Consumer rights
Businesses blacklisted and hit with scathing reviews over COVID stance
Anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers are blacklisting small businesses for enforcing mask rules and QR codes.
- by Henrietta Cook
Latest
Victoria's largest independent car dealer accused of selling lemons
As used car sales boom, some consumers claim they are being sold faulty vehicles.
- by Henrietta Cook
Telcos slammed for signing up customers to unwanted phone deals
Eighty-year-old dementia patient Len Smith was sold a phone plan he didn’t need or want. His daughter has spent more than a year trying to recoup the cash.
- by Henrietta Cook
Consumers in legal fight for refunds after COVID cancellations
Victorians who paid deposits for holidays and weddings that were scuppered by the pandemic are taking their grievances to VCAT.
- by Henrietta Cook
‘I can’t sleep’: Household debt escalates as Victorians struggle to pay bills
Victorians like Jen are retreating to bed early because they can’t afford to turn on the gas heater.
- by Henrietta Cook
Pricing tribunal takes aim at funeral providers for not disclosing costs to grieving families
Fewer than half of NSW funeral providers had all the cost information they are legally required to provide on their websites.
- by Daniella White
Exclusive
Renewables
Solar cowboys: Door-to-door sales crackdown in government’s sights
The salesman who knocked on Max Johansen’s door had an offer that sounded too good to be true. Turns out, it was.
- by Henrietta Cook and Clay Lucas
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Surge in disconnections puts Victorians in the dark
After halting disconnections for most of last year due to the financial impacts of the pandemic, energy retailers are stepping up their action against those who haven’t paid their bills.
- by Henrietta Cook
FinTech app for pay advances proves popular but comes with a warning
MyPayNow gives people an advance on their next pay packet and has reached 30,000 users since launching in July.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Opinion
Fintech
Buy now, pay later: you say innovation, I say gateway to debt
FinTech is delivering new ways to get into debt.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Opinion
Opinion
How to avoid being ripped off when buying your pandemic essentials
Seeing the chance for a quick buck, sharks and rip-off merchants have moved into the market.
- by Joel Gibson