Articles Archives - Page 80 of 180 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

27 March , 2019

2019 CFA Advocacy Prizewinner announced

The CFA Prize for Consumer Advocacy is awarded annually at the ACCC National Consumer Congress. Now in its second year, the prize is open to any consumer advocate or advocacy organisation who has conducted consumer advocacy during the previous year. This year, the judging panel consisted of Gail Pearson, Gordon Renouf and Delia Rickard. Entries were judged on the following…

27 March , 2019

Payment demanded by gift card? It’s a scam

Gift cards are increasingly the payment method of choice for scammers. Scamwatch reports show more than $5 million was lost in 2018, a 38 per cent increase compared with 2017. iTunes cards accounted for $3.1 million in losses – a 156 per cent increase from the $1.23 million reported in 2017. However Scamwatch has also…

25 March , 2019

Telcos warned about disability information failures

The Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) has formally warned Telstra, Optus and Vodafone for failing to provide information about products and services that may suit the needs of consumers with a disability. Telcos are required to provide this information under telecommunications consumer protection rules. ‘Telecommunications services play a vital role in the lives of all…

19 March , 2019

Button battery safety failures

CHOICE says children’s lives are being jeopardised by business ignoring button battery risk, and are calling for an overhaul of product safety laws in the wake of recent tests which show manufacturers and retailers are ignoring safety risks posed by button battery powered items. “10 out of 17 button battery powered household items failed CHOICE…

19 March , 2019

Scam project underway

An Australian Government project to reduce harmful scam activity has released its Terms of Reference. The Scam Technology Project, led by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with representation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, will explore ways to disrupt scam activity on telco networks. Chair…

18 March , 2019

Reimagining the Corporation: Fiona Guthrie’s speech to the National Consumer Congress

The following is a transcript of the keynote address presented by Fiona Guthrie AM, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Counselling Australia, at the ACCC 2019 National Consumer Congress. Reimagining the Corporation: Why we need to change the purpose of our biggest companies INTRODUCTION I am going to begin and end this speech in the same place. And that is…

28 February , 2019

CFA calls for better and more unit pricing

The Consumers Federation of Australia’s (CFA) submission to the Federal Government’s review of the Retail Grocery Industry (Unit Pricing) Code of Conduct calls for: Continuation of the present requirements that specified grocery retailers must provide unit pricing and that any voluntary providers must comply with the same requirements as other providers. Grocery unit prices to…

28 February , 2019

Renters must be at centre of reforms, CPRC report finds

Consumer think-tank launches latest research report – The Renter’s Journey –at CPRC Policy Connect Series forum • 5 common challenges• 10 key policy implications• 20+ organisations involved in research process Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) has released its latest research report – The Renter’s Journey – following the rental experiences of four key groups of…

28 February , 2019

Systemic Insight Report: Sales Practices Driving Consumer Debt

The Systemic Insight “Sales Practices Driving Consumer Debt”, shares the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman’s recommendations on how providers could improve their selling practices to reduce consumer financial over-commitment and debt. The report makes practical recommendations in four areas that providers can adopt in selling post-paid plans and devices: Assessing a customer’s actual capacity to pay Training sales…

21 February , 2019

Consumer Connection February 2019

The February edition of Consumer Connection has been released, linking you to the latest consumer information and tips for your community from the Queensland Office of Fair Trading. In this edition: $8.5 million in redress for Queensland consumers Fuel price reporting trial helps Queensland drivers compare local servos Stronger protection for car and caravan owners introduced…

20 February , 2019

Trusted consumer Internet of Things service or product

A new set of principles, guidelines and checklists cover the key areas that must be taken into account to create a trusted consumer Internet of Things service or product: security; privacy; transparency; supporting vulnerable consumers; customer support and complaint handling; and environment. Consumer IoT Trust by Design 2019 Guidelines and Checklists was designed in collaboration…

20 February , 2019

Wastewater and caring for the environment

Consumers are increasingly aware of plastic and other litter damaging our water systems and environment. There are also many products that have the potential to cause significant problems to the environment once in the wastewater system. CFA has a representative on the Standards Australia Technical Committee WS-041 which is drafting a new standard on flushable products to make it…