Consumer Protection
What is consumer
protection?
Consumer protection is the practice of
safeguarding (protecting) buyers of
goods and services (consumers) against
unfair practices in the marketplace.
Consumers can be protected by laws and
regulations, consumer protection
agencies and self-help services. These
include:
● Australian Consumer Law (ACL)
(2011)
● NSW Fair Trading
● Australian Competition and
What is consumer
protection?
Under the ACL, if a product or service you buy fails to meet a
consumer guarantee, you have the right to ask for a repair,
replacement or refund.
All consumer protection agencies protect this consumer right.
Consumers also need to protect themselves from scams. The ACCC
provides information to consumers about types of scams through
‘Scamwatch’ and provides an avenue for reporting scams and
seeking help.
QUIZ:
Scam or not a scam?
Types of Scams
1 2 3 4
Attempts to Fake
gain your Buying or Dating or
personal selling romance charities
information
Scammers use all Scammers take
kinds of sneaky Scammers prey on
advantage of people Scammers
approaches to steal looking for romantic impersonate genuine
consumers and partners, often via
your personal details. businesses that are charities and ask for
Once obtained, they dating websites, apps or donations or contact
buying or selling social media by
can use your identity products and services. you claiming to
pretending to be
to commit fraudulent Not every transaction collect money after
prospective companions.
activities such as using is legitimate. They play on emotional natural disasters or
your credit card or triggers to get you to major events.
opening a bank provide money, gifts or
account. personal details.
Types of Scams
5 6 7 8
Jobs and Threats Unexpected
Investment employme and money or
s nt extortion winnings
Scammers invent
If you are looking for a convincing and
fast way to make Jobs and employment
scams trick you into Scammers will use any seemingly legitimate
money, watch out – means possible to reasons to give you
scammers have handing over your
steal your identity or false hope about offers
invented all sorts of money by offering you of money, including
a ‘guaranteed’ way to your money –
fake money-making including threatening lottery or prize
opportunities to prey make fast money or a winnings. There are no
high-paying job for your life or 'hijacking'
on your enthusiasm get-rich-quick schemes,
little effort. your computer. so always think twice
and get hold of your
cash. before handing over
your details or dollars.
How to protect yourself from
scammers
How to protect yourself from
Scammers
[Link]
h?v=oAJnAlSZ6WY
[Link] cautious - never send
money or give credit card or
online account information to
anyone you don’t know and
trust
[Link] seek independent
Advice against door-to-door
service scams
[Link]’t be pressured into signing or paying
upfront for a proposed service
[Link] research a company or service
provider before paying or agreeing to a
contract
[Link] read any contract or service
paperwork carefully before paying to any
work
Protect your personal
information
1. Never give your bank account
information to any person you don’t
know or trust
2. When in doubt, always contact your
financial institution or service provider
3. Do not be fooled by any email that
looks legitimate or appears to link to a
genuine website
4. Do not open suspicious emails - ignore
or block them
5. Beware of unexpected sales calls.
Transition to Lesson 11 from
here
