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Energy companies in Australia are promoting a crowdfunding app called HelpPay as a solution for struggling individuals to pay their bills. The rising cost of living has led to an increase in calls to the National Debt Helpline, with energy bills being a major source of stress. HelpPay allows users to upload their bills and generate a link for others to contribute payments. However, experts are concerned that this platform may shift the burden of unaffordable energy bills onto consumers, and they recommend accessing financial hardship policies, incentives, and financial counsellors instead. [Extracted from the article]

The article provides tips for smart shopping during the post-Christmas sales season. It advises shoppers to be realistic about the limited options and suitability of discounted clothes and shoes, and suggests keeping an eye on sales throughout the year. For kitchen appliances, buyers are encouraged to consider their actual need for the item and to check specific features before purchasing. The article also warns about scams on websites impersonating major brands, the potential pitfalls of extended warranties, the impact of overseas prices and shipping costs, and the importance of checking for product safety standards. It concludes by highlighting consumer rights and protections under the Australian Consumer Law. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the need for more support from telecommunications companies for victims of family violence. The Australian government plans to implement an enforceable industry standard through the Australian Communications and Media Authority to better protect telco customers experiencing domestic and family violence. This initiative aims to address the shortcomings of voluntary guidelines and the Telecommunication Consumer Protection Code in providing consistent protection for vulnerable individuals. The new industry standard will include regulated safeguards to ensure that victims of family violence receive appropriate assistance and support from their telecommunications providers. [Extracted from the article]

CPRC's sweep found that the shoe retailer, Brand House Direct, offers two options on the email subscription pop-up as soon as you enter its website. CPRC found that when someone is buying a washing machine online, appliance retailer Appliances Online automatically adds a $160 extended warranty to the online cart. Chandni Gupta is the Digital Policy Director at the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) - an independent, nonprofit, consumer think tank where she leads the research stream on protecting consumers in a digital world. Bytesize Dark patterns are deceptive design features in websites and apps that influence consumer behaviour Many of these features slip through the gaps in consumer laws The ACCC has announced it will crack down on dark patterns Imagine you're out shopping, but before you can even enter the store, you're asked to share your personal information. [Extracted from the article]

Some businesses are requiring consumers to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in order to receive a refund, repair, or replacement. These NDAs effectively keep issues with a product or service hidden from other customers. A survey conducted by CHOICE found that 41 Australian consumers had been asked to sign an NDA in the past five years. However, consumers have the right to a refund, repair, or replacement without having to promise confidentiality. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has expressed concern about the widespread use of NDAs and supports the introduction of a law that would require businesses to follow their obligations under the Australian Consumer Law. [Extracted from the article]

How to spot a fake review CHOICE research has found that 83% of consumers turn to the internet when looking into which products to buy, and nearly 40% read user reviews as part of their research. And while the website may look legitimate with the brand's logo at the top, featured products and secure payment options available, the reality is it's likely a scam or the sunglasses are fake. They say information is power - and that's true for shoppers researching new products or looking for the best deal. [Extracted from the article]

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has accused tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook, of allowing more than half of the cryptocurrency-related ads on its platform to be scams or in violation of company policies. The ACCC claims that Meta has been aware of this issue since at least January 2018. Some of these fraudulent ads even used the names of public figures to promote the scams. The article suggests that digital platforms like Facebook need to take more responsibility in protecting consumers from scam ads, but acknowledges that they may not do so without government intervention. [Extracted from the article]

Australia's consumer protections for travelers have been lacking and difficult to enforce, leading to mass flight cancellations and delays, poor customer service, and difficulties obtaining refunds or using flight credits. CHOICE, an organization advocating for consumer rights, has campaigned for improved protections for travelers and criticized the industry-run 'Airline Customer Advocate' and Qantas for their handling of consumer complaints. The government has now announced a new independent ombuds scheme and clearer airline customer rights, including refund and compensation entitlements, as part of the Aviation White Paper. These reforms are a result of the efforts of thousands of people who shared their stories and signed a petition for stronger travel protections. CHOICE will continue to campaign for further improvements. [Extracted from the article]

