The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) received a total of 4,116 complaints and submissions during the first six months of 2026, representing an increase of 50.7% compared to the same period last year, when 2,732 submissions were received.
The sharp increase in the number of submissions for the second consecutive year indicates both consumers’ growing awareness of their rights and increasing access to digital solutions for filing complaints.
CRPC Director Zaiga Liepiņa:
“The CRPC has become more accessible to a larger share of consumers, as it is now genuinely simple and quick to prepare and electronically sign an application and submit it via the institution’s official e-address. We can see that consumers are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools when preparing submissions, which significantly facilitates the drafting process. At the same time, we have observed that these tools occasionally make substantial content-related errors. Therefore, we are currently developing artificial intelligence models that will help consumers prepare higher-quality documents when approaching the CRPC.”
Most Complaints Continue to Concern Air Travel, Parking Services and Financial Services
As in previous years, a significant proportion of submissions relate to air passenger rights. Consumers contacted the CRPC regarding delayed and cancelled flights, denied boarding, baggage-related issues, and compensation that had remained unpaid for extended periods. In total, the CRPC received 436 complaints from air passengers.
It is important to note that the number of complaints regarding financial services and debt collection has doubled, from 243 complaints in the first half of last year to 493 complaints in the first half of this year. This increase is linked to decisions adopted by the CRPC concerning the assessment of consumers’ creditworthiness.
Problems in the parking services sector also remain a significant issue. Despite the memorandum concluded with industry representatives on 10 November 2025, the CRPC continues to receive a large number of complaints regarding contractual penalties imposed by parking operators and the subsequent transfer of claims to debt collection companies. In total, 237 complaints were received concerning parking service providers.
An increase has also been observed in complaints related to the purchase of both used and new vehicles. Most complaints concern the technical condition of vehicles, hidden defects, incomplete or misleading information about a vehicle’s history, and difficulties in holding traders accountable after the purchase.
During the first half of this year, consumers suffered substantial financial losses due to furniture retailers that failed to deliver purchased goods and did not provide refunds. Losses were also caused by concert organisers, as several events were cancelled and consumers did not receive reimbursement for their tickets.
In addition to formally submitted complaints, the CRPC has observed a growing number of complaints on social media concerning advertisements for alcohol, smoking products, and food supplements.
Despite the increasing workload, the CRPC was able to assist consumers in 71% of cases by providing advice, helping to resolve disputes, or referring submissions to the competent authority.
Consumers Are Increasingly Interested in Their Rights
During the first half of the year, the CRPC provided 16,351 consultations, nearly two thousand more than during the same period a year earlier.
With regard to goods, consumers most frequently sought advice on their rights when purchasing used cars, electronic and ICT products, and footwear.
In relation to services, consumers were most interested in their rights regarding property management services, electronic communications services, credit services, and parking services.
The CRPC emphasises that consumer engagement and willingness to report infringements are essential for promoting fair business practices. At the same time, the CRPC encourages consumers to carefully assess the reliability of traders before making purchases, review contractual terms and conditions, and seek advice from the CRPC in a timely manner whenever uncertainties arise.