Consumer Action in the News
Victorians facing soaring bills could have power rationed
Herald Sun, 10 August 2010, Karen Collier
Victorians hit with soaring electricity bills could have their power rationed under a smart meter plan.
Talkback: Debtor Harrassment
Life Matters, ABC Radio National, 28 July 2010, Richard Aedy
Australians are now carrying record levels of personal debt - Consumer Action Co-CEO, Carolyn Bond, discusses what debt collectors can and can't do and what your rights are.
Consumer Rights
Done by Law, Radio 3CR, 13 July 2010, Sam Sowerwine
Consumer Action Senior Policy Officer Zac Gillam discusses payday lending and private car park fines.
Consumer advocates say independence is at stake if lawyers are handed self-regulation
The Australian, 9 July 2010, Chris Merritt
Carolyn Bond, Co-CEO of Consumer Action, comments on the Law Council's proposal that lawyers and judges control regulation of the Australian legal profession.
Bid to curb consumers' card debt
The Age, 8 July 2010, Ari Sharp
Consumer Action's Co-CEO Catriona Lowe discusses proposals by the Government that could see credit card companies having to assess the amount of credit customers are capable of repaying and then being banned from enforcing debts beyond that amount.
Lawyers to dominate legal standards board
The Sydney Morning Herald, 2 July 2010, Joel Gibson
Consumer Action Co-CEO Carolyn Bond weighs into the debate over who should control the regulation of the legal profession under new national laws.
Packing a punch
The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 June, Lesley Parker
Nicole Rich, Consumer Action's Director - Policy and Campaigns, discusses the new consumer laws requiring businesses to make sure their contract terms are fair and bringing many credit providers under a stricter licensing regime.
'Predatory' lenders seek ASIC approval
The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 June 2010, Stuart Washington
Consumer Action’s Director – Policy and Campaigns, Nicole Rich, comments on the ACCC's new national licensing program after lenders named in a landmark predatory lending case register as consumer credit providers under the scheme.
Corporate watchdog taken off the leash to pursue mortgage lenders ...
The Australian, 28 June 2010, Nicola Berkovic
Consumer Action’s Director – Policy and Campaigns, Nicole Rich, comments after the corporate watchdog says it will crack down on banks and other lenders who unfairly charge their customers extra fees.
Fee cuts to cost banks $550m
The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 June 2010, Stuart Washington
The banks' record of strong growth in non-interest fees has been challenged by revelations that cuts to penalty fees have cost them $550 million this financial year.
States' 11th hour spats over new energy legislation
The Australian, 11 June 2010, Natasha Bita
Power utilities must be banned from charging late-payment fees, Victoria demanded yesterday, as the states squabbled over a new law to protect customers.
Revolt over parking sting
Herald Sun, 2 June 2010, Karen Collier
TENS of thousands of drivers stung with hefty shopping centre carpark fees are being urged to push for a mass claim for compensation.
The fine art of the parking sting
The Daily Telegraph, 28 May 2010, John Rolfe
ED McKail of Canley Vale opened the mail last week to find a letter from Australian National Car Parks' (ANCP) solicitor that said it was taking court action to recover $1038 for parking fees, interest and legal costs.
Dodgy doorknockers blamed as hundreds of complaints to energy watchdog
Herald Sun, 28 May 2010, Karen Collier
Households are being conned into switching to new electricity and gas deals with higher charges.
Power cuts for hard-up families under new energy laws
The Australian, 27 May 2010, Natasha Bita
Power companies will be permitted to disconnect customers too poor to pay their bills, under the first national consumer energy law to be signed off by the states and territories next month.
ANZ debt collector investigated for Facebook spying
ABC Radio PM, 26 May 2010, Sarah Gerathy
The ANZ bank has launched an investigation after it discovered some of its staff had been secretly using Facebook to gather customers' information. It's alleged that someone in the bank's debt collection team set up a fake Facebook profile.
Caution needed on commission ban
InsuranceNews, 24 May 2010
The Federal Government’s announcement that it is considering extending its ban on commissions to include the risk insurance industry has reignited debate on the likely effects of such a change.
Bank workers join fight against fees
Herald Sun, 18 May 2010, Karen Collier
Peeved bank staff are among those wanting to join the nation's biggest class action to recover $5 billion in bank fees.
Customers could be charged interest on overdue water bills
Herald Sun, 17 May 2010, Karen Collier
Households could be hit with new fees for paying soaring water bills late. The Consumer Action Law Centre fears customers statewide could be charged interest on overdue accounts under potential changes to water laws.
