Consumer Protection

The federal court orders auction company Grays to bear hefty penalties over 750 contraventions of consumer law, which saw it sell second-hand cars with false or misleading descriptions to consumers between 2020 and 2022.

The communications watchdog found Telstra failed to authenticate customer IDs during 168,000 high-risk interactions such as password resets or SIM card swaps. 

Lily and her real estate agent are among a growing number of Australians who have been targeted by cyber criminals.

Lifestyle Communities share price plunges more than 18 per cent in the wake of an ABC investigation detailing claims the operator of gated communities for the over 50s is gouging residents with unfair fees including charging the dead rent.

There are calls for stronger protection for passengers. But some airlines say it won't improve outcomes for passengers, instead saying it could increase airfares.

Land lease communities, where retirees buy their home but rent the land, are booming, fuelled by a housing affordability crisis and an aging population. But some residents say they feel trapped in a "financial prison" and experts say a lack of legal protections leave some with few options for redress.

The telecommunications company faces an ACMA directive to correct an error which led to more than 140,000 customer records being made public, despite those customers paying for their information to remain unlisted.

Victorian couple Adele and Alex Rae say they were exposed to a "really strong" chemical smell coming from their Samsung fridge, which caused Ms Rae to collapse. They've been offered a refund on the condition they never talk about it again.

As households with gas heaters fire them up for winter, tradies and firefighters fear many do not understand the safety risks they pose if not properly maintained.

Australia's corporate watchdog, ASIC, isn't prosecuting enough white-collar crime and can't perform its full range of duties, so a Senate committee has recommended it split into two new, more streamlined regulators.

Australian cosmetics company MCoBeauty has become a multi-million-dollar business by "duping" popular beauty products. But its success hasn't been without controversy, after pushing the boundaries of the law too far in the past.

The end of the financial year is a great time for shoppers looking to bag a bargain. But scammers also tend to take advantage of the period. Here's what to look out for. 

Financial counsellors and community leaders warn residents in remote communities in Western Australia to remain vigilant of a rise in scams ahead of tax time. 

The NSW government pledges to "stamp out bad behaviour" and strengthen oversight of the state's strata management industry in the wake of an ongoing ABC investigation that has revealed the systemic exploitation of unit owners and a widespread culture of kickbacks and secret commissions.

Consumers might not feel the effects of a mandatory grocery conduct overhaul, a peak consumer policy body says. 

Only one person from the nefarious hacking syndicate responsible for Ticketmaster's data breach has ever been convicted for cyber crime. What are the chances anyone goes to jail over this latest hack?

If you're renting, you'll know that rental increases are a fact of life. But you do have options if you think your landlord (or their agent) is asking for too much.

Basic grocery items are 25 per cent cheaper at Aldi when compared with Coles and Woolworths, a new report from Choice has found.

A higher-than-expected bill is enough to give most people a sinking feeling — especially if you don't think it's fair. Here's a breakdown of your rights and how to dispute a bill.

The ACCC is wary about the proposed merger of Chemist Warehouse and Sigma Healthcare. But other decisions will matter more for service and prices. They concern pharmacy discounting and location rules, and they'll involve taking on existing owners.  

Women in regional Australia are being funnelled into a multi-level marketing scheme promising a "multiple-six-figure business online" — but the "freedom" they seek comes at a cost.

In the Dubai desert lies a scam factory capable of swindling tens of thousands of people at a time. But one scammer has a secret plan that could shut the whole syndicate down. 

If you're among the majority of Australians with Facebook or Instagram accounts, your social activity on those platforms might be training Meta's artificial intelligence (AI) tools — and if you live in Australia, you can't say no.

With standardised contracts, signing a lease doesn't need to be as stressful as the search for a rental property. Experts share the red flags to look out for to ensure you're getting the real deal.

Buy now, pay later providers such as Afterpay and Zip may soon have to hold credit licences and ensure their customers can afford their services under new regulations introduced by the federal government.