CHOICE, an organization advocating for consumer rights in Australia, has delivered a petition to the Prime Minister, Treasurer, and Attorney General, signed by over 32,000 people, urging the government to implement stronger privacy protections. The organization argues that current privacy laws are outdated and do not adequately protect consumers from the exploitation of their data by companies. They are calling for reforms that would require businesses to handle consumer data fairly and responsibly, and to provide greater protection for personal information. CHOICE believes that these changes are necessary to address the harm caused by recent data breaches and the increasing reliance on online transactions. [Extracted from the article]

The federal government of Australia has released draft legislation to reform the country's merger rules in order to promote competition and productivity in the economy. The proposed legislation aims to simplify and expedite the merger approval process, while also granting the regulator stronger powers to scrutinize transactions that may pose a risk to competition, consumers, and the economy. The changes are intended to allow the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to more effectively identify market power and safeguard consumers from anti-competitive mergers. If passed, the new system will come into effect on January 1, 2026. [Extracted from the article]

Telstra, a telecommunications company in Australia, has been fined $1.5 million for failing to protect consumers from SIM-swap scams. These scams involve scammers tricking telco providers into switching a victim's SIM card to one controlled by them, resulting in potential loss of personal information and life savings. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that Telstra did not follow the new customer ID authentication rules introduced in 2022, which require telcos to use multi-factor authentication for high-risk customer interactions. ACMA member Samantha Yorke stated that Telstra's conduct put thousands of customers at risk and that it was unacceptable for the company to not have proper systems in place. [Extracted from the article]

A recent poll conducted by Essential Media has found that the majority of Australians believe that banks should do more to protect them from scams. Specifically, 75% of respondents expect the government to require banks to refund customers if their money is not kept safe. Additionally, 76% of people believe that if banks were forced to reimburse scam victims, they would be more motivated to prevent scams. The poll also revealed that 88% of Australians fear falling victim to scams due to their increasing sophistication. However, CEO Stephanie Tonkin of the Consumer Action Law Centre argues that banks are not doing enough to protect consumers, placing the burden on customers to avoid scams. The government plans to introduce legislation to address this issue, but only 32% of respondents are optimistic about the effectiveness of Australia's anti-scam legislation. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the issue of buy now, pay later (BNPL) products and the lack of consumer protections associated with them due to a legal loophole. The government has introduced legislation to regulate BNPL as credit, which would provide users with key consumer safeguards. While the legislation is not perfect, it aims to address issues such as assistance in cases of hardship, protections from irresponsible lending, and the right to resolve disputes for free. The prevalence of BNPL in Australia has been increasing, and passing these laws would help reduce the risk of financial hardship for users. [Extracted from the article]

New laws are set to be implemented in Australia in 2026 that will subject proposed company mergers to increased scrutiny. The aim of these reforms is to protect consumers and businesses from monopolistic behavior. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has expressed support for the proposed changes, as they are intended to promote genuine competition in the Australian marketplace. The current merger regime in Australia does not require companies to notify the ACCC of proposed acquisitions or wait for ACCC clearance before proceeding. The reforms would introduce a mandatory notification requirement for mergers above certain thresholds and prevent mergers from proceeding without a determination from the ACCC or Tribunal. [Extracted from the article]

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has taken action against two phone service providers, Urban Telecom and Star Telecom, for their poor training practices and improper customer transfers. The ACMA found that Urban Telecom did not adequately train its sales representatives in selling telecommunications products responsibly and did not keep accurate records of customer consent for service transfers. Star Telecom was warned for transferring customers without consent or failing to provide evidence of customer agreement. Both companies have been directed to comply with the telecommunications consumer protections (TCP) code or face penalties of up to $250,000. [Extracted from the article]

Telcos in Australia are now required to adhere to new rules set by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to better protect and support customers facing financial hardship. The rules expand the definition of financial hardship and oblige telcos to offer at least six different options for customers in need, such as payment plans. ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin states that these rules address gaps in financial support for telco consumers and emphasize the need for telcos to identify those in need of assistance and provide a wider range of support options. The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) CEO Andrew Williams welcomes the announcement, stating that the increased protections are a positive step forward for consumer rights. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the increasing prevalence of scams on digital platforms, such as accommodation booking sites. It highlights the need for these platforms to take more responsibility in protecting consumers from scams, as they have the means and expertise to do so. The government has proposed obligations on digital platforms in relation to scams, but the article argues that the rules need to be stronger and backed by significant penalties to be effective. The current proposed definition of a digital platform is considered too narrow, leaving consumers exposed and without the necessary protections. [Extracted from the article]

