Consumer rights
Exclusive
Investigations
‘Not a single care’: Victims of HSBC fraud say bank could have stopped the scammers
HSBC is a small player in Australia’s banking sector, but data suggests its customers have been heavily targeted by fraudsters. Those who have lost life savings wish the bank had done more.
- by Aisha Dow
Latest
‘Turn them back at the border’: Call for ban on forced labour goods
Shein and Temu are soaring in popularity among consumers, but experts say the risk of forced labour needs to be investigated and some brands should be banned.
- by Amber Schultz
Joanna just wanted a simple beauty treatment. But the pain was ‘hell on earth’
After being burnt on her genitals during a traumatic beauty procedure, Joanna has joined medical experts to call for tighter regulations on the laser hair-removal sector.
- by Henrietta Cook
Airline, insurer under fire after lost luggage mars veterans’ Anzac Day trip
Transport Minister Catherine King said the lack of fair treatment for passengers in Australia was incredibly disappointing.
- by Amber Schultz
Exclusive
Online shopping
Still waiting for your online order to arrive? You’re not the only one
NSW Fair Trading received more than 6000 complaints about delayed or missing orders last year, as advocates say consumers need more protection.
- by Mary Ward
Shrinkflation at your supermarket? France has an answer for that
The practice of downsizing products without downsizing their prices has enraged shoppers in Australia, Britain, the US and elsewhere. France says it’s a scam.
- by Liz Alderman
Virgin cancelled Elif’s flight, then refused to refund her out-of-pocket expenses
Transport Minister Catherine King say it is clear Australia’s airlines are not delivering what passengers expect, as pressure mounts for greater consumer protections.
- by Andrew Taylor
Real estate agency charged after auction sale smashes price guide
The townhouse in Melbourne’s north-east was initially listed for $900,000 to $950,000, then raised to $1 to $1.1million. It sold for more than $1.5 million.
- by Alex Crowe
Jetstar cancelled Jacqueline’s flight. It offered to fly her home two days later
Flights delays and cancellations are testing the patience of Australian air travellers as calls grow to reform consumer protections in the aviation industry.
- by Andrew Taylor
‘Zero empathy’: Qantas refunds customer forced to pay $1900 for spelling mistake
Chris Bowers made a typo when booking a Qantas flight for his nephew. It was an expensive mistake.
- by Andrew Taylor
Analysis
Analysis
Calls to make ‘no refund’ claims illegal as retailers snub consumer law
Consumer advocates say some businesses will continue to evade their responsibilities to repair, replace or refund faulty goods without reform of consumer law.
- by John Collett