Consumer Action Law Centre

09/10/2026

Insurance industry on notice after insurance giant Hollard fined $2 million after claim delays leave house uninhabitable - Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News.

Financial Counselling Australia CHOICE

The Federal Court blasts Hollard's handling of an insurance claim which left a regional Victorian destroyed and uninhabitable.

08/10/2026

DODGY CRYPTO ATM's: In August 2026, AUSTRAC suspended one operator’s registration, taking 96 crypto ATMs offline nationally.

The Consumer Action Law Centre has called for a complete ban. Policy officer Pavithra Jayasekera has said the consumer harm ‘far outweighs any legitimate consumer benefit’.

Just BAN THEM Tony Burke MP Daniel Mulino Andrew Leigh MP

Scam Victim Alliance CHOICE Financial Counselling Australia

Cryptocurrency ATM scams are costing Australians dearly as victims are persuaded to deposit their savings into the machines. Credit: Traxer/Unsplash

08/10/2026

Offset accounts? Do you have one, and are you getting all your bank has promised?

Following an ASIC investigation earlier this year, a Senate inquiry will look into how banks are managing offset accounts, and what happens when things go wrong. So what can you do to protect your money?

Consumer Action CEO Stephanie Tonkin joins Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s Life Matters host Tegan Taylor and other guests, and says that ASIC holding the banks to account is good for transparency. "I hope banks do better..." she says.
Financial Counselling Australia CHOICE

More than half of Australian households with a mortgage have an offset account attached. It's meant to make your extra savings work for you by reducing the interest you pay on your home loan. But not everyone appears to be reaping the benefits. Following an ASIC investigation earlier this year, a Se...

07/10/2026

SCAMDAL: Tas Police reports that $1.5m was stolen through the state's 28 crypto ATM's in one three-month period alone earlier this year. Why haven't crypto ATM's been banned yet Tony Burke MP AUSTRAC?

The Tasmanian figures aren't a surprise to advocates at the Consumer Action Law Centre.
The group has long-argued crypto ATMs have no legitimate use in Australia and says they should be banned.
"The consumer harm associated with these machines far outweighs any legitimate consumer benefit," says policy officer Pavithra Jayasekera.
"They have become a clear vector for scams and are enabling criminals to steal life-changing amounts of money from Australians".
Financial Counselling Australia CHOICE Scam Victim Alliance

Tasmania has fewer than 30 cryptocurrency ATMs, yet residents lost over a million dollars in just three months this year after being convinced to deposit their savings into the controversial machines.

06/10/2026

SCAM-CRIME: Victorian couple Ray and Nola Holden were robbed of their life savings when a crook gained access to their computer. Almost $100,000 was stolen from their bank account over a whopping 104 transactions – despite Bendigo Bank being alerted to the fraud halfway through the crime.
In their 80's. Ray and Nola are afraid they are going to loose their home. Consumer Action Assistant Director, Meg Dalling talked about the case on ABC Central Victoria with host Nic Healey.
Financial Counselling Australia CHOICE Scam Victim Alliance

Listen to Meg Dalling, Consumer Action, calls on Bendigo Bank CEO to show compassion to couple who had their life savings stolen in a scam by ConsumerAction on

05/10/2026

Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin said customers the organisation have spoken to have been through a terrible time.
“We hope PSS can provide a practical solution for them,” she said.

02/10/2026

We’re HIRING Board Directors -Voluntary positions X 3

We are seeking new Board Directors to help guide Consumer Action's next phase of impact, sustainability and organisational development. As part of planned Board renewal and succession planning, we are reviewing the capabilities required to support our strategic priorities over the next three to five years.

Directors provide strategic oversight, constructive challenge and stewardship across strategy, finance, risk, impact and organisational performance. Appointment is as a Director under Consumer Action's Constitution, and successful candidates must become members of Consumer Action before appointment.

Closing date: 05:00 PM, Wednesday, 14 October 2026

01/10/2026

READ IT! The July-September of our Enewsletter is OUT NOW!!
All the latest updates on our campaigns, submissions and activities PLUS pictures from our 20th Anniversary PARTY!
Financial Counselling Australia

A report from ASIC Beyond the Payout has underscored what we in the consumer sector have known  about cash payouts for very long time. 

01/10/2026

Consumer advocates have broadly welcomed the Australian Financial Complaints Authority's (AFCA) proposed rules and operational guidelines for the Scam Prevention Framework (SPF) but caution the need for greater ambition if victim’s needs are to be made paramount.

AFCA has been designated by the government as the external dispute resolution scheme to manage scam complaints, where they have not been resolved between a consumer and the relevant businesses. The role will commences in March 2027 when the SPF takes effect.

Ten consumer organisations have made a joint submission on AFCA’s proposed approach, identifying opportunities to strengthen the framework and improve outcomes for scam victims.

“The SPF is a ground-breaking opportunity to deliver fast, fair and straightforward redress for people who have lost life-changing sums to scams and suffered significant harm as a result,” said Pavithra Jayasekera, Policy Officer, Consumer Action Law Centre.

CHOICE Financial Counselling Australia

Consumer advocates have broadly welcomed the Australian Financial Complaints Authority’s (AFCA) proposed rules and operational guidelines for the Scam Prevention Framework (SPF) but caution the need for greater ambition if victim’s needs are to be made paramount. AFCA has been designated by the ...