Top court acts to protect consumer rights

China's top court has urged courts nationwide to crack down on companies that lure customers into prepaid purchases without delivering services, aiming to strengthen consumer protections and promote business integrity.

The Supreme People's Court issued a 27-article judicial interpretation on handling civil cases involving prepaid consumption on the eve of World Consumer Rights Day, which takes place on March 15 each year. The move responds to public concerns and seeks to ensure the healthy development of advance payment models, said Chen Yifang, chief judge of the court's First Civil Division, at a news conference on Friday.

For years, disputes have arisen when prepaid service providers — such as gyms, beauty salons and educational institutions — shut down or cease operations after consumers have already purchased services or recharged their membership cards.