Articles Archives - Page 69 of 181 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

29 July , 2020

ACMA moves to protect Australians from phone scams

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) today launched the next phase of its action plan to combat scams, unveiling a suite of new resources designed to help Australians protect themselves on their home and mobile phones from scams. Chair of the ACMA’s Scam Taskforce Fiona Cameron said scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of…

22 July , 2020

Pregnancy warning label to be mandatory on alcoholic beverages

Australian and New Zealand consumers had a significant victory on 17 July 2020 when, by a majority vote, the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation decided that there should be a mandatory standardised pregnancy warning label on alcoholic beverages. There will be a 3 year implementation period. Currently, provision of a pregnancy…

13 July , 2020

New website of the Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee links consumers and insurance brokers

A website designed to empower consumers and help insurance brokers improve their service standards has been launched by the independent Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee (the Committee) that monitors compliance with the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice (the Code). It is an exciting development for the Committee, which works with consumer groups, regulators and Code subscribers to…

10 July , 2020

COVID job losses leading to people paying for junk insurance

Super Consumers Australia urges insurers to drop discriminatory policies that don’t protect the unemployed or people working limited hours. Super Consumers Australia has warned that the insurance industry will put approximately 343,000 people at financial risk if it doesn’t take action by the end of September. The warning comes after the Financial Services Council promised…

8 July , 2020

Banks Announcement of Further Assistance for Customers a Timely Relief: Consumer Groups

Today’s announcement by the banking industry of further assistance to help customers experiencing financial hardship will provide some important relief to those who continue to be impacted by COVID-19. CHOICE, Financial Rights Legal Centre, Consumer Action Law Centre and Financial Counselling Australia are at the forefront of helping people impacted by COVID-19, particularly people doing…

7 July , 2020

How to reduce your debt – Legal information bites by Queensland Legal Aid

In this short animated video, Legal Aid Queensland’s Paul Holmes, senior lawyer (consumer advocate), Civil Justice Services team talks about how to reduce your debt, particularly during COVID-19. In the legal information bites series, Legal Aid Queensland talks about the law, your rights and where to get legal help if you need it. To find…

3 July , 2020

Safe ladder use and Australian Standards

Ladders are used in most households for a range of jobs from DIY to changing lightbulbs; however, if the ladder is not in good condition or is used unsafely, falls can occur and cause fractured limbs, spinal cord damage, severe brain injury or death. Standards Australia has just published a revised standard AS 1895.2:2020 Portable ladders which provides minimum requirements…

1 July , 2020

Consumer Data Right goes live for data sharing

Consumers can now choose to share their banking data to access more personalised financial products and services following the launch of the Consumer Data Right today. All four major banks are capable of sharing their customers’ data, when requested by the customer. Other authorised deposit-taking institutions will join the Consumer Data Right over the coming…

1 July , 2020

New protections for energy customers take effect

Victorian energy consumers can now sign up to a new energy deal with the assurance that prices won’t increase more than once every 12 months, with new rules taking effect today. The change is one of many energy reforms to begin on 1 July and mean retailers can no longer engage in ‘bait and switch’…

1 July , 2020

How to access your consumer credit insurance in 3 steps

In this short animated video, Legal Aid Queensland’s Paul Holmes, senior lawyer (consumer advocate), Civil Justice Services team talks about consumer credit insurance. In the legal information bites series, Legal Aid Queensland talks about the law, your rights and where to get legal help if you need it. To find out more about your consumer…

30 June , 2020

Report shows life insurers need a stronger commitment to their Code compliance obligations

A number of life insurers appear not to be taking their obligations under the Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Code) seriously, according to a report released on Friday by the Life Code Compliance Committee (the Committee) – the independent Committee which monitors and enforces industry compliance with the customer service standards set out in…

29 June , 2020

New research shines light on how consumers understand electricity offers

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Friday published Testing Comprehension of the Reference Price, research jointly commissioned from the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). This research provides new insights about the ways consumers understand electricity offers and the AER and the ACCC will use these insights to consider how…