Between January and October of this year, the institution handled a total of 436 formal cases for violations of this regulation. Main Causes of Non-Compliance The Research Department of Acodeco detailed that the main violations committed by economic agents and reported in these 436 cases are concentrated in the following areas: • Interest Rate: 125 cases for failing to comply with the special interest rate. • Restaurants: 95 cases for not applying the 25% discount in restaurants. • Notices: 81 cases due to the absence of visible signs informing about the benefits in the establishments. • Loans: 58 cases for not applying the special interest rate on personal and commercial loans. • Fast Food: 18 violations of the 15% discount on fast food from national and international franchises. • Air Transport: 9 cases for not validating the 25% discount on air tickets. In addition to the formal cases, the institution registered 359 complaints through its various channels by November of this year. If the situation is not resolved, the case must be reported to the institution. Other reasons for complaints included: 37 reports against fast food franchises, 19 against hotels, pensions and motels, 14 for non-compliance on air tickets, 11 for not applying the 20% discount on medicines and 8 for the lack of 30% on interurban buses. Complaint and Inspection Process When a violation of the benefits of Law 6 of 1987 occurs, Acodeco initiates an inspection process. The latter carries out the corresponding visits to the establishments indicated, and upon verifying the violation, the respective record is drawn up and the procedure is initiated for the economic agent to present their defense. Acodeco recommends that affected persons, in case discounts are not respected, the first step should be to present the claim to the person in charge of the establishment. It can also be reported through the official social networks (@AcodecoPma on Facebook and X) and the institutional website, always including the name and location of the commercial establishment. Key Information and Preferential Treatment Acodeco emphasized the importance that retirees, pensioners, and elderly people know in detail the benefits established by the law, since complaints are received for services (such as cable television or internet) that are not contemplated in the regulation. The Research Department prepares a report that is sent to the Verification Department. The institution makes a frequently asked questions guide about Law 6 of 1987 available on its website. Finally, the authority reminds that state and private companies providing public services are obliged to have a space or exclusive window for the attention of this population group. Acodeco suggests extending this preferential treatment to other stores as a recommended commercial practice and of social value.
