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...
October 1, 2013

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...
September 2, 2013

Fixed means fixed

Victorian energy retailers are able to vary their customers’ electricity tariff provided retailers give customers correct notification. This is even the case with a fixed term electricity contract, i....
August 9, 2013

Consumer InterAction – Issue 4 of 2013

The fourth edition of Consumer InterAction for 2013 is now online. In this edition: Default judgments in the spotlight; Simply and Red Energy lag behind; Funeral insurance marketing exposed; Debt col...
August 5, 2013

Profiting from Poverty—making a buck from bad luck

Low-income debtors often get the worst deal when it comes to dealing with debt—inaccessible or weak hardship assistance, particularly for those in long-term hardship; misleading or severe debt collect...
August 5, 2013

Slippery slopes and dodgy dealings—consumer leases

Financial inclusion is not only about access to financial services, but protection from exploitative products that are inappropriate to consumers’ needs. Consumer leases, or ‘rent to own’ deals as the...
August 5, 2013

August 2013

Power grab by utilities over debts Herald Sun, 30 August 2013, Karen Collier Consumer groups demand action on funeral cover Insurance News, 26 August 2013 Consumers urged to mute funeral insurance a...
August 2, 2013

July 2013

A consumer group is calling for action over what it calls 'procedural failings' in Magistrates courts across Victoria ABC News, 21 July 2013, Amy Bainbridge ASIC intervention guidelines welcomed Insu...
July 3, 2013

Will consolidating my debts help?

Key message Get advice about all your options before: taking out a new loan to pay all your existing loans taking out a loan to consolidate your debt For free, independent and confidenti...
June 30, 2013

How do I get more information about my loan?

Key points: If you are a borrower, mortgagor, or guarantor, under most consumer credit contracts the creditor is obliged by law to give you: your credit contract, mortgage, or guarantee; acco...
June 30, 2013

Cancelling a direct debit on a statement account

Key Message: You can cancel a direct debit from your bank account (not a credit card); Get advice about the consequences of not paying a debt before you stop payments. What is a direct debi...
June 30, 2013

Bank Fees Refund Scam

Use this Fact Sheet if: You have received an unsolicited phone call from someone claiming to be from Consumer Action or a similar organisation; AND They claimed that the bank has overcharged y...
June 30, 2013

Timeshare schemes

Key messages carefully consider what you are getting before you purchase an interest in a timeshare scheme; or there are a number of protections that may assist you if you think you have got a ba...
June 30, 2013

Debt collection – your right to stop contact

Key Message: A creditor or debt collector must not contact you about a debt if you tell them in writing not to contact you about the debt. However, the debt collector can make a genuine threat of...
June 30, 2013

Outsmart the Scammers during Fraud Week

Have you ever bought or sold something online, only to find that the person at the other end isn’t the real deal? National Consumer Fraud Week 2013 is all about outsmarting scammers online by learnin...
June 17, 2013

June 2013

Doorknocking sales to get ditched by Origin Energy Herald Sun, 19 June 2013, Karen Collier Origin stops door-to-door sales ABC Online, 19 June 2013, Amy Bainbridge Origin scraps door-to-door sales T...
June 6, 2013

Consumer InterAction – Issue 3 of 2013

The third edition of Consumer InterAction for 2013 is now online. This edition includes information on: New Director of Policy & Campaigns announced; New tool to stop door knockers; Regulator...
May 29, 2013

Total replacement insurance for home buildings

Earlier this year our former CEO, Catriona Lowe, appeared on ABC TV's The Checkout suggesting that consumers look for total replacement cover when shopping around for insurance. Since then we've had a...
May 15, 2013

May 2013

The power of flexibility Christine Long, 26 May 2013, The Age AGL launches ‘do not knock’ sticker campaign while fighting legal battle against stickers UmBRELLA, 23 May 2013, Nic Christensen A...
May 7, 2013

April 2013

Draft ruling by utilities regulator could mean water retailers slug customers with 25pc rise Herald Sun, 23 April 2013, Karen Collier Push for air conditioners to be fitted with remote switches...
April 22, 2013

New Indigenous consumer education film released by ACCC

A new Indigenous consumer education film is now available from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The film, ‘Six Simple Rules’, encourages Indigenous consumers to use their ref...
April 10, 2013

Nimble one cent loan could be setting you up to fail

A recent report looking at use of short-term cash loans showed half of borrowers interviewed had taken out more than ten loans in the previous two years, and three quarters of this group had taken out...
April 5, 2013

Consumer InterAction – Issue 2 of 2013

The second edition of Consumer InterAction for 2013 is now online. This edition includes information on: New Consumer Action CEO; Energy retailers end door-to-door sales; Review of Centrepay; Th...
March 26, 2013

New CEO Appointment

The Board of Consumer Action Law Centre is very pleased to announce that Gerard Brody has been appointed CEO, following a rigorous recruitment process. Gerard has been the Director Policy and Campaig...
March 7, 2013

ASIC’s strong action against Zaam Rentals welcomed

Consumer Action is pleased to see ASIC take strong action against credit licence holder Zaam Rentals – the cancellation of Zaam Rentals’ credit licence should act as a warning to other credit provider...
February 12, 2013

Revised Code of Banking Practice

Today marks the beginning of the revised Banking Code of Practice. The Code specifies how banks should treat their customers and represents a contract between the two parties, giving banking customers...
January 31, 2013

Consumer InterAction – Issue 1 of 2013

The first edition of Consumer InterAction for 2013 is now online. This edition features articles on: Proposed VCAT fees increases; Unfair contract terms extended to insurance industry; R...
January 24, 2013

Amendments to privacy legislation

Amendments to privacy legislation regulating credit reporting passed Federal Parliament late last year.  While the reforms won't come into effect until March 2014, lenders can already begin collecting...
January 11, 2013

January 2013

Water price rises may slow as report urges desal payback delay Herald Sun, 31 January 2013, Karen Collier How to cure Christmas credit hangover Herald Sun, 13 January 2013, Karina Barrymore Victoria...
January 8, 2013

Consumer Action’s 2011/2012 Annual Report

Consumer Action’s 2011/2012 Annual Report is now available and features information about our: Legal practice; policy team; MoneyHelp financial counselling service; Volunteer program; and Outrea...
December 14, 2012

Accessing free insurance advice

The Financial Rights Legal Centre provides a range of self help kits on insurance matters. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority also offers insurance fact sheets on: Life Insuranc...
December 6, 2012