Everyday Consumer Archives - Page 94 of 94 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

11 November , 2011 0 comments

Consumer Action warns government that new credit card regulation may require running repairs

The Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the Federal Government’s ban on credit providers making unsolicited credit card limit increase offers to customers, but believes that ambiguity in the regulations governing the ban will see credit providers attempt to evade and undermine it. The Centre has also warned that the Government will need to respond quickly to any such attempt if it wants to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the ban.

8 November , 2011 0 comments

New scam alerts: lottery scams and phishing emails

ACCC SCAMwatch is advising Australians to ignore recent lottery scam letters requesting $25, credit card details, or payment by cheque in return for a false $15,000 windfall.

Read the latest SCAMwatch alerts from the ACCC

8 November , 2011 0 comments

Is eBay selling consumers short?

CFA member the Consumer Action Law Centre has taken its concerns about outdated and potentially misleading information on eBay.com.au to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) after eBay International AG (eBay) failed to respond to the centre’s letter outlining its concerns.

19 October , 2011 0 comments

How to save money with grocery unit pricing

The huge range of brands and sizes of grocery items in most supermarkets makes it difficult to work out which are the best value for money.

One way to do this is to compare the price per unit of measure – the unit price.

17 October , 2011 0 comments

ACCC Chair puts supermarkets on notice

Rod Sims, new chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission made his first address to the Melbourne Press Club on 10 October 2011, putting a number of sectors on notice, including the major supermarket chains. “The two major supermarkets have significant market power, with many smaller suppliers feeling they lack a real ability to…

16 October , 2011 0 comments

ACCC pursues solar scams, misleading door-to-door sales and internet advertising

The Federal Court has dismissed allegations by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that internet search engine Google engaged in practices likely to mislead consumers.

16 October , 2011 0 comments

New ACCC scam alerts: solar offers and fake government websites

SCAMwatch is warning Australians to continue to be wary of scammers who offer bogus government rebates for the installation of solar panels and scam websites that either falsely claim to be affiliated with government or boast bogus government endorsements.

Read these latest scam watch alerts from the ACCC.

16 October , 2011 0 comments

The “Nanny State” cleans up at IQ squared debate

“Nanny state” is an ideological term invented by extremists to deride the innovations of modern law and government designed to offer consumers and citizens protections from risks that it is unreasonable to place on individuals alone. Of course many who now use the term d so innocently and now are merely concerned that in some…

15 October , 2011 0 comments

Scams, shams and small business

On Monday 12th September 2011 in Canberra more than 70 business, industry association and government representatives attended the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce forum Small business and scams: sorting out the shams. Academics, compliance and enforcement experts and small business specialists, including ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper, shed light on their experience of scams, the…

30 September , 2011 0 comments

Consumer groups help ensure continuation of travel compensation fund

The Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) protects consumers against loss if a travel agent becomes insolvent. Consumer group submissions have been important in ensuring that the TCF continues to offer statutory protection to Australian consumers. Earlier this year a government discussion paper raised options for the future of the TCF. One option was to wind up…

21 May , 2011 0 comments

Why we need a funded peak consumer body

CFA has called on the Federal government to implement the Productivity Commison’s recommendation to funded an independant national consumer organisation.

26 March , 2011 0 comments

Unfair contracts

New unfair contract terms legislation came into effect fully across Australia on 1 July 2010, following a concerted campaign by CFA and its members. These laws make unfair terms in consumer contacts void. Many industries use standard-form consumer contracts, including telecommunications, finance, motor traders, gyms, travel and utilities. A term will be unfair where it…