During the week from February 10, 2025, to February 16, 2025, the Service Juridique assisted with a total of 27 consumer consultations through various communication channels. The main platforms for these consultations were e-mail, video call, and messenger, with occasional interactions via reddit and mastodon.

The predominant issues revolved around unfair practice, specifically misleading information or statements provided by businesses. This topic was addressed in 14 different cases. Consumers were advised to gather and document any misleading materials and communication as evidence, and to approach the business with a formal complaint requesting a resolution. Where necessary, they were guided on how to proceed with resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Another significant area of concern was unfair general terms and conditions. In nine instances, consumers reported terms that appeared unreasonably burdensome or one-sided. Our advice typically included an examination of these terms to assess their fairness under EU consumer law, followed by guidance on challenging these terms directly with the service provider.

There were seven cases concerning failure to provide mandatory information. In such scenarios, consumers were counseled to contact the business to request the missing information, explaining their rights under consumer protection laws and seeking the missing details to make informed decisions.

One consultation fell outside our scope, where the issue involved taxation on real estate, as this does not pertain to consumer protection within the EU. In this case, we informed the consumer politely about the limitation in our scope and recommended they seek advice from a professional specializing in taxation or consult with their local tax authority for further assistance.

Throughout the week, our team remained diligent in ensuring consumers were educated on their rights, assisting them in crafting effective complaints, and empowering them to advocate for themselves in resolving disputes with businesses. This structured approach supports consumers in navigating the complexities of unfair practices, ensuring they are equipped to handle these challenges independently.

This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang.