December 2014
What the Murray Inquiry will mean for you News.com.au, 9 December 2014, Frank Chung Consumer groups broadly labelling the Financial System Inquiry report a 'win' ABC PM, 8 December 2014, Amy Bainbrid...
Have you borrowed from Sunshine Loans or Cash Loan Money Centre?
Have you had loans from Sunshine Loans or Cash Loan Money Centre? If so, you may be entitled to compensation after ASIC expressed concern that these companies had business models designed to avoid...
Scam alert: Scammers falsely using Consumer Action’s name
Scam alert! We’ve had reports of scammers falsely using Consumer Action's name to obtain money and banking details from their victims. Consumer Action is not responsible for these calls. We will never...
November 2014
Bloody shocker: The dodgy things power companies do that drive us crazy News.com.au, 28 November 2014, James Law Consumer lease companies accused of targeting vulnerable people ABC PM, 27 November 20...
Are debt businesses unfairly targeting vulnerable consumers?
Ever seen an ad urging you make a quick phone call in order to get debt free fast, so you can get on with living a stress-free life? Chances are it was an ad for a debt agreement. Regulated by the Ba...
Legal Services Commissioner reprimands Mr James Woods of E C Legal
In what should act as a warning to legal firms involved in debt collection, the Legal Services Commissioner has reprimanded Mr James Woods, principal of E C Legal, for conduct which the Commissioner w...
Consumer Action’s 2013/2014 Annual Report
Consumer Action’s 2013/2014 Annual Report and Financial Report now available and features information about our: Legal practice; policy team; MoneyHelp financial counselling service; Volunteer p...
Consumer Action’s Agata Wierzbowski announced as the 2014/15 Community Legal Centre Fellow
Consumer Action is thrilled that one of our solicitors, Agata Wierzbowski, has been announced as the 2014/15 Community Legal Centre Fellow. Agata will be researching strategic casework. These are cas...
Bank West to stop charging a fee for cancelling a direct debit payment
Earlier this year consumer advocates got wind that that Bank West was charging a $15 fee for cancelling a direct debit payment. So we looked around and couldn’t find a single other bank or mutual that...
October 2014
Power companies given ‘green light’ to bait and switch, consumer advocates say news.com.au, 24 October 2014, Frank Chung Retailers forced to be upfront about rising electricity prices Canberra Ti...
Submission: Senate Standing Committees on Economics – Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014
The Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014 (the Bill). We generally do not support the amendment Bill...
Consumer Action welcomes Victorian Labor’s plan to strengthen Essential Services Commission
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed Victorian Labor’s new energy policy which would increase the powers the Essential Services Commission (ESC) and put consumers ‘front and centre’ of the Commissi...
Consumer alert – Complaints about Malouf Group Enterprises
Originally posted September 4, 2014 Consumer Action Law Centre has received a number of complaints about Malouf Group Enterprises – a ‘credit repair’ company that a number of consumers have turned...
September 2014
Dangerous waterslide and parking fees add to woes at Frankston’s Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Centre Frankston Standard Leader, 29 September 2014, Christian Tatman Queensland Government-owned...
Federal Court delivers damning finding for payday lender
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed a Federal Court ruling that The Cash Store and Assistive Finance Australia Pty Ltd broke consumer credit laws and engaged in unconscionable conduct. The Cour...
Money Smart Week 2014: Time for a money health check
If you could earn yourself $20,000 for an hour or two of work, I’m guessing you’d think that’s a pretty good deal; and you’d be right. But when that same equation is presented with a pay-day...
Consumer Action Law Centre Strategic Plan – 2014 to 2017
Setting the context Consumer Action Law Centre was established in 2006 to advance fairness in consumer markets and is today an influential consumer organisation, within Victoria and nationally. We hav...
August 2014
CBA emails “conditionally approved” personal loans up to $30K News.com.au, 22 August 2014, John Rolf Avoiding a new era of retail electricity rip-offs Climate Spectator, 13 August 2014, Tristan E...
July 2014
All power to the energy companies when it comes to adjusting prices The Age, 31 July 2014, Brian Robins Vulnerable in a cry for help Herald Sun, 30 July 2014, Editorial Cold-hearted power comp...
Private car parking fines
Key points: Private car parks cannot ‘fine’ consumers Carefully consider your options if you get a demand for payment from a private car park As of 26 August 2015, there are restrictions on...
Are Private Car Parks “Fines” Legitimate?
One of the most common questions asked of our legal practice is about the legitimacy of private car park payment notices and how to challenge them. A number of car parks are operated by private compa...
Submission: Insurance Duty of Disclosure
Consumer Action has provided comments on the Commonwealth Treasury's proposed notices which explain the duty of disclosure consumers have when buying insurance. We broadly support these regulations, b...
Consumer Advocates and Financial Counsellors applaud Federal Parliament’s move to scrap $120 bankruptcy fee
Consumer advocates and financial counsellors have applauded Federal Parliament’s move to stop the Australian Financial Security Authority charging individuals a $120 to declare bankruptcy. The fee, i...
National Consumer Fraud Week 16 – 22 June
Have you ever wondered if someone is the real deal? These days, scammers are highly skilled at building deceptive relationships, using all sorts of tricks to convince you to trust them and part with y...
