Free consumer advice in Kiel-Gaarden: End after just one year!

Free consumer advice in Kiel-Gaarden: End after just one year!

Vinetaplatz, 24143 Kiel, Deutschland - It is bubbling in Schleswig-Holstein! The consumer advice center, which has been offering free consultations for people with low incomes since January 2024, is facing out! Despite the enormous demand, the project, which helps, especially with cell phone contracts, online shopping and energy issues, will be set at the end of the year. The shock message meets many who rely on this support, such as the desperate Ukrainian Xenia, who unknowingly signed two mobile phone contracts and is now faced with invoices of several hundred euros.

The neighborhood work, which took place in cities such as Kiel, Flensburg and Lübeck, was launched to offer socially disadvantaged people to offer low -threshold advice. Over 6,200 people have made use of this offer! But the joy does not last long: The Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection has now announced that it will delete the funding after only one year. The consumer center was optimistic that the neighborhood work could be continued in the long term, but the sudden decision leaves the employees at a loss. From 2025 there will be no free advice - instead, help seekers have to dig deep into the pockets for appointments in the offices of the consumer center.

a dramatic setback for those seeking help

The consultant Tina Zymni is frustrated with the situation. "People often sign contracts that they do not understand," she explains. Xenia is only an example of many who fall into the trap of overpriced mobile phone contracts due to a lack of knowledge of German. Zymni offers to put on a letter of cancellation for you - the chances of success are not bad, because many providers are accommodating if you receive mail from the consumer advice center. But the question remains: What happens to all the others who rely on this important support? Time is pushing and the uncertainty is growing!