A joint submission by CHOICE and the Consumers' Federation of Australia (CFA) for the government's Aviation Green Paper highlighted the challenges faced by consumers in the aviation industry. A survey of almost 9000 CHOICE supporters revealed that two in five respondents had experienced a cancelled or delayed flight in the past year, with 65% not given a reason for the cancellation. Refunds for flight cancellations were also a source of frustration, with 47% receiving it within one month and 20% waiting over six months. CHOICE hopes that the federal government's Aviation White Paper, set to be released in mid-2024, will address these issues and strengthen consumer protections in the industry. [Extracted from the article]

Australian consumer advocacy group CHOICE, along with other consumer organizations, has called for a ban on unfair business practices in Australia. They argue that current consumer laws are inadequate and do not address issues such as subscription traps and unfair pricing. The group has submitted a proposal to the government, which includes a general ban on unfair trade practices and a specified list of prohibited practices. They also recommend that penalties and remedies be available for breaches of these laws. CHOICE believes that implementing these measures would protect consumers and create a fairer marketplace. [Extracted from the article]

5 It has unusual payment methods Scamwatch states that one of the biggest red flags for a scam website is how it accepts payment. 7 It's an Australian site with no ABN Australian websites should provide users with an Australian Business Number (ABN) which you can use to check that it's a legitimate business. Increasingly sophisticated scammers continue to devise impressive retailer websites to dupe consumers into believing they're buying goods online from legitimate businesses. [Extracted from the article]

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has taken CAM Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd to Federal Court, accusing the company of delaying its membership with the state's energy ombudsman. CAM Engineering supplies electricity to the Cooranbong Gardens retirement village and is allowed to sell and supply electricity to residents through an embedded network. However, the AER claims that the company took 16 months to join the ombudsman scheme, depriving residents of their rights. The AER emphasizes the importance of complying with conditions to protect consumers and prevent harm in an environment of rising prices and financial hardship. [Extracted from the article]

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has directed two telcos, Twilio Inc. and Vonage Business Inc., to comply with anti-scam laws after finding that they had allowed scammers to send text messages impersonating major brands. The ACMA alleges that Vonage Business Inc. allowed scammers to send over 3000 text messages impersonating the Commonwealth Bank, Apple Pay, and Australia Post. The regulator found that both companies had failed to properly protect consumers by allowing users to send bulk SMS messages without sufficient checks to prevent scams. The ACMA has previously issued similar warnings to four other telcos and penalties of up to $250,000 can be imposed for non-compliance with the law. [Extracted from the article]

The government of Australia has proposed new regulations for the cryptocurrency sector, aiming to bring it under the purview of financial services laws. The proposal includes requirements for crypto exchanges and digital asset platforms to hold an Australian financial services license and enforce minimum standards for holding and transacting in tokens. These regulations are intended to address concerns about consumer protections and the risk of platform collapses. A national survey conducted by CHOICE in 2022 found that many Australians are unsure about the protections offered in cryptocurrency trading and believe that such protections should be in place. [Extracted from the article]

"There is no place for racism in society - we will support any tenant who can provide evidence to help us shine a spotlight on hidden and often hard-to-prove racist behaviour in the industry", Commissioner Trish Blake says. Consumer Protection Western Australia says it will stand behind any tenant calling out racism in the state's real estate industry. [Extracted from the article]

"CHOICE and the CFA recommend the federal government introduce minimum consumer protections for airlines and establish an independent travel and tourism industry ombudsman to replace the Airline Customer Advocate. CHOICE and the Consumers' Federation Australia (CFA) gave evidence at the Senate Select Committe on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements in mid-September. [Extracted from the article]

ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court says the regulator "believes that this credit model has been designed to avoid consumer protection laws so as to enable these companies to charge significant fees to consumers, many of whom are vulnerable and in financial distress". Consumer rights groups have called Cigno's "no upfront charge loan model" the most damaging debt trap on the payday loan market. In early October, ASIC took payday lender Cigno Australia, its director Mark Swanepoel and subsidiary company BHF Solutions to court for providing loans to over 100,000 customers that were laden with over-the-top fees, often exceeding 600% of the loan amount. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses various issues related to the life expectancy of appliances in Australia as of November 2018. These issues include the factors that must be considered when determining whether to repair or replace an appliance, manufacturers' practice of planned obsolescence to force consumers to buy new ones, and the things to check if it is cheaper to replace the appliance.