NAB gives refunds for late penalties
The Age, 15 May 2010, Adele Ferguson and Melissa Singer
As the telecommunications industry emerges as the next likely battleground in the war on unfair fees, one of the big four banks has been forced to refund millions in late penalties it charged in error over the past seven years.
Thousands clamour to join class action
Sydney Morning Herald, 14 May 2010, Eric Johnston and Adele Ferguson
Up to 500,000 people are expected to join a class action against banks for repayment of dishonour and late fees. Bank customers have rushed to join a legal action against much-hated penalty fees, with more than 40,000 people registering their interest to recoup billions of dollars in funds paid to banks over recent years.
Bank fees: lawyers watch and wait
The Age, 13 May 2010, Chris Zappone
Several law firms have shown interest in a possible class action against banks to recoup up to $5 billion in bank fees, according to a consumer advocate.
The insidious parent trap
The Age, 5 May 2010, Lesley Parker
Consumer Action’s co-CEO Carolyn Bond discusses the high pressure sales tactics used to sell educational software as regulators warn parents about the misleading methods of some door-to-door sellers.
Consolidating debt could save a bundle but there are risks
Herald Sun, 4 May 2010, Nick Gardner
For borrowers struggling with a range of debts such as credit cards, personal loans, car loans and store cards, consolidating them into a mortgage could save a fortune. Nicole Rich of the Consumer Action Law Centre says a major issue with the industry is misleading marketing.
Flood v storm debate continues
InsuranceNews.com.au, 3 May 2010
In the wake of recent flooding in southern Queensland, the definition of flood versus storm damage and what exactly is covered is once again receiving media attention.
Consumer setback feared
The Age, 30 April 2010, Ari Sharp
Victorian consumers could face a return to previously outlawed debt collection tactics as part of a move to introduce a single set of consumer protection laws.
Consumer legal group hits out at insurance industry
The World Today, ABC Radio, 28 April 2010, Melinda Howells
Consumer Action’s Nicole Rich discusses the role of Australia's insurance industry in dealing with disputes over flood claims.
The great Aussie switch to debit cards from credit cards
Herald Sun, 26 April 2010, Alex Tilbury and Karina Barrymore
Australia’s love affair with credit cards is waning as people switch to using cash and debit cards.
Preston Market switch on cars
Preston Leader, 7 April 2010, Suzanne Robson
Customers and stallholders will lose out in a new parking regime set to begin at Preston Market, a trader claims. Controversial private carparking company Care Park has taken control of market parking but is yet to install ticket machines or signs explaining changes.
New credit card laws won't stop gouging by companies
Sydney Morning Herald, 24 March 2010, Melissa Singer
New laws designed to improve consumer protection will not block credit card companies from imposing onerous fees and charges on their customers, legal experts have warned.
Appliances not quite the stars they seem
Sydney Morning Herald, 20 March 2010, Melissa Singer
ONE in three electrical appliances audited for energy efficiency is either unfit for sale or has exaggerated environmental credentials.
Consumer advocates warn of slick sales tricks
World Today, ABC Radio, 15 March 2010, Ashley Hall
The Consumer Action Law Centre is calling for stronger protection against the slick sales techniques used by in-home sales staff. The centre is warning that the national consumer laws, that are due to come into effect later this year, will whittle away some of the protections now offered to Victorian consumers.
Now a bill for power poles
Herald Sun, 18 February 2010, Karen Collier
Consumer Action’s Senior Policy Officer for Energy, Janine Rayner, discusses concerns over electricity distributors’ expenditure forecasts that could mean Victorian consumers will be charged up to $200 on their annual electricity bill by 2015.
Bankruptcy Reform
Online Opinion, 9 February 2010, Nicole Rich and Fiona Guthrie
Consumer Action’s Nicole Rich and Fiona Guthrie from the Australian Financial Counselling and Credit Reform Association write about the need for reforms to Australia’s bankruptcy laws – including raising the threshold necessary to bankrupt a debtor from $2,000 to $10,000 and changing the amount both debt collectors and bankruptcy trustees can charge in fees.
Judges want control over regulatory body
The Australian, 5 February 2010, Chris Merritt, Legal Affairs Editor
The push to give lawyers and judges control of the national legal services board was denounced by Victoria's Consumer Action Law Centre, which endorsed the taskforce's plan for a balanced membership.
An Australian judicial system
Sky News Business Channel, Law TV, 3 February 2010, Carson Scott
Consumer Action’s Director - Policy and Campaigns, Nicole Rich, discussed NSW Chief Justice Spigelman’s comments on national legal profession reform, alongside Federal Attorney-General Robert McLelland and others.
Carpark Attack
Channel 9, A Current Affair, 19 January 2010, Sarah Stewart
Consumer Action’s Nicole Rich appears in this A Current Affair story on private car park “fines”.
