Which of the following would NOT be classified as a vulnerable consumer under the Consumer Protection Code?

• A. Paulo immigrant with poor English
• B. Jean poor credit history
• C. Dermot earns over €115,000 per annum
• D. Mark brain haemorrhage

Answer: (C)

Under the Consumer Protection Code, a vulnerable consumer is someone who, because of personal circumstances such as language barriers, health issues, disability, or financial hardship, may be more susceptible to pressure, misunderstanding, or poor decisions about financial products. Earning a high income by itself does not indicate vulnerability; it signals financial capacity rather than susceptibility.

The immigrant with poor English could struggle to understand terms and disclosures, making them vulnerable. The person with a brain haemorrhage may have impaired judgment or decision-making capacity, also vulnerability. The individual with a poor credit history faces challenges and pressures in obtaining or managing credit, which can create vulnerability in financial dealings. The high-income individual does not exhibit these vulnerability factors, so they would not be classified as a vulnerable consumer.