Consumers beware: Avoid solar panel pitfalls – use a retailer that has signed the code of conduct
The boom in the residential solar panel industry has created an array of problems for Victorian households due to a lack of appropriate consumer protections. Consumer Action’s lawyers get complaints a...
June 2014
Protection fund needed to win consumers’ trust Australian Financial Review, 5 June 2014, Gerard Brody...
May 2014
Regulators overlooking the power of simplicity Australian Financial Review, 30 May 2014, Gerard Brody Consumers told to check tap-and-go transactions as deception cases increase The Age, 28 May 2...
Think twice before using a credit repair company
Our legal and financial counselling services have heard from a number of Victorians concerned about the behaviour of several credit repair companies. These companies may claim to be able to improve yo...
Summary of Consumer Leases and Consumer Protection: Regulatory Arbitrage and Consumer Harm
Key points the regulatory distinction between 'consumer leases' and 'credit contracts' used in the National Credit Code is flawed and has created opportunities for regulatory arbitrage (defined b...
April 2014
Over the odds when power is bestowed on select few The Age, 12 April 2014, Brian Robins Energy Australia fined $1m in Federal Court over door-to-door sales practices ABC News, 9 April 2014, Amy Bainb...
Credit reporting late payment listing change to benefit consumers
Consumer Action welcomes the proposal to amend the new credit reporting laws so that the five day grace period for late payments recorded on a consumer’s credit report is extended to 14 days. Under...
Lawyer fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $75,000 to Legal services Commissioner
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has fined lawyer Victoria Nomikos of A’Beckett lawyers $25,000 and ordered her to pay $75,000 to the Legal Services Commissioner after the Commissioner...
March 2014
Optus warned over $8.8 million billing error Sydney Morning Herald, 27 March 2014, Paddy Wood Consumer groups lobby politicians over proposed changes to Future of Financial Advice reforms ABC New...
Credit reporting – correcting mistakes
Key message You have a right to have inaccurate information on your credit report corrected free of charge Significant changes to the information that can be contained on your credit report oc...
Credit reporting – getting a free copy of your credit report
[box type="note" icon="none"] Key message You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. [/box] Where is my credit report? Credit reports are created and held by private companies...
Federal Court finds ANZ late fees were penalty charges
The Federal Court has ruled that ANZ’s credit card late fees were penalty charges rather than a cost recovery measure. This is significant because, while businesses can recover the costs of late paym...
Submission: Energy White Paper 2014
Consumer Action was pleased to have the opportunity to comment on the Energy White Paper 2014. Our submission is available here....
February 2014
Spruikers exploit the vulnerable Lateline, 24 February 2014, Amy Bainbridge Consumer law lobby group says AGL bid to hike bills The Australian, 21 February 2014, Amanda Saunders News Corporation hop...
Help available for back to school costs
Consumer Action Law Centre’s financial counselling service MoneyHelp is preparing for calls from parents struggling to cope with back to schools costs. With many families still dealing with the financ...
January 2014
Qantas and Virgin skirting the law with unsolicited card mailouts Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 2014, Nathan Lynch Push to ban energy price increases during fixed-term contracts Herald Sun, 2...
December 2013
Privacy concerns over new credit card reporting rules ABC Online, 26 December 2013, Alison Caldwell Planned financial advice changes 'a step backwards', say consumer groups The World Today, 20 Decemb...
A cautionary tale about debt consolidation
Many people refinance or consolidate debts in an attempt to make their loan repayments more affordable in the short term. However, the overall cost of a new loan should be significantly lower than...
Why improved consumer protections for default judgment cases are needed
A recent report from the Consumer Action called for changes to Magistrates Court procedures to protect consumers from inaccurate law suits and inappropriate judgments. Each year 30,000 to 40,000 Victo...
November 2013
Concern finance inquiry will throw good regulation out with bad The World Today, 21 November 2013, Michael Janda Consumer groups worried David Murray's banking inquiry will focus too heavily on regul...
Plan ahead to avoid the New Year credit crunch
In the months after Christmas our financial counsellors hear from hundreds of Victorians struggling with Christmas debt. Their credit card bills have arrived and the cost of presents and festivities,...
October 2013
VCOSS concerned over 'discriminatory' new Victorian energy concessions ABC Online, 11 October 2013 AGL facing $50k fine for ignoring a Do Not Knock sign Herald Sun, 11 October 2013 AGL faces $...
Direct Share Purchasing Corporation – defence kit
This self help kit was written at a time when Direct Share Purchasing Corporation had sued a number of consumers. Changes to the law have made it unlikely that consumers will see these types of cases...
ABC’s 7.30 looks at businesses cashing in on people in financial stress
The ABC’s flagship current affairs program looked into businesses that seek to profit from Australians in financial stress, a key campaign area for Consumer Action. The report says these businesses ‘c...
Stop VicRoads from disclosing your personal information to private companies
VicRoads is being forced to disclose motorists’ personal information to private car park operators who then use that information to issue payment demands. Consumer Action is throwing its support be...
September 2013
Millions of Australians at risk of defaulting on their debts ABC News’ PM, 30 September 2013, Mandie Sami Payday D-day as Money3 buys rival Cash Store The Australian, 30 September 2013, Tim Boreham...