French consumer protection initiatives

On 27 July 2026 the French pension authority (Carsat) was granted limited legal access to the state‑run FIcoba banking database to confirm the name, branch address, account holder and product type of pension beneficiaries. The aim was to verify that payments are sent to correct accounts and to enable suspension of disbursements when inconsistencies arise. The same announcement included new consumer‑protection guidance on filing complaints about abusive direct‑debit withdrawals, outlining documentation steps, refund timelines of up to 13 months and free recourse through the DGCCRF and consumer organisations.

The following day, 28 July 2026, France released two separate advisory guides. The first explained mobile‑number portability, describing how users obtain a RIO code (by dialing 3179) and how new carriers handle contract termination to preserve the subscriber’s phone number. The second guide advised consumers who encounter unfamiliar bank debits, recommending verification of the transaction’s origin, understanding the difference between opposition (pre‑charge), contestation (post‑charge) and revocation, and the appropriate timing for each action.

Together, the snapshots show a short‑term push by French authorities to expand practical guidance and procedural tools for citizens facing issues in both financial payments and telecom services, reinforcing state oversight and consumer rights.