OCCP’s New Powers in the Fight Against Online Fraud – Implications for the Fintech Market

The Polish government is working on legislative amendments that will significantly expand the powers of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (OCCP) in combating online fraud.

The planned regulations are intended to strengthen consumer protection in e-commerce as well as in financial services provided online, which may be particularly important for the fintech sector. The draft bill is expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers in the first quarter of 2026.

Aligning Polish Regulations with EU Law and Strengthening the Fight Against Online Fraud

The amendments are being prepared in cooperation with the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Interior and Administration. Their objective is not only to increase the effectiveness of combating online fraud but also to align Polish legislation with EU rules on cooperation between consumer protection authorities (the Consumer Protection Cooperation- CPC- Regulation).

Test Purchases and New Evidentiary Tools for the OCCP

From the perspective of the fintech market and institutions offering financial services online, the new evidentiary tools that the regulator may receive could be particularly important. The draft introduces the possibility for officials to carry out so-called test purchases.

In practice, this means that OCCP representatives will be able to enter into agreements with businesses– including those operating in the financial sector- in order to verify whether the products and services offered comply with applicable law. In certain situations, such activities may be conducted using an assumed identity.

The planned regulations also provide for broader inspection powers for the authority. OCCP would be able to conduct investigative activities at business premises as well as in locations used for economic activity, including vehicles. During such inspections, officials may secure documents, copy data and request explanations from employees and company representatives.

New OCCP Powers Regarding Websites and Domain Names

Another significant development would be the ability to intervene in online infrastructure used by entities infringing the collective interests of consumers. Where other enforcement measures prove ineffective, OCCP would be able to require hosting service providers to remove specific content or entire websites.

In addition, domain registrars could be obliged to delete the domain name of a business conducting unlawful activities.

Implications of the Planned Changes for the Fintech Sector

The new regulations are also intended to strengthen cross-border cooperation between consumer protection authorities within the European Union. In practice, this may facilitate more effective action against entities operating across multiple jurisdictions, particularly in cases involving investment schemes resembling financial pyramids or online platforms targeting consumers in several EU Member States.

For fintech companies the planned changes primarily highlight the growing importance of compliance and transparency in business models. The regulator’s ability to conduct undercover actions, combined with broader inspection powers, may significantly increase the likelihood of quickly identifying irregularities in the way services are offered to consumers.

At this stage, the proposal remains under government review. Nevertheless, market participants should already monitor the direction of the proposed reforms, as they may have a material impact on the way businesses operating in the digital financial services sector conduct their activities.

New OCCP Powers – Will the Changes Affect Your Business?

The planned expansion of the powers of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection may have significant implications for businesses operating in the e-commerce and digital financial services sectors. In particular, the new enforcement tools and the possibility of intervention in online infrastructure may increase the importance of compliance and transparency in business models.

If you would like to analyse how the proposed changes may affect your company’s operations or verify whether the services you offer comply with applicable regulations, we invite you to contact our team.