scam awareness
Five steps to take if you've been scammed
Think you might've fallen foul of a scam? Find out how to report and limit your losses.
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Scams Awareness Week
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Heartless romance scammers exploiting people with disability
People with disabilities who are looking for love are being hit especially hard by these common scams. -
Why aren't businesses doing more to stop scams?
4 out of 5 scam victims received no warning from their bank before transferring money to a scammer. -
How to check if a text or email is a scam
Received a message that looks a bit suspicious? Here's how to verify if it's authentic or the work of a scammer. -
AI voice scams: What you need to know
With the latest phone scams, it's even harder to spot fact from fake. -
Five steps to take if you've been scammed
Think you might've fallen foul of a scam? Find out how to report and limit your losses.
Take action
Sign the petition calling for strong new fairness laws
Dodgy businesses are exploiting a gap in Australia's consumer laws to trick, trap, pressure and exploit people with all kinds of unfair business practices. It’s clear some businesses won’t treat consumers fairly unless forced to, so it’s time to make unfair illegal. Sign the petition calling for strong new fairness laws now.
Latest stories
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Is it worth buying groceries in bulk from Costco, Amazon, Officeworks or Catch?
We compared prices on 100 grocery products – here’s what we found. Plus, tips for bulk buying and saving money on your shop. -
Mistreated Australian airline customers finally get some rights
A government white paper on aviation outlines new protections that have long been lacking. -
How Bring Your Bills Day is making a big difference
A community event is helping residents to increase their financial literacy and pay their bills. -
Stick vacuum cleaners to avoid buying
If you want clean floors and carpets, steer clear of these suckers, even if you find them for a steal in the sales. -
Kmart vs Philips air fryers: How do they compare?
We put these two brands – one budget, one established – head-to-head to help you decide what's right for you.
Have you got the best private cover?
Compare 49 health funds
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Cleaning
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The best and worst laundry detergents from our lab tests
Omo dominates, while some products still barely perform better than water. -
Which Dyson stick vacuum is right for you?
Looking for one of these cordless wonders? See our guide to the best Dysons from our tests. -
The most water-efficient washers
Which type of washeing machine uses up to 70% less water? -
Washing machine mistakes you don't know you're making
Lift your laundry game and save money, energy and water. -
The best stick vacs for carpet and hard floors
Tips to help you find the right stick vacuum. Plus, the top scorers for carpet and hard floors.
Making change together
How you've helped us make things fairer for Australians
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FEB 2024
Support for Youpla/ACBF victims
The Government announces $97 million to the Youpla Support Program to assist some victims. Thanks to ongoing advocacy by First Nations advocates, policyholders, and community organisations.
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DEC 2023
Win for fairness in financial advice
The Government announces that the best interests duty for financial advisers will stay in place, following advocacy to keep it by CHOICE and other groups. The rule ensures customers get helpful advice of a high standard.
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DEC 2023
Coles refunds thousands of customers
Following our complaint to the ACCC about Coles' false 'locked' price claims, the supermarket apologises for raising prices of 20 products before the end of promotional periods and refunds thousands of customers.
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SEPT 2023
Stronger renters’ rights in Vic
After a CHOICE report exposing invasive rent-tech, the Victorian Government commits to strengthening renters' rights, including restrictions on personal information collection and retention.
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SEPT 2023
Bank execs on notice as new rules pass
New legislation, the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR), passes. Once in force, the rules will hold top executives accountable for misconduct by banks, super funds or insurers. They are backed up by strong penalties.
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AUG 2023
Qantas backs down on COVID credits
Qantas removes the expiry date on credits for customers who had flights cancelled due to COVID, and allows them to ask for a refund. This follows our campaigns on travel rights, including awarding Qantas a Shonky for its behaviour in 2022.
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JUNE 2023
Win for victims of financial misconduct
A banking royal commission reform passes after decades of pressure from consumer groups. The compensation scheme of last resort will provide compensation for many victims.
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MAY 2023
Super advocate receives further funding
The Government commits an additional five years of funding to continue consumer advocacy in the superannuation sector.
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MAY 2023
Consumer protections from scams
The Government commits $86.5 million in funding to combat scams, including the establishment of the National Anti-Scams Centre.
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DEC 2022
ACCC takes action on shonky Bloomex
Following its 2022 Shonky Award, Bloomex is taken to court for publishing misleading online star ratings and price representations.
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NOV 2022
Grieving WA consumers now protected
Funeral operators must now display prices publicly and provide key information without requiring people to meet with a sales representative.
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OCT 2022
New fines for breaching consumer rights
Companies who harm, mislead or deceive consumers will face up to 5x greater penalties. For the first time ever, companies who rely on unfair contract terms will also face penalties.
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OCT 2022
Timeshare taken to task
Ultiqa will pay a $900,000 penalty for breaching financial advice protections for consumers thanks to action from ASIC. We raised the alarm in our super complaint in May 2021.
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SEPT 2022
A ban on binary options
These dodgy financial products share many characteristics with high risk gambling. CHOICE supported a ban to prevent consumer harm, and ASIC has extended that ban until 1 October 2031.
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AUG 2022
South Australia joins school banking ban
Private banks are banned from school banking programs in South Australia, joining Victoria, NSW, Queensland and ACT state governments. We awarded Dollarmites a Shonky in 2018.
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