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....
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...
Driving change—effective motor vehicle dispute resolution
Many of the cases we are asked for advice on relate to second hand cars, the traders who sell or lease them, and the credit agencies who provide loans or leases. Going to court is intimidating for mos...
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...
Power for People—essential service vs market commodity
Energy bills form a disproportionately high slice of the outgoings of low income and vulnerable consumers. Those who are experiencing financial hardship on multiple fronts are likely to find their out...
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...
Stop the Rip Offs – building the case for unfair trading prohibitions
High pressure sales practices are designed to get people to buy products they don’t want, don’t need, and can’t afford. In the worst cases, consumers are deliberately misled, and some even sign up to...
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...
Move to emissions trading scheme could wipe $185 off annual power bills—but regulators must play a role
As delegates converge on Brisbane for the annual regulators conference, Consumer Action Law Centre has urged national and state energy regulators to ensure any move to an emission trading scheme resul...
Debt collection lawyer breached professional conduct rules
Consumer Action has welcomed the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s ruling that debt collection lawyer, Ms Pippa Sampson, of law firm Goddard Elliot, breached professional conduct rules whe...
Have you received an unexpectedly high electricity or gas bill?
Have you received an unexpectedly high electricity or gas bill? If so, you should visit https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/ for information about why you might have a high energy bill and what you can...
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...
Financial hardship: What can I do if I am having difficulty paying my loan or lease payments?
[box type="note" icon="none"] Key points: if you cannot pay your loan or lease because you are in financial difficulty (hardship) you may have the right to have your payments reduced, or changed in...
Seeking help when you’re experiencing financial hardship – common problems and solutions
Key points: Getting a hardship variation will generally be trouble free. There are simple steps to take if your request does not go according to plan. This information is intended for Victoria...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
What can I do if I am having difficulty paying my loan or lease payments?
Key points: if you cannot pay your loan or lease because you are in financial difficulty (hardship) you may have the right to have your payments reduced, or changed in some other way. this i...
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 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...
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...
Media release: Simple online ‘No Contact Form’ the latest tool to stop door-to-door energy sales
There is a new weapon in the fight against pesky and persistent door-to-door energy salespeople. Australians can now visit www.donotknock.org.au, fill out a simple form, and have their ‘Do Not Knock’...
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...
Consumer Affairs asked to investigate National Warranty Company
The National Warranty Company (NWC) sells warranty products to people buying new and used motor vehicles. But Consumer Action recently had concerns about a NWC 'Grand Warranty Plan' provided in 2012 a...
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...
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...
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...
ASIC raises concern about Carboodle’s ‘potentially misleading representations’
Car lease company, Green Light Auto Group Pty Limited which trades as Carboodle, has recently written to its customers about potentially misleading claims. In summary, Carboodle says that it promoted...
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...
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...
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...
Submission: ASIC Consultation Paper on an online database for small amount lenders
Joint submission with Financial Counselling Australia and the Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) to ASIC's Consultation Paper on an online database for small amount lenders. The Consumer Action Law Ce...
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...
Fair Work Ombudsman’s new report a welcome addition to work experience debate
Consumer Action welcomes the Fair Work Ombudsman’s new report into unpaid work experience and internships. Experience or Exploitation? The nature, prevalence and regulation of unpaid work experience,...
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...
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...
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...
Keeping Food on the Table – training and support to Victorian Community Legal Centres
Consumer Action has received funding from the Legal Service Board to provide training and support to Victorian Community Legal Centres. The project aims to build the capacity of the Community Legal C...
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...
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...
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...
Consumer Action supports improved regulation of unsupervised finance and debenture companies
Consumer Action has voiced its support for improved regulation of unsupervised finance and debenture companies. The Centre believes the recent collapse of Banksia in regional Victoria has highlighted...
December 2012
Companies too quick to disconnect utilities: report ABC News, 11 December 2012 Big increase in gas, electricity disconnections ABC News, 10 December 2012 12 days of Christmas on the cards Syd...
Consumer Action welcomes the Victorian Government’s plan to establish a Fire Services Monitor
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the Victorian Government’s plan to establish a Fire Services Monitor to protect consumer interests as changes are made to the way the fire services levy is admi...
The Age publishes recording of ACM Group attempting to collect debts
A recent Federal Court ruling found debt collection agency ACM Group (and its predecessor Accounts Control Management Services) engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct as well as undue harassment...
November 2012
Price rises in gas, electricity contracts under fire News.com.au, 25 November 2012, Karen Collier Kogan, Telstra leak Click Frenzy discounts ahead of online sales News.com.au, 20 November 2012,...
Debt collection – keeping a record of debt collector contact
Even if you owe money, the law protects you against unlawful debt collection conduct. See our fact sheets on What can I do if a debt collector calls? for more information. This Debt Collection Contac...