Counselling in demand
The Age, 13 January 2010, Lesley Parker
Help is at hand for those whose finances are hanging in the balance — but it's best not to wait that long. Financial counselling, traditionally delivered face-to-face, is now being offered by phone as agencies seek to cope with a surge in demand that they don't expect to abate any time soon - global financial crisis or not.
So you've vowed to lose some weight: let's start with your wallet
The Age, 3 January 2010, Peter Munro and John Mangan
Looking in the new year mirror can be so harrowing many of us make familiar resolutions: to eat less and love more, take time off, give to the poor. For some businesses, this is boom time.
One wrong digit could cost net-bankers
ABC Radio PM, 18 December 2009, Meredith Griffiths
Despite the increasing popularity of internet banking, there's no uniform policy for how financial institutions should address problems that arise when net-bankers accidentally enter the wrong account number. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is looking at the issue, but in the meantime consumer groups are telling people to take care.
Borrowers likely to switch banks: broker
Sydney Morning Herald, 11 December 2009, Eoin Blackwell
The federal government's deposit guarantee has helped the big four banks take an even greater share of the mortgage market, but borrowers will return to non-bank lenders because they offer a better deal, says mortgage broker.
If you think interest rates are tough now, wait until next year
Herald Sun, 5 December 2009, Karina Barrymore
If you think it's tough now with interest rate rises, wait until next year. Repayments are only going to get higher and budgets will be swamped even further.
Small lenders gain in slump
The Australian, 2 December 2009, Tim Boreham
CANBERRA'S stimulus payments may have spurred a boom in cash sales of appliances and electrical goods, but the biggest beneficiaries are not the stores but the listed providers of consumer financing such as renting, leasing and small-value cash loans.
Werribee Plaza to refund Salvos after charity stand ‘oversight’
Wyndham Leader, 2 December 2009, Kellie Cameron
Werribee Plaza will make a donation to The Salvation Army to compensate for an “oversight” that led to some plaza shoppers giving money to a Salvos’ stand selling items not linked to the charity. The merchandise was sold from a stand clearly marked The Salvation Army - Wyndham City during the plaza’s popular Santa Christmas parade.
Debt Collectors
Channel Seven – Today Tonight, 24 November 2009, Helen Wellings
Today Tonight looks at how far debt collectors will go, what tactics they can legitimately use, and what rights consumers have when they can't pay or don't believe they even owe the money.
Melbourne's mini-boom brings out the spruikers
The Age, 9 November 2009, Marika Dobbin
Property spruikers can be seen as a bellwether for how the market is travelling. With Melbourne's market going through a mini-boom in recent months, those spruikers who went quiet during the real estate downturn that began in early 2008 are now making a comeback.
Warnings as lenders get more access to credit info
ABC Radio AM, 15 October 2009, Ashley Hall
The lending industry has long been asking for permission to gather much more detailed information about who has been paying their bills on time. And now they'll get it, under legislation proposed by the Federal Government. Consumer advocates say they're concerned the legislation will be used by lending institutions to spruik more loans, instead of for responsible lending.
NAB cuts bank fees
ABC News Radio, 15 October 2009, John Barron
Nicole Rich, Consumer Action’s Director of Policy and Campaigns, welcomes the National Australia Bank’s decision to abolish monthly account keeping fees and credit card over-the-limit fees.
Banks’ marketing materials
ABC TV Hungry Beast, 7 October 2009, Scott Mitchell
Hungry Beast spoke with Consumer Action’s Director of Policy & Campaigns, Nicole Rich, about our dealings with banks and other lenders’ marketing materials.
Businesses air concerns over bankruptcy reform
ABC TV Inside Business, 13 September 2009, Kathy Swan
The Federal Government's plan to reform personal bankruptcy laws takes another step tomorrow when public consultation finishes and the new legislation starts to be drawn up. The key plank of the reforms is raising the minimum debt required to trigger bankruptcy from $2,000 to $10,000.
Peak body expels bad mortgage brokers
ABC radio AM, 9 September 2009, Sue Lannin
The peak mortgage industry body has kicked out 1,500 mortgage brokers for failing to meet minimum standards. Mortgage brokers are the middlemen who get paid a commission for arranging home loans for customers with banks and other financial institutions.
New Rules are coming and the first signs are here
The Australian, 28 August 2009, Chris Merritt
Carolyn Bond, co-chief executive of the Consumer Action Law centre, has called for stronger consumer protection measures for the legal industry.
Not in your best interest
The Age, 12 August 2009 , Antony Lawes
The big banks might be winding back some penalty fees but the biggest and most costly of them all, the home loan exit fee, is staying put.
