The Federal Court has ordered Spreets Pty Ltd (Spreets) to pay total penalties of $600,000 for making false or misleading representations to consumers about deals offered on its online group buying website in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), in proceedings brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The 2015 National Consumer Congress was held on Friday 20 March at The Ivy in Sydney.
With a review of the Australian Consumer Law on the horizon, ACCC Chairman Rod Sims provides the National Consumer Congress with an update on recent consumer protection activities. He also outlines priorities for 2015 and explains the ACCC's increased focus on market analysis.
The Federal Court has declared by consent that both Fisher & Paykel Customer Services Pty Ltd (Fisher & Paykel) and Domestic & General Services Pty Ltd (Domestic & General) made a false or misleading representation in the course of offering an extended warranty to consumers, and imposed a pecuniary penalty of $200,000 on each business.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have launched 'Dealing with debt collectors: Your rights and responsibilities' a free guide that helps consumers in trouble with debt understand their options so they know how to deal with collectors and creditors.
The consumer guide explains:
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has reached a resolution with Telstra after an investigation into representations by Telstra to consumers who complained about faulty mobile phones.
The ACCC was concerned that, on some occasions, Telstra may have misled consumers about their consumer guarantee rights in relation to faulty mobile phones. Telstra’s representations may have caused some consumers to believe that they were not entitled to a refund, replacement or repair, when these remedies may have been available under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
The Federal Court has today ordered Breast Check Pty Ltd (now called PO Health Professionals Pty Ltd) (Breast Check) to pay a penalty of $75,000 for making false or misleading representations about its breast imaging services in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
The former director of Breast Check, Dr Alexandra Boyd, was ordered to pay penalties of $25,000 for being knowingly concerned or involved in Breast Check’s contraventions.
The Federal Court has today ordered Safe Breast Imaging Pty Ltd (SBI) to pay a penalty of $200,000 for making false representations about its breast imaging services, in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law.
Joanne Firth, the sole company director of SBI, was ordered to pay a penalty of $50,000 for her involvement in SBI’s contraventions, and was also disqualified from managing corporations for four years.