consumer education

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Criminals commit cybercrime by using a computer or online network to target victims. Anyone can be a victim of cybercrime, from individuals and businesses to government, with far reaching consequences. On average, a new cybercrime incident is reported in Australia every six minutes. Ransomware alone results in up to $3 billion in annual damages to the Australian…

Read More Cybersecurity – Safeguarding Australia’s future

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With ongoing cost of living pressures impacting household budgets, the Consumer Affairs Victoria has come up with some tips to help you become an informed and savvy consumer and to save some money along the way. When you shop, think carefully before you buy. Learn more about consumer guarantees here. Save at the checkout by…

Read More Top Consumer Tips to Beat Cost of Living Pressures

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A new independent report released by the Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research at the University of Melbourne reveals that just over 35 percent of Australians have a concession card, yet only one third of them are aware they may be eligible for energy concessions on their bills. The report surveyed 3187 respondents, 1154…

Read More Majority of Concessioners Not Aware of Energy Bill Concessions

A study of local economic abuse in First Nations communities with special focus on Australia and Canada June 2024 Jerry Buckland Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Manitoba Carmen Daniels Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network Cairns, Queensland ICAN

Today, ICAN releases its literature review: A study of local economic abuse in First Nations communities with a special focus on Australia and Canada. The study was undertaken by Professor Jerry Buckland from the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) and Carmen Daniels, Research Manager at ICAN. ICAN’s purpose in undertaking the research, was to review the literature…

Read More ICAN Releases Literature Review on Economic Abuse in First Nations Communities

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Every year, Australians transfer an estimated $21 billion to family and friends overseas, making use of international money transfer (IMT) services. However, IMT pricing is complex and often not transparent for consumers. To assist businesses supplying IMT services, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued best practice guidance, aimed at improving how IMT offers are…

Read More Using behavioural insights to improve International Money Transfer calculators

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Charities work across multiple sectors, but the Australian Charities Report is of strategic importance as it aggregates charity data (from 51,536 charities) to provide a holistic picture or ‘sector-wide’ view. Cost of living increases impact charities Our [the Australian and Not-for-Profits Commission or ACNC] data shows that cost of living issues had an impact on…

Read More ACNC Releases the 10th Edition of the Australian Charities Report

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Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) and CHOICE has made a submission to the Productivity Commission about future National Competition Policy reforms. The submission stresses the need to analyse potential policy reforms with a focus on their effects on consumers and households, urging the Commission to prioritise understanding how different groups might be affected. The submission’s…

Read More Productivity Commission National Competition Policy Reforms Submission

Knowledge is Power

The free ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ course provided by CSIRO National AI Centre (NAIC) will cover what AI is, common terminologies, real-world applications of AI, Australian AI case studies, advice from industry experts to start your career in AI, and more. The two-and-a-half-hour course provides a non-technical introduction to AI fundamentals and is designed for…

Read More Free and accessible Artificial Intelligence course

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The United States of America’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published a new report, Price Complexity in Laboratory Markets, which indicates that complex pricings, or costs separated into various sub-prices, are typically more expensive and harder to compare – leading to consumers paying more. Based on the CFPB’s previous research, this increased complexity and…

Read More US Consumer Protection Body Publishes Research Finding Higher Price Complexity Leads to Consumers Paying More

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ASIC is warning consumers about an increase in the sophistication of fake bond and term deposit scams where scammers are impersonating little-known legitimate financial services businesses, often those without a website or digital footprint. Scammers are mirroring real businesses’ disclosure documents, addresses, International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs), Australian business numbers (ABNs) and Australian financial services…

Read More Scam Alert Issued by ASIC as Scammers Change Methods

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23 April 2024 Last month we brought together a powerful cohort of consumer advocate groups, international organisations, business, government and civil society to call for Fair and Responsible AI on World Consumer Rights Day Friday March 15. AI is changing how millions of us experience the online world. Within just five days of the release of ChatGPT last…

Read More Global Experiment Reveals a ‘worrying margin of harm’ in AI Chatbots