Consumer advocate calls for "critical aid" from VZBV
Germany's Top Consumer Advocate Calls for a Consumer Rescue Package
Klaus Müller, Germany's leading consumer advocate, has urged the government to prioritise the needs of consumers in managing the impacts of the Corona pandemic. In a recent statement, Müller called for a consumer rescue package to significantly relieve many people and increase trust in balanced crisis management.
The proposed package includes a revival of the credit moratorium for consumers facing additional job losses and insolvencies, as well as restrictions on advance payments for travel to protect consumers from potential financial losses. Müller also suggested a cap on debt collection fees, describing the current state of the debt collection fee industry as a "modern-day highway robbery" of a multi-billion dollar industry.
Müller's calls for support come after the option to suspend debt servicing, which was introduced in March, has expired. He believes that politics should keep the entire population in mind and not leave consumers to fend for themselves in overcoming the impacts of the pandemic.
Six federal states' consumer protection ministers have previously demanded a "consumer rescue package" from the federal government, which Müller supports. The package, if implemented, could significantly alleviate many people's financial burdens and increase trust in the government's handling of the crisis.
However, a search of recent sources did not reveal any information about a current or proposed consumer rescue package in Germany. Earlier in the pandemic, Germany implemented various support measures, but no updated package has been cited in these recent sources.
Müller's suggestions for support also include a cap on debt collection fees to curb the "modern-day highway robbery" in the industry. He argues that while the government has provided support for some companies and industries, it's now time to specifically support consumers who have suffered financial losses due to the pandemic.
As of now, the federal government has yet to announce a consumer rescue package, despite demands from consumer protection ministers from six federal states. Müller's calls for restrictions on advance payments for travel and a revival of the credit moratorium aim to increase trust in balanced crisis management and significantly relieve many people.
The six federal states' consumer protection ministers, along with Germany's leading consumer advocate, Klaus Müller, have advocated for a consumer rescue package to alleviate financial burdens and increase trust in crisis management. This proposed package includes restrictions on advance payments for travel, a revival of the credit moratorium, and a cap on debt collection fees, which Müller described as necessary to protect consumers from exorbitant fees.
