Articles Archives - Page 71 of 179 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

6 April , 2020

Scammers targeting superannuation in COVID-19 crisis

Scammers are now trying to exploit Australians financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis with new superannuation scams being reported to Scamwatch in recent weeks. Scammers are already trying to take advantage of the Government’s recent announcement that people suffering financial hardship can have partial access to their superannuation from mid-April. “Scammers are cold-calling people claiming…

6 April , 2020

Telco companies are failing people in financial hardship

Consumer Action Law Centre has released the following statement in response to a report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on fiancial hardhip in the telco industry. A report released this week by ACMA shows that telco providers are not adequately identifying and supporting customers experiencing financial hardship. The ACMA reports shows that…

3 April , 2020

ASIC warns of unlicensed financial advice by real estate agents to tenants

ASIC has written a letter to the real estate institutes in each state outlining concerns about some real estate agents who are advising tenants to apply for early release of their superannuation. AISC warns that such conduct by real estate agents may be in contravention of the Corporations Act as it may may constitute unlicensed…

2 April , 2020

Telco financial hardship policies critical during COVID-19

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is reminding consumers that there are options available if they are experiencing financial distress and struggling to pay their telco bills. ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said that telcos have financial hardship programs available to support Australian consumers facing difficulties. “Telecommunication services are playing a critical role in keeping Australians connected…

31 March , 2020

“Penalties for not taking up private health cover must be suspended”: CHOICE

Consumer advocate says Lifetime Health Cover Loading should be suspended in light of COVID-19 financial pressures Consumer advocate CHOICE is calling on the Federal Government to suspend consumer penalties for not taking up private health insurance in light of the COVID-19 crisis. The advocacy group says the Government should add an extra 365 days to…

30 March , 2020

Ecstra Response and recovery grants to assist community organisations during COVID-19

Applications are now open for a grant pool of $3,000,000 to be submitted by 30 April 2020. Ecstra Foundation is a new not for profit organisation committed to building the financial capability of all Australians within a fair financial system. GRANT OVERVIEW Eligible organisations may apply for up to three $100,000 grants Open to established consumer organisations with DGR 1 status Applications close 30…

30 March , 2020

ACCC response to COVID-19 pandemic

The ACCC is highly conscious of the impact COVID-19 is having on Australian consumers and businesses, and has adjusted the focus of its regulatory activities accordingly. Most businesses are facing severe disruption, particularly small businesses, and the future is uncertain for many. The ACCC will factor these circumstances into its consideration of competition matters in…

27 March , 2020

Government must act to address broadband affordability as unemployment predicted to rise: ACCAN

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise a specific stimulus strategy for telecommunications services to keep Australians connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing social distancing and self-isolation efforts have resulted in millions of Australians increasingly relying on their home broadband service. As Australia’s peak body representing telecommunications consumers,…

25 March , 2020

CHOICE calls on sellers and online platforms to put an end to price gouging

Price gouging during the coronavirus crisis has been rampant. We’re calling on sellers big and small as well as online platforms to cease and desist. CHOICE article. Last updated 20 March 2020. It may surprise you to learn that price gouging – jacking up prices for essential goods when supplies are low – is technically…

24 March , 2020

Supermarkets to work together to ensure grocery supply

Supermarket operators will be able to coordinate immediately to ensure consumers have reliable and fair access to groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic following the ACCC’s granting of interim authorisation. The interim authorisation will allow supermarkets to coordinate with each other when working with manufacturers, suppliers, and transport and logistics providers. The purpose of this is…

12 March , 2020

Understand the cost of medical procedures using Medical Costs Finder

The Medical Costs Finder is an online tool that helps people understand the cost of common medical procedures by specialists in Australia. In line with the Australian Government’s strategy to improve understanding and transparency of out of pocket costs, the web tool uses the most recent publicly available Government data about what people have paid…

11 March , 2020

Consumer Action releases Regulator Watch report

Consumer Action Law Centre has released its second edition of Regulator Watch: The enforcement performance of Australia’s consumer protection regulators. In 2013, Consumer Action published the first edition of ‘Regulator Watch’, which was written in response to the absence of a public mechanism to compare the enforcement work being done by Australia’s various consumer protection regulators. Since…