The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will be out and about raising awareness of scams during South Australia's Law Week, which runs next week from 11-15 May.
"Every day of Law Week, ACCC staff will be at a major shopping centre in Adelaide to promote awareness of scams, the SCAMwatch website* and increasing consumer awareness of the law regarding statutory warranties and refunds," ACCC Deputy Chair, Mr Peter Kell, said today.
"ACCC officers will be attending the following shopping centres to talk with consumers about the ACCC's role and what it can do to help:
- Monday 11 May – Marion shopping centre
- Tuesday 12 May – Elizabeth shopping centre
- Wednesday 13 May – Nourlunga shopping centre
- Thursday 14 May – Mitcham shopping centre
- Friday 15 May – Rundle Mall
"In addition the ACCC, in conjunction with the South Australian Office of Consumer and Business Affairs and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, will be talking with Years 11 and 12 students on what it means to be a smart consumer.
"Designed to alert younger consumers about their rights and responsibilities, topics to be covered will include buying a mobile phone, buying a second hand car, renting and taking out a loan.
"Basic concepts such as contractual arrangements, statutory rights if things go wrong, due diligence, going guarantor and understanding the deal offered will also be covered.
"The schools to be visited are Blackwood High School, Pembroke College, Marden Senior College and Woodcroft College."
Mr Kell said that events such as Law Week were an excellent opportunity for consumers to learn more about their entitlements "straight from the horse's mouth".
"ACCC officers deal daily with consumers problems and are able to advise the best course of action, how and where to complain and how to gain redress."
Law Week is coordinated by the South Australian Institute of Justice Studies.
In addition to Law Week, Mr Kell will be delivering the Justice Oration in Adelaide on Thursday 21 May from 7.30 p.m. at the Lecture Theatres N210, TAFE SA Adelaide City Campus, 120 Currie Street, Adelaide.
The address is Financial stress and vulnerability: the perfect recipe for scams. Information regarding the oration are available from Justice and Policing Studies, SA Institute of Justice Studies on (08) 8207 8322 or justice.policing@tafesa.edu.au.
*SCAMwatch website: www.scamwatch.gov.au. SCAMwatch helps consumers and business to recognise, report and protect themselves from scams. SCAMwatch is a website owned and maintained by the ACCC and is also the campaign portal for the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce.