Consumer Protection

Have you ever seen a social media post with the hashtag ‘spon’ or ‘sp’ and wondered what it meant?

This can often be an attempt to disclose they were paid, given gifts, or provided with other incentives to create the post.

Consumer Protection argues this is a very sneaky tactic.

Last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) conducted a sweep of social media influencers and found 81 per cent were posting content which raised concern under the Australian Consumer Law.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

• Warning for motorists about third-party companies intercepting insurance claims
• Victims told their vehicles are unsafe and need towing, even for minor damage
• Vehicles held to ransom until payment is made

Motorists involved in traffic accidents are being warned to watch out for rogue operators posing as their insurance companies who may misrepresent the need for towing services and then hold their cars hostage until substantial fees are paid.

Last month Consumer Protection issued a warning to real estate agents and landlords about the risks of using third party payment platforms.

As a tenant, you may have been asked to use one of these services to pay your rent, but did you know this means you might not be protected by Western Australian law should something happen to the real estate agent’s business? The same goes for landlords who may be receiving payments from their real estate agent via a third party payment service.

• Obsolete phones still for sale online, with seven consumer complaints received
• Newer 4G refurbished phone imports could be impacted by 3G shutdown
• Advice for consumers on how to check phones will still work

With the national shutdown of Australia’s 3G network just days away, consumers are warned to check their existing phones and to be wary of buying incompatible mobile phones that will no longer be able to make calls, send texts, or access emergency services like Triple 0.