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Media release

ACCC sweep uncovers concerning online shopping return policies and terms and conditions

The ACCC has conducted a sweep of more than two thousand Australian retail websites and has found some businesses using terms and conditions that may contravene the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

Media release

Optus in court for alleged unconscionable sales and debt collection

The ACCC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court alleging that Optus Mobile engaged in unconscionable conduct in contravention of the ACL when selling telecommunications goods and services to hundreds of consumers, that they often did not want or need, and in some cases then pursuing consumers for debts resulting from these sales.

Media release

Broken but out of warranty? Your consumer guarantee rights may still apply

The ACCC is encouraging Australians to take advantage of their consumer guarantee rights under the Australian Consumer Law when dealing with businesses over defective products or poorly performed services, following more than 28,000 reports and enquiries to the ACCC last year about consumer guarantees or warranties.

Media release

Major car parts supplier and retailers pay penalties for alleged breaches of button battery standard

Repco, Supercheap Auto and Innovative Mechatronics Group (IMG) (an automotive electrical parts supplier), have each paid penalties after the ACCC issued them with infringement notices for supplying aftermarket car key remotes that allegedly breached warning requirements for products powered by button batteries.

Media release

ACCC concerns about Mitsubishi discount offer resolved following consumer refunds

Following ACCC concerns that Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (Mitsubishi) may have made false or misleading claims to members of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) about discounts available to them off the price of vehicles, Mitsubishi has provided partial refunds to affected consumers.

Media release

Fitbit in court over statements to consumers on faulty devices

The ACCC has instituted Federal Court proceedings against US-based Fitbit LLC for allegedly making false or misleading representations to consumers about their consumer guarantee rights under the Australian Consumer Law after their Fitbit wearable devices malfunctioned.

Media release

Revitalife refunds consumers and provides undertaking to the ACCC

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Clews Holdings Pty Ltd, trading as Revitalife, after the ACCC raised concerns about the sales practices Revitalife used when selling therapeutic adjustable beds and recliner lift chairs.

Media release

Clothing retailer Tiger Mist pays penalties for allegedly misleading consumers about return rights

Online clothing label and retailer A&S Labels Pty Ltd (trading as Tiger Mist) has paid penalties of $26,640 after the ACCC issued it with two infringement notices for allegedly misleading consumers about their right to return faulty items.

Media release

Former Get Qualified Australia CEO Adam Wadi declared bankrupt

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has granted an order sought by the ACCC, declaring Mr Adam Wadi, formerly Get Qualified Australia Pty Ltd’s (GQA) sole director and CEO, bankrupt.

Media release

Booktopia in court for alleged false or misleading claims on refund rights

The ACCC has instituted Federal Court proceedings against online retailer Booktopia Pty Ltd for making false or misleading representations to consumers about their rights to refunds and other remedies for faulty or damaged goods.

Media release

Mazda misled consumers about their rights over refund or replacement for faulty cars

The Federal Court has found that Mazda Australia Pty Ltd engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations to nine consumers about their consumer guarantee rights.

Media release

Shaw Academy to refund students over difficulty cancelling online courses

Shaw Academy Ltd has agreed to refund hundreds of former students after admitting some students experienced difficulties cancelling a free trial offered by Shaw Academy before it became a paid subscription to the company’s online courses.

Media release

Small business contacts continue to rise during pandemic

The ACCC received over 3,500 contacts from small businesses in the first six months of this year, the highest number of contacts in the last two years.

Media release

ACCC action sees APT commit to providing customers higher refund amounts for COVID-19 cancellations

Thousands of Australians will receive additional refund amounts for cancelled travel after Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd (APT), trading as APT and Travelmarvel, agreed to stop deducting marketing and overhead costs from booking refunds and to reimburse customers who had previously had these costs deducted from their refund.

Media release

Marking 10 years since the transformation of Australian consumer law

The Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which came into effect on 1 January 2011, was a significant legal and economic reform that heralded a new era in Australian consumer protection by introducing a single national consumer law and civil penalties, ACCC Chair Rod Sims said today.

