Consumer protection
Bank customers should get more rights from the overdraft facility
With online purchases, there is often the possibility to pay later. So that this does not lead to the debt trap directly, new regulations should apply here in the future.
Those who override their account should be better protected from enforcement in the future. This provides for a draft of the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection published on Monday. After that, the bank should no longer be able to cancel the bank with direct effect, but with a notice period of at least two months. Before he initiates the enforcement to the incorporation of his claim, the lender must also offer the amount used in twelve equal monthly rates to repay the agreed interest rate.
No definition of the amount of overdraft interest
The overdraft facility offers short -term financial flexibility, but with its comparatively high interest rates are one of the most expensive credit forms. According to the coalition agreement, the CDU, CSU and SPD want to check “whether cost ducts for basic accounts and overdraft facilities are required to enforce appropriate market -free charges or should be recorded on the previous legal situation”.
The draft of Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) is not mentioned. From the ministry it says that a careful examination is necessary to avoid over -regulation. Because this could possibly restrict access to overdraft facilities. Since the EU consumer protection guideline had to be implemented in national law by November 20, one wanted to treat this separately.
Clear information for consumers
The draft stipulates, among other things, that regulations that are intended to protect consumers should also apply to free loans and loans under 200 euros in the future, as well as for so-called “Buy-now-Pay-Later” models, in which the purchase price will only be debited from the account at a later date. So that providers and buyers are not overwhelmed, a clear, scarce information sheet with all important information is provided.
No health data for credit examination
In order to better protect consumers from over -indebtedness, new guidelines are also planned for the testing of creditworthiness. The draft also provides that information from social networks and particularly sensitive data – such as health data – must not be included in such exams.
“Our goal is clear: more protection for consumers in credit contracts – without avoidable bureaucratic ballast,” says Hubig. Because quickly concluded credit contracts could be a risk in individual cases – “in the worst case, such contracts lead to debt trap”.
dpa
Source: Stern
