The ACCC recently published the 5th edition of The little black book of scams with up-to-date, easy-to-read information to help consumers avoid the many scams, swindles, rorts and rip-offs that they may be tempted by. Each chapter identifies a type of scam, explains how to recognise it and how to protect yourself. The booklet also includes scambuster classroom activities and a list of contacts through which you can report scams and get help dealing with a swindle.
Australians lose much money each year by believing and investing in scams devised by scam artists. Scammers are constantly developing new ways to re-invent old scams. The booklet reinforces the message:
Don’t be fooled, if the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is
An electronic version of The little black book of scams is available on the ACCC website at www.accc.gov.au.
Further growth in broadband connections
The take-up of broadband services is approaching three million connections, as reported in the recently released ACCC Snapshot of broadband deployment.
The report shows that as at the end of December 2005, there were 2 785 000 broadband services connected across Australia. Of these, more than two million were ADSL connections.
During 2005 the take-up of broadband services increased by 85 per cent, or a further 1.25 million customers. ADSL and other DSL broadband services by far exhibited the strongest growth.
However, there was also steady growth in the take-up of broadband delivered by other technologies, including satellite and cable. There are also signs that take-up of wireless broadband services is beginning to increase.
Snapshot of broadband deployment is available on the ACCC website at www.accc.gov.au.
ACCC update
One of the best ways to keep abreast of ACCC activities is to read its bi-monthly publication, ACCC update.
The most recent issue, no. 18, covers issues such as the Australian Energy Regulator, fair trading in the jewellery industry, cartel policy and product safety.
The next issue, which will appear in early May, contains much valuable information for small businesses, especially on unconscionable conduct and misleading job advertising.
