Complaints Archives - Page 6 of 7 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

4 February , 2019

Labor proposes ‘super complaints’ policy

The Australian Labor Party has announced a proposed ‘super complaint’ function for our consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Under the proposal, a ‘super complaint’ from designated consumer or small business groups about consumer or competition issues would require the ACCC to investigate and make a public response, including its proposed action,…

30 January , 2019

Check Up On Retailers Before You Checkout Online

Consumers are being warned to exercise extra caution when buying online, with new figures revealing a jump in complaints about online purchases in the last financial year. Consumer Affairs Victoria received 8,957 online shopping reports in 2017-18 – up 12 per cent from the previous financial year. Goods not being supplied or only partially supplied…

16 January , 2019

Insurers wasting opportunities to learn from complaints

Breaches of complaints standards by insurance companies more than doubled to 4,079 in 2017–18, according to an audit released today by the General Insurance Code Governance Committee (CGC). These breaches amount to more than one-third (35%) of the total Code breaches by subscribing insurers. The Independent Chair of the CGC, Lynelle Briggs AO, said consumer…

18 December , 2018

Telcos directed to comply with complaints-handling rules

Thirty-one telcos face enforcement action for not having appropriately documented complaints-handling processes in place following investigations by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The ACMA investigated 41 telcos to assess their compliance with new requirements, in place since 1 July 2018, to have a documented complaints-handling process available for their customers. Following the investigations: only…

15 November , 2018

ACCAN welcomes new complaint powers for telco customers

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes today’s release of the Federal Government’s report on Complaints Handling and Consumer Redress in the telecommunications industry. As Australia’s peak body representing telecommunications consumers, ACCAN has argued that better regulation in telecommunications is needed to safeguard the interests of consumers. The Government’s report acknowledges this need. “We…

17 October , 2018

Phone and internet complaints turning a corner

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has published its 2017-2018 Annual Report today (17 October 2018). Launching the report, Ombudsman Judi Jones said, “The number of complaints about telecommunications services in Australia appear to be turning a corner. “Declining complaints across all landline, mobile and internet services are a positive indicator of recent industry, government and regulator efforts…

30 August , 2018

Consumer complaints electrify in July

Electronic gadget retailers have dominated the July NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register, with a total of nine electronic companies featuring on the monthly list. Kogan and Samsung took out the top two spots, with 42 and 33 complaints, followed by Harvey Norman with 31. Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the majority of complaints…

3 August , 2018

Consumer rights extend to the grave

Grieving families are increasingly being taken advantage of when planning a funeral, with the number of complaints to NSW Fair Trading jumping to record levels. It prompted a warning from Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean, who said consumers should know their rights when choosing a funeral package, to avoid dodgy operators who don’t properly…

1 August , 2018

Electronics retailers slammed on Complaints Register

Mobile phone and electronics retailers have been given a big thumbs down from consumers, claiming the top four spots on the latest NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register. Samsung Electronics topped the list with 42 complaints, while Kogan (35 complaints), Apple (33), and Android Enjoyed (26), rounded out the top four. Minister for Better Regulation Matt…

24 July , 2018

Disappointing Report Card on Telco Customer Service

Peak communications consumer group, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), has released a report, called Can You Hear Me?, on the customer service provided by 10 telco providers. Major findings are that consumers are unimpressed by the amount of time they spend getting a resolution to a telco issue. It takes an average of 13…

10 June , 2018

ACMA rules kick in on telco complaints

Telco consumers can expect a better complaints-handling experience under a new industry standard and record-keeping rules announced today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This is the first tranche of new rules announced by the ACMA in December 2017 to improve consumers’ experience in migrating to the National Broadband Network (NBN). The ACMA’s actions follow its industry information-gathering exercise and its…

17 April , 2018

Continuing rise in telco complaints shows need for urgent reforms

ACCAN is alarmed that complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) have increased by 28.7 percent in the six months to December 2017, compared to the same time the previous year. The peak Australian telecommunications consumer body says the TIO’s latest statistics reinforce the need for urgent industry action to put customers first. “Continuing high numbers of complaints shine a…