During the week from November 25, 2024, to December 1, 2024, the Service Juridique provided consultation services through various communication channels, including Reddit, Telegram, video calls, e-mail, and Mastodon. The consultations covered a range of topics concerning consumer rights and protection.

Throughout this week, we handled a total of 14 consultations. A significant number of inquiries were related to unfair practices, with eight cases involving misleading information or statements from businesses. Consumers were advised to gather comprehensive documentation and carefully record all communications with the business in preparation for potential formal complaints.

There were four cases concerning pseudo medicine/health products. Our recommendations focused on verifying the legitimacy of the sellers and products, advising consumers to rely on officially recognized healthcare resources to validate any medical claims.

Banking issues were also prevalent, featuring in seven consultations. Consumers sought guidance on understanding their rights regarding bank fees and services. We advised careful review of their banks’ terms and conditions and encouraged negotiation with their bank while respecting contractual obligations.

In the realm of travelers’ rights, three consultations concerned air travel disruptions, while two focused on train travel. In these cases, consumers were informed about their rights under EU regulations, including information on applying for compensation and required steps following a disruption.

Four consumers sought advice concerning pricing transparency. These individuals were instructed to check businesses’ public pricing policies and report any discrepancies observed between advertised and charged prices.

Fewer inquiries, two in total, involved failure to provide mandatory information, with consumers being advised on the legal requirements for businesses to disclose key information before finalizing a purchase.

Finally, it should be noted that in one exceptional case, the issue reported fell outside the scope of our consumer focus, as it was primarily a taxation matter not pertinent to our mandate.

The consultations throughout the week exemplified the diverse range of concerns consumers face, and the Service Juridique remains committed to providing clear and actionable advice to uphold consumer rights across the European Union.

This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang.