consumer protection
Car dealers using buy now, pay later to get around responsible lending limits
CHOICE joins WA consumer groups to express alarm at reports of car dealers using buy now, pay later transactions to avoid the safe lending limitations that protect consumers.
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Cost of living
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Complaints about estimated energy bills on the rise
Customers should check their bills, as retailers turn to estimating energy use instead of reading meters during COVID. -
5 steps to better, cheaper health insurance
With many premiums set to increase in April, here's how you can secure a cheaper price for your health cover and save money. -
Save money on groceries: how unit pricing can help
Take a closer look at supermarket pricing labels to see where you can save. -
Life hacks: Simple money habits to adopt right now
How to get on top of your finances before they get on top of you. -
6 money-saving tips for using your dryer
When line drying isn't an option, here's how to use your clothes dryer without breaking the bank.
Take action
Is automated decision-making fair?
Companies like Airbnb could be using algorithms to make decisions automatically that affect consumers. But without transparency, there's a risk of bias and discrimination. CHOICE is investigating these issues now and want to hear your thoughts. Have your say.
Consumers and data
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Is Airbnb using an algorithm to ban users from platform?
Airbnb may be using automated decision-making to leave some users out in the cold. -
Buy now, pay later providers move into the data business
How BNPL providers, like Afterpay, Humm, Klarna and Zip are using and sharing your personal data for profit. -
Why cybersecurity is a consumer safety issue
The same consumer protections should apply both online and offline. -
Privacy policy comparison reveals half have poor readability
We analysed privacy policies from 75 leading apps and websites and found them to be long and in some cases unreadable. -
'Insurtech' uses your data to tailor your insurance policy
But there are concerns around consumer privacy and data accuracy.
Making change together
How you've helped us make things fairer for Australians
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november 2021
New rights for NSW travellers
NSW introduces a minimum information standard to help people better understand what will happen if their trip is cancelled. It is the first state to act on the cancellation chaos caused by COVID-19.
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OCTober 2021
Timeshare taken to task
Troubled company Ultiqa faces court for allegedly breaching financial advice laws following a 2017 complaint from CHOICE. The timeshare industry is now on notice: to clean up harmful sales practices or risk more legal action.
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october 2021
Commonwealth Bank drops Dollarmites
The CBA announces it will no longer run dodgy school marketing scheme the Dollarmites. This comes off the back of 4 states and territories banning bank-run school marketing schemes.
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October 2021
Private health funds return COVID profits
The big 5 health insurers announce they will give refunds for profits made while customers couldn't access health services.
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september 2021
Refunds for landlord insurer ‘robodebt’
Chubb and GIO Insurance drop claims against renters for damage they didn’t cause. This comes after CHOICE reveals unfairness in the landlord insurance market. Now the pressure is on for industry-wide reform.
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september 2021
Funeral company pays penalty for misleading fees
The ACCC continues to stamp out unfair fees in the funeral sector, penalising Alex Gow Funerals for allegedly misleading consumers on funeral pricing.
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august 2021
Mamakiddies Happy Dino Portable Travel Cot recalled
CHOICE testing discovers the portacot has suffocation, strangulation and limb-entrapment risks. The product is recalled, meaning it can no longer be sold in shops, online or in secondary markets.
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JULY 2021
CHOICE calls for seven solutions to travel chaos
A landmark CHOICE report calls for 7 sensible changes to Australian travel regulations, putting the power back into the hands of consumers. The solutions are welcomed by Rex airlines and independent politicians.
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JUNE 2021
Safe lending saved (for now)
The laws that would remove safe lending protections are stuck in the Senate thanks to CHOICE supporters and not-for-profit allies persuading cross-bench Senators to protect consumers.
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JUNE 2021
Super reforms to secure your future
Super Consumers Australia helped the “Your Super, Your Future” reforms pass parliament. They’ll save an estimated $17.9 bn over 10 years by ending costly duplicate accounts, getting rid of poor-performing funds and making it easier for people to find better options via a new comparison tool.
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MAY 2021
Mosaic fined for selling dud sanitiser
Last year a CHOICE member tipped us off to dodgy hand sanitiser being sold by Mosaic Brands. After our tests revealed the label was misleading, Mosaic was fined $630,000 for selling hand sanitiser without enough alcohol and will refund customers.
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april 2021
Win for fair fire definitions
Thanks to community pressure, all major Australian home and contents insurers with previously bad definitions of fire have made or committed to making their definitions fairer.
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april 2021
QLD and ACT ban Dollarmites
Two new jurisdictions will end school marketing schemes like Dollarmites. Now it’s time for other states and territories to step up and end programs targeted at Australian kids.
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March 2021
Funeral company fined
Propel Funeral Partners was issued an infringement notice by the ACCC for making false and misleading claims about the "local and independent" ownership. The fine comes after CHOICE discovered instances of misinformation and poor transparency in the sector.
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MARCH 2021
Hitachi customers awarded cash back
When CHOICE lab tests found some Hitachi fridges used more energy than claimed, the regulator forced the company to hand customers back $174 to reflect the extra cost of using the product.
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March 2021
Better banking rules pass
The government passed more banking royal commission recommendation into law, requiring advisers to provide annual forward-looking statements to customers to prevent another fees-for-no-service scandal.
Latest stories
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How to buy the best coffee machine
Automatic or manual? Pods or capsules? Our expert guide will help you choose. -
Best electricity providers: Diamond Energy, Enova Energy and Momentum Energy
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How to buy the best fridge
Everything you need to know to find the right fridge for your household. -
How wireless mesh networks can boost your home's Wi-Fi signal
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4 earphones to avoid
These earbuds performed so poorly they should be called ear-duds.
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