Exorbitant prices and stockpiling activities can be reported through many channels.

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated that complaints regarding exorbitant pricing practices are being meticulously examined, saying, "We will not allow opportunists, hoarders, greed, or a black market mentality in this matter. We want our citizens to boycott businesses that apply exorbitant prices without compromising with opportunists and to report their complaints on this issue."

THE PRESIDENT HAD MADE A CALL

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reacted to businesses that applied exorbitant price increases in their products after the first Cabinet Meeting of the new year and called on citizens to "boycott" in the fight against this issue. While inspections are ongoing across Turkey to ensure fair competition in the market, protect consumers, and prevent unjust price increases, citizens can also report their complaints to the relevant institutions through various channels.

In this context, the Ministry of Trade conducts its inspections by considering changes in market conditions, the general characteristics of the sector in question, changes in consumption habits, and the complaints received from consumers.

ALO 175 LINE PROVIDES SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS

Consumers can call the Alo 175 Line established within the Ministry of Trade to report their problems and complaints, and they can obtain information about products that pose risks to human health, life, and property safety. Citizens can specify the name, brand, model, purchase date and location of the product or service, as well as issues such as exorbitant pricing, defective goods, or service deficiencies in detail by calling the mentioned number.

COMPLAINTS CAN ALSO BE SUBMITTED THROUGH E-GOVERNMENT CHANNEL

Consumers can log in to e-Government with their username and password to file complaints against companies they suspect of unjust price increases or hoarding. Citizens can type "Unjust Price Increase Complaint Notification" into the search engine on the site, click the "new complaint notification" button on the page that appears, and fill out the form to submit their applications.

Consumers can also file their complaints about exorbitant price increases by personally applying to the trade directorates in their provinces. Additionally, complaints can be made through the Unjust Price Increase Complaint System (HFA) mobile application. Citizens who want to report exorbitant price increases can also file complaints through the Presidential Communication Center (CIMER). Furthermore, complaints regarding tax irregularities and price increases can also be reported to the Revenue Administration (GİB) under the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

"NO ACTION OR ACTIVITY THAT AFFECTS THE WELFARE OF OUR CITIZENS WILL BE ALLOWED"

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated that they continue to work towards ensuring a fair, competitive, and stable domestic trade market in line with the goals outlined by President Erdoğan for the "Century of Turkey."

Bolat said, "Especially with the announcement of the minimum wage increase, we are intensively continuing our inspections in 81 provinces before the new year to ensure that citizens do not suffer from exorbitant price increases and situations that lead to unjust profits. In this regard, no action or activity that affects the welfare of our citizens will be allowed, and we will continue our fight against exorbitant prices and unjust profits with sensitivity this year as well." he said.

Stating that citizens should report businesses they believe are applying exorbitant prices through the channels created by the Ministry, Bolat noted: In this context, in order to increase the deterrent effect of penalties, the upper limit of the fine for exorbitant pricing has been raised to 1 million lira, and the upper limit for hoarding fines has been raised to 12 million lira. Additionally, it has become possible to close the workplaces of those who engage in hoarding for up to 6 days. The relevant units of our Ministry are meticulously examining complaints on this issue and applying the necessary sanctions. Therefore, we will not allow opportunists, hoarders, greed, or a black market mentality in this matter. We want our citizens to boycott businesses that apply exorbitant prices without compromising with opportunists and to report their complaints on this issue.