Consumer Protection

With millions of Australians tipped to spend record amounts this Black Friday, the value of personal credit and charge-card balances accruing interest has hit its highest level since 2021.

With Australians expected to spend billions this Black Friday, the consumer watchdog is warning about a growing number of "ghost stores" targeting unsuspecting shoppers and posing as local businesses promising premium goods, when in reality they are shipping fast fashion from overseas.

Superannuation giant Cbus will pay a $23.5 million fine after admitting it breached the law over major delays in its handling of insurance claims.

When it comes to Black Friday sales, most shoppers expect to be accosted with aggressive marketing material. But the cumulative effects of these ads can be damaging. 

Home owners are demanding action after years trying to access insurance payouts for failed plumbing work that has left properties a mess and, in some cases, unliveable. 

A crackdown on online payment services reveals "multiple examples of high-risk customers", as the Australian regulator orders a global company to appoint an external auditor.

Superannuation products that fail the federal government's performance test are still offered to those already retired at a potentially huge cost, according to the consumer advocate.

The consumer group is warning parents to be wary of the dangers of button batteries in seemingly harmless products aimed at children.

A major Australian sunscreen brand, Bondi Sands is the latest to announce recalls over potential SPF concerns, and the first to remove products from shelves that have not been identified as using the same problematic base formulation.

Patients of fertility giant Genea want the company held to account for a data breach earlier this year, amid concerns that some of its IT systems continue to fall short of best practice.

British authorities say Zhimin Qian was the mastermind behind a Ponzi scheme into which around 128,000 people invested billions of dollars.

The Wiggles will produce an episode of their parenting podcast, highlighting the product's recall and safety issues relating to button batteries. 

Outback retailer Urban Rampage withdraws its appeal on a Centrepay credit ban issued by Australia's financial regulator.

WA's consumer watchdog says scams are getting more sophisticated and cheaper to make, as an AI video of state premier Roger Cook sparks new concerns. 

Users of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are exposed to fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online casinos, and the sale of banned medical products.

Microsoft apologises to customers and says it will refund them, after the consumer watchdog alleged the tech giant misled about 2.7 million Australians over subscription costs so they would remain on more expensive plans.

A pensioner tells her nightmarish story as the financial crimes regulator takes action against a second Australian player in the booming crypto ATM business linked to lucrative scams and money laundering.

The Australian sunscreen manufacturer at the centre of a spate of recent product recalls has been blocked from exporting sunscreens to the United States for the past three years.

Authorities warn parents of the dangers of Halloween-themed toys bought online, after testing reveals 80 per cent fail to meet safety and information standards.

As the European Union proposes a ban on the entire PFAS chemical class, some researchers say Australia should do the same.