In an era where consumers need more protection than ever—whether from malicious marketing tactics or fraudulent retailers—France’s SignalConso platform has been a lifeline for those needing assistance with purchase- or service-related issues, both online and in-store. This government-created platform also has an English-language version, widening access for those whose French skills may not be up to the task.
Late deliveries, misleading promotions, hidden fees… nearly everyone has dealt with frustrating issues related to goods or services they have purchased at some point.
Since 2020, reporting such issues has been made easy with SignalConso, a platform backed by the Directorate General for Consumer Affairs, Competition and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) that protects French consumers’ rights. Over one million reports have been filed via the platform since its inception, and the service is now continuing to expand its reach through its mobile application, ensuring that users can take action anytime, anywhere.
SignalConso, which is free and accessible to all, is available in both French and English. It empowers consumers to report issues directly to businesses, facilitating dialogue and encouraging resolution without the need for legal action. Whether it’s a store refusing to honour a warranty or an online retailer failing to deliver on time, SignalConso provides a straightforward way to seek redress.
One of the standout features of both the platform and app is its integration with CallbackConso, a hazard alert system for recalled products. By selecting categories of interest, like food, electronics or sports equipment, users can receive real-time notifications about product recalls, ensuring their safety and well-being.
How it works
Using SignalConso is as simple as downloading the app, which is available on both the App Store and Google Play. The user selects a problem category—such as internet purchases, fraud, misleading advertising or banking issues—answers a few guided questions and then submits a report.
Consumers can choose to remain anonymous or allow businesses to contact them directly to resolve the issue. Once a report is filed, businesses are required to respond by indicating their plan of action, which may include issuing a refund or replacing a faulty product. The complainant can then confirm whether the issue has been satisfactorily resolved.
For businesses, SignalConso serves as an opportunity to manage customer issues efficiently and prevent negative online reviews. More than 100,000 companies are registered on the platform, and statistics show that 85% respond to reports within an average of 12 days. With over 300,000 disputes resolved through the platform, SignalConso is proving to be a valuable tool for consumer-business relations.
For more information on the SignalConso app, including the full list of goods and services it covers, click here.
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