When deciding how much to pay for a second-hand car, top of mind may be the number of kilometres the vehicle has already travelled.
Your first step may be to check the vehicle’s odometer reading, however a recent court case has illustrated why investigating further could be a smart move.
Western Australians are being reminded about the dangers of portable pools during an annual national campaign involving consumer protection agencies, product safety regulators and the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia.
The ‘Don’t Duck Out, Make It SAFE’ initiative takes place each year because on average one child dies from drowning in a portable pool annually, with other kids needing hospital treatment and some suffering permanent brain damage.
Winter is here, so consumers are being reminded to stay safe when using products like hot water bottles, which cause serious burns to hundreds of Australians each year.
One of the most recent cases involved a 20-year-old man from Melbourne who was treated in hospital for second and third degree burns to his hands and thighs when a hot water bottle burst on his lap.
A reason why hot water bottles can pose a safety risk is that the rubber or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) they’re made from can break or deteriorate over time, so it’s important to regularly check for wear and tear.
With Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping
Have you ever experienced an electric shock or tingling sensation in your home while touching a metal object like a bathroom tap? It could be a warning sign of a dangerous electrical fault that mustn’t be ignored.
Owing money and missing repayments can be stressful, so the last thing many people in financial difficulty need is to be charged more money for help getting their debt under control.
That’s why Consumer Protection urges consumers to choose free debt management advice where possible over other high-cost options.
While debt management service companies may claim to be able to fix debt problems, these businesses charge fees and may not always be able to resolve the issues.
As rents rise across Western Australia, many tenants may discover that in addition to paying more weekly rent, there is a further expense being asked of them.
When rent is increased at a property, a landlord or property manager may request the tenant pay extra money to ‘top-up’ their security bond.
Would you pay for something you’re entitled to get for free? Buying an extended warranty on new whitegoods, electronics or even a car could mean you’re doing exactly that.
This is because products are automatically guaranteed in a number of ways under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which may apply even after the warranty period has lapsed.
ASIC has today released an information sheet for providers of debt management services that explains their new regulatory obligations, including the requirement to be licensed.
The National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Debt Management Services) Regulations 2021 (Regulations), made on 29 April 2021, prescribe certain debt management services as a ‘credit activity’ for the purposes of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (National Credit Act).
Gary Newcombe has taken the baton to become Western Australia's new Commissioner for Consumer Protection.
He replaces Lanie Chopping, who has been appointed as interim Director General for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
