During the week of 2024-07-08 to 2024-07-14, the Service Juridique provided consumer consultations through various communication channels, including messenger, e-mail, Reddit, Mastodon, and phone. A total of 18 consultations were conducted. The predominant issues addressed in these consultations involved food supplements and unfair business practices.

In four instances, consumers sought advice regarding food supplements. The consultations involved questions about misleading claims on product effectiveness and unclear ingredient listings. Consumers were advised to scrutinize product labels for regulatory compliance and to report any suspected misleading marketing to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, they were guided on how to verify product safety through official health and consumer protection websites.

There were six cases where unfair business practices were the subject of the consultation. These inquiries generally involved aggressive sales techniques and unclear terms of service. The Service Juridique advised consumers to review contracts thoroughly before signing and to make use of their right to withdraw from contracts made under pressure. They were also informed about the legal recourse available under EU consumer rights legislation if businesses refuse to comply with fair practice standards.

Interestingly, fifteen consultations revolved around issues that included both food supplements and unfair business practices, indicating a crossover in concerns. These involved scenarios where consumers faced aggressive marketing tactics in the sale of questionable food supplements. They were recommended to remain vigilant about such sales tactics and were equipped with the knowledge to file complaints if these practices persisted.

All communications channels were actively used throughout the week. Messenger and e-mail were the preferred means, accounting for the majority of the consultations, while a few queries were handled through Reddit and phone. Mastodon saw minimal activity during this period.

In one rare case, a consumer presented an issue outside the scope of our services, relating to real estate taxation; the inquiry was politely redirected, as it did not fall within the remit of consumer protection.

Overall, the Service Juridique effectively provided clear and actionable counsel to consumers, thereby reinforcing consumer rights awareness and assisting in the resolution of multiple issues over the past week.

This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang Maas-Rhein.