Bank surprises customers by cutting fees
ABC Radio PM, 29 July 2009, Simon Santow
How best to make good on bad debt
Sydney Morning Herald, 26 July 2009, Bina Brown
Offers promising to combine loans and reduce interest can end up costing you more
New law may check bank penalty fees
The Australian, 24 July 2009, Eoin Blackwell
The battle over bank fees is set to flare once again with a new bill before the federal parliament.
Politically correct madness as fears grow over power bills
Herald Sun, 8 July 2009, Karen Collier
Politically correct zealots penning new national energy laws have pulled the plug on the word "disconnection". The word is being replaced with the bizarre term "de-energisation".
Lonely heart’s $110,000 agony
Herald Sun, 7 July 2009, Karen Collier
A man who claims he was conned into paying $110,000 to a dating agency to find his dream woman has launched legal action for a refund and compensation for stress and humiliation.
Pricing policy needs teeth if it’s to really benefit consumers
The Age, 1 July 2009, Opinion Piece, Nicole Rich and Sean Carroll
With the Federal Government abandoning Grocery Choice, it is now even more important that it puts in place an effective unit pricing regime that works for consumers.
World Bank outlook moves from grim to grimmer
ABC Radio PM, 23 June 2009, Stephen Long
When it comes to the global financial crisis, don't get too comfortable. The World Bank has revised down its forecast and now sees global growth going backwards by nearly 3 per cent this year amid a collapse in trade and global capital flows. But its proving a mild recession for Australia's major banks - their profits, and profit margins on lending, have risen, while the profits of their smaller competitors collapse.
BankWatch plan falters due to lack of interest
Sydney Morning Herald, 24 June 2009, Jessica Irvine
The Rudd Government's much vaunted initiative that promised to make it easier for people to switch banks has been largely ignored by consumers since it was introduced nearly eight months ago.
Pensioner risks losing home over unpaid BigPond account
The Age, 19 June 2009, Julia Talevski
Luba Kipish is facing a $23,000 bill and could potentially lose her home after being placed into bankruptcy for not paying an eight-year old Telstra BigPond bill of less than $1000.
Just what the consumer ordered
The Age, 10 June 2009, Lesley Parker
New pricing laws for goods and services will force businesses to be more transparent.
How to recognise and avoid two modern hard-selling traps – gym memberships and maths software
Channel Ten - 9am with David and Kim, 28 May 2009
Consumer Action’s Nicole Rich and Deakin University’s Dr Paul Harrison discussed selling tactics and consumer rights regarding gym memberships and maths software.
Fear for rights of water-bill defaulters
The Age, 27 May 2009, Peter Ker
Melburnians with overdue water bills could have their property seized, interest charged on their bills and their rent diverted if promised legislative changes go ahead.
Finance brokers turn the screw on battlers
Herald Sun, 22 May 2009, Karen Collier
Finance brokers are holding battlers to ransom by stopping them from selling their homes. Consumer advocates are outraged that brokers have the power to place caveats over homes and freeze access to alternative finance to force payment of fees.
Banks squeeze more fees
Channel 7 – Sunrise, 22 May 2009
Consumer Action’s Nicole Rich discussed the release of Reserve Bank information that reveals Australian banks charged over $1 billion in penalty fees last year.
Debt and where to find help
Channel Ten - 9am with David and Kim, 20 May 2009
Consumer Action co-CEO, Carolyn Bond, discussed debt and debt collection, and where consumers can find help.
More lose homes as job losses bite
The Age, 28 April 2009, Daniella Miletic
MORE Victorians are losing their homes as unemployment rises, with court figures revealing a 30 per cent rise in claims lodged in the first three months of 2009 compared with the same period last year.
Banks target vulnerable customers
ABC radio PM, 24 April 2009, Richard Lindell
The recession and fear of unemployment has seen many Australians cut back on their use of credit cards. But consumers still owe more than $45 billion on plastic; and a growing number are in over their heads. The banks are being accused of exploiting the most vulnerable consumers during the boom via direct marketing campaigns. Now during the downturn many face bankruptcy with no prospect of paying down debts totalling tens of thousands of dollars.
Dating agency accused of conning elderly man
The Age, 24 April 2009,
Selma Milovanovic
A DIABETIC 73-year-old man looking for love has been allegedly conned out of $22,000 by an introduction agency that told him to mortgage his house to pay for their services.
Single mum accuses NAB over credit card
The Age, 24 April 2009, Daniella Miletic
THE National Australia Bank's ability to help customers in financial hardship has come under scrutiny over claims it ignored a struggling single mother's efforts to get information about her credit card debt.