The article investigates the rights of customers in Australia when buying online from an overseas seller. Topics mentioned include the need for companies that sell into the country to comply with the Australian Consumer Law, signs for Australian consumers to look for when navigating the online purchase, such as drip pricing, international transaction fees, and credit card surcharges, and the options to consider when receiving a faulty product.

Meanwhile in Victoria, scalping tickets to the Melbourne show was totally legal because the Victorian government had seemingly forgotten to list the Swift concert as a "declared major event", which is necessary to trigger anti-ticket scalping protections. As soon as limited presale tickets went on sale, the ticket scalping began. The Sydney show was supposedly protected by the New South Wales anti-ticket scalping legislation which prohibits reselling tickets for more than 10% above the purchase price. [Extracted from the article]

Recently, we've seen a growing number of suspected scam websites advertised on the social platforms Google, Facebook and Instagram. When you click through, many of the websites look almost identical to official websites, but have some tell-tale red flags such as steep discounts and URLs that are slightly different to the legitimate URL. [Extracted from the article]

As cost of living pressures mount, people in Australia continue to lose time and money to these unfair practices. It's time for the government to fix this gap in the law and bring Australia up to speed with consumer protections. [Extracted from the article]

The Federal Court has found that lenders Cigno and BHF Solutions engaged in credit activities without a licence, in a case that was brought by the corporate regulator ASIC. "ASIC expects that Cigno and BHF Solutions will notify any affected consumers to ensure they are not paying any fees or charges covered by the injunctions. In one example presented by ASIC, a borrower with a $200 loan that they repaid in two months ended up paying $177.75 in fees to BHF Solutions and Cigno. [Extracted from the article]

In July, the Albanese Government announced a change to the way the telco hardship support rules work, elevating the obligation to "direct and enforceable regulation". Telecommunications providers have an obligation to offer customers who are having trouble paying their bills a payment pian they can manage. [Extracted from the article]

A body made up of leaders from government, industry and consumer organisations has begun convening monthly to support and inform the work of the ACCC's new anti-scam watchdog. Members of the committee include heads of industry groups, law enforcement representatives, victim support advocates, and leaders of consumer organisations, including CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland. "The National Anti-Scam Centre's Advisory Board will enable government to work with key industry sectors and consumer organisations to identify emerging scam and fraud issues, share information and coordinate our efforts to better protect consumers", says ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe. [Extracted from the article]

Consumer advocates and industry ombudsmen have joined forces to push for stronger regulation of the telco sector, declaring current rules unfit for purpose and calling for a registration scheme for companies. The appeal comes after the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) released a report criticising industry-made codes and guidelines, arguing they were leading to telcos not meeting the needs and expectations of customers. [Extracted from the article]

Both dark patterns and subscription traps are examples of unfair trading, which refers to business models that manipulate or take advantage of consumers. The Federal Trade Commission, the agency that enforces federal consumer protection laws in the United States, is suing Amazon. US Federal Trade Commission sues Amazon over Prime "dark patterns". [Extracted from the article]

Insurance company IAG has been handed a $40 million fine after the Federal Court found it had failed to pass on promised pricing discounts to customers of NRMA-branded insurance products. "IAL used a specific pricing algorithm that limited the discounts [that] renewing customers could receive, ensuring their premiums did not fall below a certain price point. [Extracted from the article]

Government announces "balanced" BNPL reforms "Financial counsellors will be worried that the government's approach will not be enough to protect vulnerable consumers from the harm of BNPL", says FCA CEO Fiona Guthrie. The federal government has announced long-awaited reforms to bring buy now, pay later (BNPL) companies under the credit act, mandating responsible lending obligations and hardship requirements. [Extracted from the article]

