Core Viewpoint - The announcement by Qilu Bank highlights the prevalence of illegal financial activities disguised as "high returns, low risk" in the booming financial consumer market, urging consumers to enhance their risk awareness and ability to identify and resist such illegal activities [1][6]. Group 1: Identification of Risks in Financial Consumption - Five major financial consumption areas are identified where illegal activities are prevalent, including: - **Private Investment Intermediaries**: Unapproved financial companies and platforms use popular concepts like "new energy" and "blockchain" to create fictitious investment projects, leading to significant financial losses for consumers [1]. - **Elderly Care Sector**: Scammers exploit the information asymmetry and lower risk awareness of the elderly, promising high returns through schemes like "retirement financial products" and "housing for elderly care," often resulting in fund misappropriation [2]. - **Agricultural Sector**: In rural areas, illegal financial activities appear under the guise of "agricultural cooperatives" and "poverty alleviation projects," targeting farmers' lack of financial knowledge and promising high returns [3]. - **Retail Market**: Some merchants lure consumers with "prepaid card rebates" and "shopping returns," leading to significant financial losses when businesses suddenly close [4]. - **Cultural and Tourism Sector**: Fraudsters use concepts like "tourism real estate" and "cultural digital currency" to package illegal fundraising projects, making it difficult for ordinary consumers to discern legitimacy [5]. Group 2: Consumer Protection Strategies - Four key strategies are recommended for consumers to enhance their self-protection: - **Maintain Rationality**: Consumers should reject offers of "high returns" and be cautious of promises like "capital preservation with high returns," as these often violate financial principles [4]. - **Verify Licensed Operations**: It is crucial for consumers to verify the qualifications of financial service providers and choose those with proper licenses issued by regulatory authorities [5]. - **Avoid Illegal Lending Channels**: Consumers are advised to refrain from clicking on unknown links or transferring money to unfamiliar accounts to avoid falling into illegal lending traps [5]. - **Strengthen Evidence Awareness**: Consumers should keep thorough records of transactions and evidence in case of suspected illegal financial activities, and report any losses to the authorities promptly [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing risks associated with prepaid consumption in sectors such as beauty, fitness, and education, highlighting a recent initiative by a shopping mall in Hangzhou to publicly disclose the lease expiration dates of its prepaid service providers to protect consumers [1][5]. Group 1: Prepaid Consumption Risks - Prepaid consumption, also known as recharge consumption, involves customers paying a certain amount in advance for goods or services, but issues like store closures and business failures often leave consumers struggling to get refunds or assert their rights [5][6]. - A shopping mall in Hangzhou has taken the initiative to publish a list of all prepaid service providers, categorized into education and entertainment sectors, along with their lease expiration dates to inform consumers about potential risks [5][6]. Group 2: Consumer Reactions - Many consumers support the mall's initiative, believing it provides essential information that can help them make informed decisions about prepaid services [5][6]. - A consumer shared a personal experience of losing money on a prepaid course due to a store relocation, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding lease terms [5]. Group 3: Business Perspectives - Some business owners express concerns that publicizing lease expiration dates could negatively impact their operations, as it may reveal sensitive commercial information [5][6]. - A representative from a VR experience store stated that the public disclosure had minimal impact on their business, as most customers are repeat clients [6][7]. Group 4: Regulatory Insights - The local market supervision authority confirmed that the mall's actions were voluntary and not mandated by regulatory requirements, although they support consumer awareness regarding prepaid consumption risks [7][8]. - Legal experts suggest that while the initiative can protect consumer rights, it should be conducted with the consent of the businesses involved to avoid potential legal issues [8].