The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has recently launched key components of its strategy for Indigenous consumer protection, including two short films and revamped its Indigenous consumer hotline. NT Regional Director Derek Farrell explained that the films are aimed at educating Indigenous consumers about their rights and focus on direct debit contracts and scams, and…
Tag Archive for ACCC
New Email Scam
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning the public that a recent spate of hoax emails have been sent out advising people they are entitled to $400. ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard explained that the email claims that ACCC action against a scammer resulted in an order to pay $195,000. It goes on to…
be aware of holiday scams
by themovieboards - Editor •
The ACCC has received 1,650 complaints about travel scams this year, with $100,000 reported lost. Most complainants were contacted by phone and many were offered holiday vouchers for $2,000 or $3,000. Others were sold fake trips to Florida or the Bahamas including tickets to theme parks or cruises at greatly discounted rates. “While you are…
ACCC reminding Dads to remember DIY project safety
by themovieboards - Editor •
With Father’s Day this Sunday the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is reminding dads that safety comes first when completing DIY projects around the home. “Hardware, tools and equipment are popular gifts for dads but it’s important to remember that many injuries and deaths occur during maintenance and DIY activities around the home,” ACCC Deputy…
ACCC warns parents to be aware of choking hazards for babies and toddlers
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today released a free do-it-yourself ‘Choke Check’ safety tool to help parents detect choking hazards for babies and toddlers. “Children up to 36 months old are especially vulnerable to choking and ingestion hazards from a range of common objects found in and outside the home,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia…
ACCC planning to reratify ATM sub-network fee free agreement
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has proposed to reauthorise an agreement between members of the FeeSmart ATM sub-network to not charge each other’s cardholders a fee for transactions at ATMs owned by members. “The proposed arrangements assist in addressing the competitive disadvantage that FeeSmart members might otherwise face in providing ATM services to cardholders…
Button Battery Safety Week
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is continuing to work with industry to reduce the risk of serious injuries and deaths of children swallowing coin-sized lithium button batteries. The effort comes as the ACCC joins consumer product regulators in Europe, Asia, North and South America and New Zealand in an international effort to alert the…
Nearly $90mill lost to scams in 2013
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Targeting Scams Report 2013 reveals that over 90,000 Australians reported scams to the ACCC last year, with $89,136,975 million reported lost, this figure was down on the $93 million that was lost in 2012. With the start of National Fraud Week the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce, led by the…
ACCC says be aware of winter product safety
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is encouraging consumers to check the Recalls Australia website or download the Recalls Australia app so they can warm up safely this winter. “Of particular concern is the low return rate of recalled electric blankets. Over 400,000 unsafe electric blankets recalled since 2010, many due to the risk of…
ACCC warns of quad bike risks
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is urging safe quad bike use ahead of the Easter long weekend. Sadly, there have been five quad bike related deaths this year, with 60 deaths reported between 2011 and 2013. “Riding a quad bike can be a very dangerous activity. All riders, no matter how experienced, need to…