Consumer Action: ‘Strengthened anti-scam laws will help future victims’
Assistant Treasurer, Stephen Jones has announced strengthened pathways for victims to seek compensation where wrongdoing has occurred. A Ministerial Direction announced yesterday, will empower the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) to investigate every bank involved in the scam, both the sending and receiving bank.
Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin thanked the Assistant Treasurer for his action and said the new ministerial direction was a hard fought for win for future scam victims.
“It stands to reason that the receiving bank is a key link in the criminal chain and up to now AFCA hasn’t been able to investigate its culpability or provide related redress to victims.
“With these important changes, I am hopeful that future victims will have a better chance to get the compensation they deserve.”
Ms Tonkin said Consumer Action Law Centre has campaigned for years for to have both the sending and receiving bank investigated by AFCA.
“I look forward to working with AFCA and industry on the details and implementation of these changes, to ensure they really help victims recover the money lost to scams through no fault of their own,” she said.
ENDS
Media contact: Mark Pearce mark@consumeraction.org.au Tel: 0413 299 567
