CCTV News: According to the WeChat official account of the Beijing Consumer Association, purchasing insurance products and canceling insurance is the legal right of the insured and is also a part of normal insurance consumption behavior under the contract framework. However, in the consultation and complaints of consumers, some criminals used "full insurance refund for agents", "rights protection refunds" and "insurance policy upgrades" as bait to publish "agent insurance refunds" information through online platforms, text messages, telephone marketing, etc., instigating and inducing insurance consumers to entrust them to handle insurance refund services on their behalf, and make malicious complaints under the guise of "agent rights protection", collecting high commissions from them to achieve the purpose of claiming for insurance refund fees or obtaining other improper benefits, forming a gray industrial chain of "agent insurance refunds black industry". Such behavior not only disrupts the order of the insurance market, but also seriously infringes on the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.

Common means and harms of "refunding black market"

False promises induce surrender. Under the guise of "full cancellation for insurance" and "high proportion cancellation for insurance", false propaganda is made through telephone, text messages, online advertising and other channels, falsely claiming that it has special relationship with insurance companies or regulatory departments, and inducing consumers to entrust them to apply for cancellation for insurance. In fact, we make profits by charging high handling fees, embezzling personal information and even stealing funds.

Malicious complaints for forged materials. Instigate consumers to fabricate false reasons such as "sales misleading", forge medical records, income certificates and other materials, put pressure on regulatory authorities or insurance companies to force a refund.

Information leakage and secondary fraud. During the process of canceling insurance, consumers must provide sensitive information such as ID card, bank card, policy number, etc. Criminals may use this information to commit fraud, resell or even blackmail. Some consumers are also induced to participate in illegal financial management or purchase false insurance products after withdrawing insurance, resulting in secondary losses.

The new type of scam "Insurance Policy Upgrade". Criminals pretended to be employees of insurance companies and tricked consumers into swiping their cards to transfer money or apply for insurance loans on the grounds of "re-insurance policy re-efficiency" and "upgrade rebates", but disappeared after the payment was filed.

The main economic losses faced by consumers by "refunding the insurance black market". After canceling the insurance policy, you can only get the cash value of the insurance policy, which is far lower than the paid premium and lose the original protection; after paying high fees, the black industry institution may run away with the payment, or lead to an increase in premiums and restrictions on insurance again.

Legal risks. Some criminals not only demand fees through threats and intimidation, but also allow consumers to participate in forging complaint materials and malicious rights protection, so that consumers may be forced to be involved in illegal acts.

Information and credit risk. The leakage of personal information may cause chain risks such as theft and impersonation of loans; malicious insurance refund records may affect future insurance credit, resulting in refusal or surcharge.

To help consumers identify risks and protect their own rights and interests, Beijing Consumer Association, jointly with Tianjin Consumer Association, Hebei Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Committee issued the following consumer warnings

Correctly understand the role of insurance. Insurance is a long-term risk management tool that is ready for the future. Do not trust the "black insurance policy" in short-term interests and lead to loss of normal insurance coverage, damage to funds or other risks.

Enhance prevention awareness and discernment ability. Don’t easily believe in promises such as “agent insurance cancellation”, “professional rights protection”, and “lossless insurance cancellation”. “zero loss” and “special channels” publicity are all scams. Do not easily provide sensitive information such as ID cards, bank cards, etc. to strangers. Report on behaviors such as requiring payment of intermediary fees, "refunding old and investing in new ones", replacing "high-yield" products, and signing unequal agreements.

Please apply for a refund based on your actual needs. You can consult and handle the insurance company's official customer service hotline, official website official account, service counter, or contact the 12378 Bank and Insurance Consumer Complaints and Rights Protection Hotline. Do not handle the matter through third-party agencies or individuals.

The consumer associations in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province also warn online publicity platforms that should strengthen social responsibility awareness, strengthen content supervision, and cut off the channels for the promotion and acquisition of customers of insurance "black industry for insurance withdrawal".