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Australians lost over $634 million to scams in 2019, according to the latest figures in the ACCC’s Targeting Scams report released today. There were more than 353,000 combined reports to Scamwatch, other government agencies and the big four banks last year. “Unfortunately it is another year with devastatingly high losses, and scammers are constantly finding…
Read More Scams cost Australians over $630 million
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The Morrison Government has directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to monitor domestic air passenger services for a period of three years. The Government has consistently said Australia’s national interest is best served through having a sustainable, competitive aviation sector. ACCC monitoring will assist in protecting competition in the domestic passenger airline market,…
Read More ACCC directed to monitor domestic air passenger services
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Consumer advocate CHOICE has written to the Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz with proposed legislation to stop price gouging on essentials during a crisis. “The past few months have shown us that in a crisis, consumer protections for Australians are the first thing to go.” says Amy Pereira, CHOICE Campaigner. “We need strong protections…
Read More CHOICE calls for urgent price gouging legislation to protect Victorians in future crises
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While many of us have already hauled out the winter woollies, electric blankets and hot water bottles, the first official day of winter is the perfect time to check they’re still safe to use. Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio said a number of winter warmer products may pose a safety risk if they are…
Read More Hot safety tips for consumers in cold weather
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Grocery shoppers wanting to get value for money during the current economic crisis should be using the unit price information (price per unit of measure) provided for prepackaged products by all large supermarkets. Gerard Brody, chair of the peak consumer body the Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA), says “The unit price information shown on shelf…
Read More Grocery shoppers urged to use unit prices to get better value for money during the COVID-19 economic crisis
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The Consumers’ Federation of Australia has made submissions to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) responding to authorisation applications from NBN Co, the Australian Energy Council (AEC) and Private Healthcare Australia Limited (PHA). Businesses can seek authorisation from the ACCC where conduct risks breaching competition laws but is in the public interest. While CFA…
Read More CFA responds to COVID19 cooperation proposals from NBN Co, Australian Energy Council and Private Healthcare Australia
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The Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is advising consumers wanting to make travel plans to be wary about ‘pay now/book later’ holidays in the current climate and to read the terms and conditions carefully. Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer said that while regional travel restrictions may be easing, international travel restrictions were likely…
Read More Don’t rush into your next ‘pay now/book later’ getaway
Triangular road signs with 'scam' written in all caps
Scamwatch has received over 2000 coronavirus-related scam reports with over $700 000 in reported losses since the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Common scams include phishing for personal information, online shopping, and superannuation scams. Visit Scamwatch for details on how scammers target consumers and tips to protect yourself. If you have been scammed or have seen…
Read More Scammers use COVID-19 to take advantage of consumers across Australia
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The Marshall Liberal Government will deliver real time petrol pricing to South Australian motorists following the findings of an extensive review undertaken by the South Australian Productivity Commission. The Commission’s review found that while petrol price cycles still existed in those jurisdictions that did have fuel price monitoring, the presence of real time pricing data…
Read More Helping motorists find the best deal at the bowser
The text reads 'National volunteer week 18-24 May. Changing communities. Changing lives'
National Volunteer Week is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of the nation’s volunteers, especially during this challenging time. Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) takes this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who represent CFA and put forward the consumer perspective on a range of bodies, organisations and committees, including Standards Australia Technical…
Read More Celebrating volunteers during National Volunteer Week May 18-24
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Many Australians are facing exceptional financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are likely to need the support and assistance of their bank to help them deal with its impacts. The 2019 Banking Code of Practice provides safeguards and protections for banks’ individual and small business customers and includes many obligations which require banks…
Read More Banking Code: The Compliance Committee’s approach to consumer protection
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The Queensland Office of Fair Trading warns of employment opportunity scams in the following media release. COVID-19 has unleashed literally hundreds of scams across Australia and the next ones the Queensland Office of Fair Trading wants consumers to watch out for are employment opportunity scams. Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer said scammers hiding behind…
Read More Consumers urged to look out for employment opportunity scams in the wake of COVID-19