Calling the new centre its "primary weapon to detect, disrupt and deter scammers and tackle online fraud", the government allocated $58 million to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to set up the NASC over the next two years. Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and hard to spot, and the launch of the NASC is a critical first step towards protecting consumers from the escalating risks of scams. Australians lost more than $3 billion to scams in 2022 - an 80% increase from the previous year - so the launch of the federal government's new National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) couldn't come soon enough. [Extracted from the article]

Telstra breached consumer protection laws, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). In July 2022, Telstra restricted the service of more than 5400 customers due to non-payment of bills, but did so without providing the minimum five working days' notice, as required by the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code. Telstra was issued a formal warning for violating the rule, which ACMA says is an important part of protecting Australians undergoing financial hardship. [Extracted from the article]

But events in recent years, including the pandemic, have revealed a number of flaws in consumer protection within the aviation sector. This is an opportunity to restore consumer confidence and trust in the aviation industry, which is critical to the growth of the sector and will benefit the community and the economy. [Extracted from the article]

Last month, consumer groups and financial counsellors warned consumers about the harm being caused by buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans ahead of "Afterpay Day" - a national marketing blitz by the major BNPL provider. Until these loopholes are closed, consumers should know that discounts and special offers can lure them into debt and should take extra care when using these loans. Discounts and special offers, like those promoted during Afterpay Day, encourage people to take out loans that can leave them trapped in a cycle of debt, as repayments and late fees mount. [Extracted from the article]

She says this is risky, especially as the BNPL loans may be invisible to the lender's responsible lending assessments if they took place after the main purchase. Predatory use of BNPL Roberta Grealish, principal solicitor at CCLSWA, says Steve's case highlights a predatory use of BNPL to exploit vulnerable customers. "Steve's case reflects predatory behaviour on the part of the dealership, to circumvent responsible lending laws by deliberately arranging a BNPL for the add-on warranty, to reduce the total amount required as a regulated car loan", she tells CHOICE. [Extracted from the article]

WA's Commerce Minister Sue Ellery launched an awareness campaign to highlight the protections available to pet owners, saying it's "important for Western Australians to know that they have rights when they buy a new pet, like they would with any other purchase". Western Australia's consumer protection agency is urging pet buyers to get familiar with their consumer rights following a spike in complaints about animal purchases. "To make sure your new pet comes with consumer guarantees, be sure to purchase from reputable local breeders or pet stores, as consumer guarantees do not apply to ad-hoc, one-off purchases from a private seller", she says. [Extracted from the article]

The full regulation of the BNPL industry now has widespread support from a number of banks, industry groups, consumer advocates, charities, community groups, legal centres, family violence organisations, financial counselling practitioners and others. This February, it was revealed that national banks including ANZ and Westpac, and industry groups including the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia and the Australian Retail Credit Association, support bringing BNPL providers under the full regulation of the National Credit Act. At the end of last year, the Federal Treasury called for submissions into the regulation of buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans. [Extracted from the article]

This provision would prohibit businesses from engaging in unfair trading practices and is a missing link in consumer protection in Australia. We've called on the federal government to pass landmark reforms to the Australian Consumer Law, including legislating a new provision banning unfair trading. CHOICE has written to the federal government calling for consumer protection to be a priority for the upcoming 2023-24 Federal Budget. [Extracted from the article]

Western Australia authorities are warning second-hand car buyers to beware of lemon vehicles, saying high demand for used cars in the state is attracting vendors looking to off-load disaster-damaged models. "The strong demand has enticed some sellers to off-load vehicles that may be defective, but unsuspecting buyers may not find out until it's too late", says Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake. Anyone who has purchased a lemon used vehicle is urged to ask the seller for a remedy and then approach Consumer Protection if the vendor is not cooperating. [Extracted from the article]

Each time CHOICE supporters like you signed a petition, made a donation or answered a survey, you helped make our society more fair, safe and just for everyone. Last year the hard-fought mandatory button battery standard came into effect to protect children from injury; Tinder backed down on age-based price discrimination; we got tougher penalties for companies that break a number of consumer laws; an investigation was launched into the use of facial recognition by Australian retailers; and new safety standards were introduced for tricycle strollers. [Extracted from the article]