SignalConso: a mobile application for the site that protects consumers

SignalConso is a free public service of the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs, Competition and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF).

Consumers can report problems with companies on the online reporting platform, available in French and in English.

With just a few clicks, you can escalate a problem encountered during a purchase or a contract: late delivery, difficulty in getting reimbursed, false promotions, refusal of guarantee, unfair clauses, price not displayed, etc.

SignalConso, for what?

The objectives of SignalConso are to:

• to provide a forum for dialog between consumers and traders;
• enable the trader to find an amicable solution;
• accompany the consumer in his steps: to clarify his rights and direct him to the appropriate interlocutor (ReplyConso, call and mail processing center of the DGCCRF, consumer association, consumer ombudsman, justice, etc.);
• allow the DGCCRF to identify recurring reports and thus better target its controls.

For the professional, it is a space to directly manage a problem with dissatisfied customers and limit negative reviews on the internet.

SignalConso Mobile application

SignalConso is also available on smartphone with a free mobile application, available on the App Store and Play Store, which allows more responsiveness in the steps. It offers user paths adapted to the mobile. It meets accessibility standards for visually impaired persons.

In addition, CallbackConso, the Hazardous Products Alert Site, joined the application SignalConso. Product recalls are accessible from your application by selecting the “Reminders” tab at the bottom right of your screen.

How does it work on the site and on the application?

Have you encountered a problem with a professional, a business, a store or on the Internet?

Here is the approach:

1. Indicate the problem encountered among the proposed themes:

• in-store purchase;
• buying on the internet;
• internet (excluding shopping);
• improper canvassing;
• works/renovations;
• telephony/internet/media provider;
• public transport/travel/leisure;
• banking/insurance/mutual;
• café/restaurant;
• car/bicycle, other vehicles;
• services to individuals;
• water/gas/electricity;
• real estate;
• administrative procedures;
• food poisoning;
• health sector;
• animals.

2. A series of questions will help answer your problem more precisely. You can optionally add attachments. You have the choice of remaining anonymous vis-à-vis the professional (if you have decided to transmit your contact details, the merchant can answer you directly).

3. Specify if you want to:

• solve your personal problem with the company;
• Report a problem with a professional to improve it
• inform you of your rights in the event of a dispute (in this case, a DGCCRF advisor will contact you).

4. Identify the company and fill in your contact information in order to be kept informed.

5. Your application is registered. The DGCCRF will inform you of the status of your application:

• you receive a notification from the DGCCRF of the filing of the report;
• it shall then inform you when the trader has taken note of your alert;
• if the government is slow to respond, it will revive it.

The report is recorded in the DGCCRF database (even if not a formal referral). In the event of too many reports or if the problem is considered serious by the investigators, the fraud can be dealt with or monitored more closely by the professional concerned.