Articles Archives - Page 57 of 179 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

24 September , 2021

Telecommunications complaints fall, but serious concerns remain

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has welcomed an overall fall in complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO), however, raised concerns that small businesses may be suffering as complaint levels from the sector reach a three year high. This is a media release from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). It was originally published…

24 September , 2021

Third year of declining phone and internet complaints but problems persist for small businesses

Complaints about phone and internet services decreased 6.1 per cent in the last financial year ending 30 June 2021. During this period, residential consumers and small businesses made 119,400 complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, highlighted in the Annual Report 2020-21 published on the 22nd September 2021. This is a media release from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.…

13 September , 2021

Banking Code Committee concerned by direct debits compliance

The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) today released a report indicating that banks would comply with their direct debit obligation under the Banking Code of Practice (the Code) in only 71% of cases. In March 2021, the BCCC conducted a mystery shopping exercise into banks’ compliance with their obligation to promptly cancel a customer’s direct debit on…

10 September , 2021

Just the ticket – tough new laws to stamp out scalping

Ticket scalping will be illegal in Western Australia after legislation introduced by the McGowan Government passed State Parliament, delivering on an election commitment. This is an announcement from the Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. It was originally published on 8th September, 2021. The tough new measures will be in place…

6 September , 2021

Banks report a 14% increase in Code breaches

In a report released today, the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) said 19 subscriber banks self-reported 22,473 breaches of the Banking Code of Practice for the period July to December 2020. This is a Banking Code Compliance Committee media release, originally published on 27th August, 2021. This is an increase of 13.7% over the previous six months.…

6 September , 2021

Thinking of buying a smart device for your home?

Smart devices or Internet of Things (IoTs) have a significant role in our daily lives at home. A new report has raised the importance of increasing consumer awareness of privacy and consumer protection issues associated with IoTs since there is very limited legal protection for consumers who use these devices. The report Enhancing consumer awareness of…

6 September , 2021

Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee releases Annual Report for 2020-21

The independent committee that monitors the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice (the Code) has released its Annual Report for a year marked by the ongoing challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and expectations of the financial services industry to embed extensive regulatory changes stemming from the Financial Services Royal Commission. This is a Customer…

6 September , 2021

Going down the toilet! – Have your say

Incorrect labelling and marketing of wet wipes and other items as ‘flushable’ has resulted in serious plumbing issues by contributing to ‘fatbergs’. Wet wipes and other items don’t disintegrate like toilet paper when flushed, wet wipes typically contain plastic so, once they reach the sea, they last for a long time, causing havoc with marine…

2 September , 2021

Women’s Health Week – prioritising women’s health

With many of us experiencing more time in our homes than usual, we need to maintain, or establish, behaviours and routines that promote health and wellbeing. Women’s Health Week 6-10 September 2021 reminds us to set time aside to evaluate our current lifestyle and participate in this nation-wide campaign of events and online activities – all centred…

27 August , 2021

Congratulations to the 2021 CFA Mentoring Program alumni

Taking stock of your career and its trajectory isn’t easy. Six rising stars of the consumer movement took on this intense challenge during this year’s inaugural CFA Mentoring Program. Supported by their mentor and their peers, they have explored their career aspirations and the pathways for their personal and professional growth. At the end of…

26 August , 2021

Banks can do better: Consumer groups make more than 100 recommendations to improve bank behaviour

A coalition of the country’s leading consumer organisations is calling on Australia’s major banks to make significant updates to their industry code to improve outcomes for customers. The Consumers’ Federation of Australia’s (CFA) submission of behalf of the coalition to the 2021 review of the Australian Banking Association (ABA) Banking Code of Practice (the Code)…

26 August , 2021

Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee releases Annual Report for 2020–21

The independent committee that monitors the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice (the Code) has released its Annual Report for 2020–21, a year marked by the continued impact and disruptions of COVID-19, the torrent of legislation following the Financial Services Royal Commission and the unprecedented risk challenges facing the insurance industry. This is an Insurance Brokers Code…