SignalConso helps French consumers report professional misconduct

SignalConso is a free public service in France designed to help consumers report issues encountered with professionals, whether in-store or online. The platform covers various sectors, including retail, delivery, banking, insurance, and home services. Once a report is submitted, the company is notified and may provide an explanation or corrective action. These reports are also recorded by the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF).

Recent 2024 data from the DGCCRF highlights significant issues within the home repair sector. In inspections of over 600 home repair professionals, anomalies were found in more than 60% of cases. Specifically, in the locksmith industry, authorities recorded over 2,600 reports on SignalConso and 64 criminal reports.

Regulations require professionals to provide detailed written estimates (devis) even in emergency situations. These estimates must include the company identity, nature of work, hourly rates, parts costs, travel fees, and any surcharges for nights or weekends. Failure to provide transparent pricing or discrepancies between the estimate and the final invoice are considered deceptive commercial practices.