Media release

Small businesses look for guidance during pandemic

Total ACCC contacts from small businesses increased to more than 3,400 in the second half of 2020, and enquiries about those businesses’ legal rights and obligations jumped 30 per cent.

Media release

ADT Security undertakes to refund customers and remove unfair terms

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from home security provider Tyco Australia Group Pty Ltd, trading as ADT Security, to refund consumers who were wrongly invoiced, and to remove or amend certain unfair contract terms from its residential customer service agreement.

Media release

Live Life Alarms pays penalties for allegedly misleading statements on its website

Personal mobile alarm company Flight Plan Digital Pty Ltd, trading as Live Life Alarms, has paid penalties of $25,200 after the ACCC issued two infringement notices for alleged false or misleading representations made on its website in relation to a testimonial and its ‘14 day money back guarantee’.

Media release

Etihad offers refunds for all cancelled flights purchased in Australia

The ACCC has welcomed Etihad’s recent decision to offer refunds to all consumers who purchased Etihad tickets in Australia which were then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Media release

Get Gizmo to refund customers charged during cooling off period

Electronics retailer Get Gizmo will offer to refund approximately 4,000 customers who were charged for unsolicited purchases before the 10 day cooling off period ended, under a court-enforceable undertaking given to the ACCC by its sole director, Himanshu Bist.

Media release

Freedom Furniture pays penalties for allegedly misleading consumers about rights to refunds

Steinhoff Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (Steinhoff), trading as Freedom Furniture, has paid penalties totalling $25,200 after the ACCC issued it with two infringement notices for alleged false or misleading representations to customers about their consumer guarantee rights.

Media release

Qantas offers refunds for flight cancellations

The ACCC says it is pleased Qantas has begun contacting its customers to tell them they are entitled to a refund for domestic or international flights cancelled or suspended due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Media release

EB Games undertakes to refund consumers for the Fallout 76 game

Electronics Boutique Australia Pty Ltd (trading as EB Games) has undertaken to refund consumers after acknowledging they are likely to have misled consumers about their consumer guarantee rights in relation to faults with the online video game Fallout 76.

Media release

Flight Centre to refund cancellation fees

The ACCC has welcomed the announcement that Flight Centre will stop charging customers hundreds of dollars in cancellation fees in order to get a refund for travel cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACCC sweep uncovers concerning online shopping return policies and terms and conditions

Optus in court for alleged unconscionable sales and debt collection

Broken but out of warranty? Your consumer guarantee rights may still apply

Major car parts supplier and retailers pay penalties for alleged breaches of button battery standard

ACCC concerns about Mitsubishi discount offer resolved following consumer refunds

Fitbit in court over statements to consumers on faulty devices

Revitalife refunds consumers and provides undertaking to the ACCC

Clothing retailer Tiger Mist pays penalties for allegedly misleading consumers about return rights

Former Get Qualified Australia CEO Adam Wadi declared bankrupt

Booktopia in court for alleged false or misleading claims on refund rights

Mazda misled consumers about their rights over refund or replacement for faulty cars

Shaw Academy to refund students over difficulty cancelling online courses

Small business contacts continue to rise during pandemic

ACCC action sees APT commit to providing customers higher refund amounts for COVID-19 cancellations

Marking 10 years since the transformation of Australian consumer law

Small businesses look for guidance during pandemic

ADT Security undertakes to refund customers and remove unfair terms

Live Life Alarms pays penalties for allegedly misleading statements on its website

Etihad offers refunds for all cancelled flights purchased in Australia

Get Gizmo to refund customers charged during cooling off period

Freedom Furniture pays penalties for allegedly misleading consumers about rights to refunds

Qantas offers refunds for flight cancellations

EB Games undertakes to refund consumers for the Fallout 76 game

Flight Centre to refund cancellation fees

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