumers to remain vigilant.
The authority has received nearly 700 reports since the beginning of June concerning delivery problems or misleading commercial practices linked to air conditioner sales, mainly involving purchases made through foreign websites.
Brands such as Coolizi, Epicooler and Airabreeze have been flagged by consumers for their alleged misleading practices, with online adverts presenting “miracle” cooling devices at unusually low prices.
Some Airabreeze adverts, for instance, advertised products from around €59.90, claiming they could provide powerful cooling as an alternative to traditional mobile air conditioners (which usually start at around €170 and can climb over €1,000 depending on the model).
Similar promotions for Coolizi and Epicooler relied on large discounts, countdown timers and claims of limited availability to encourage customers to buy before they have time to think things through.
However, some buyers later reported receiving only basic cooling devices rather than the powerful air conditioners advertised, while others said their orders never arrived.
How to protect yourself before buying an air conditioner
When deciding to purchase or rent an air conditioner, you should be cautious of offers that appear too good to be true. If the price is much lower than other products of similar range, you should consider the possibility of it being a scam.
One of the simplest ways to spot a misleading product is to check how it works. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that there is no real air conditioning solution without air evacuation.
A genuine unit must remove hot air from inside the home and release it outside, usually through an exhaust hose connected to a window or another outlet. Products claiming to cool an entire room without any form of ventilation may simply be fans or air coolers rather than true air conditioners.
Before purchasing online, consumers should also check the seller carefully. The website should provide clear legal information identifying the company, contact details and return conditions.
A secure connection beginning with “https” is recommended, although this alone does not guarantee that a seller is trustworthy. Missing legal notices, vague contact information or unrealistic promises should all be treated as warning signs.
Buyers should also avoid relying only on reviews displayed on the seller’s own website, as these can be misleading. Searching for independent opinions on platforms such as Trustpilot, Reddit and consumer forums can provide a more accurate picture.
Looking up the product name alongside terms such as “scam”, “complaint”, “refund” or “review” may reveal problems reported by previous customers.
Finally, consumers should be careful with products discovered through online adverts on social media, search engines or sponsored content on websites.
The presence of an advert on a familiar platform does not mean that the seller has been verified. Taking a few minutes to research the company before paying can help avoid losing money on a product that does not deliver what it promises.
If a consumer encounters misleading claims or a suspicious seller, they can report it through SignalConso, the official French consumer reporting platform.
Anyone who has already placed an order should keep evidence such as emails, order confirmations, screenshots and payment records, and contact their bank if the product never arrives or does not match the description.
