Federal Court action launched against Cabcharge by ACCC

Cabcharge - Australia's non-cash payment monopoly for taxis and hire cars - is facing long overdue action by the ACCC in the Federal Court.
The ACCC has launched the action alleging 10 breaches of the Trade Practices Act.

Cabcharge faces penalties of $10 million per contravention plus a pecuniary penalty of 10% of its annual turnover for each contravention.

Cabcharge's revenue for the last financial year was $173 million.

That's a total potential penalty of $273 million.

A spokeswoman for Cabcharge Tracey Cain said: "Cabcharge always behaves appropriately".

Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully says: "We'll see".

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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WARNING: eBay ripoff by 14 year old girl exposed in Ipswich District Court

A sophisticated $44,000 eBay scam by a 14 year old teenager from Crescent Head in New South Wales had its sequel in the Ipswich District Court when the girl, now 16, was found guilty and placed on probation for two years.

The Brisbane Courier-Mail gives a full account of the case at http://tinyurl.com/ebayripoff

eBay spokesman on the case Daniel Feiler provides no real satisfaction for consumers that there interests will be protected by the online superstore.

What is really disturbing is the claim by one victim that eBay unlawfully gave the fraudster the mobile number of the victim who then received up to 21 calls a day from the fraudster.

Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully said it's time for eBay to ramp up its initial identification and consumer protection policies.

"eBay is a giant money-making machine for some unscrupulous operators and eBay should be doing everything it can to eliminate this online fraud."


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Domino's, Eagle Boys and Nando's fail our children

Domino's, Eagle Boys Pizza and chicken chain Nando's have failed to sign up to the new voluntary code of advertising which bans junk food ads aimed at children.

Voluntary codes are never as strong as enforceable laws but is a major step in the right direction for McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's, Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat signing up for the new deal.

Domino's, Eagle Boys and Nando's have failed the next generation of Australians.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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7-Eleven Store at Redbank Plains fined for consumer ripoff

The Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor has commented on the $4000 fine in the Ipswich Magistrates Court against the 7-Eleven Store at Redbank Plains.

This is another pro-active move by the State Government to help Queensland consumers.

This is the text of the Minister's Media Release:

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

The Honourable Peter Lawlor

24/06/2009

7-Eleven store fined for false price scans

The operator of a 7-Eleven convenience store at Redbank Plains has been fined $4000 in the Ipswich Magistrates Court for overcharging on products.

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said the store, managed by Shree Salasar Balaji Pty Ltd, was charging more for products than their listed shelf price.

"Fair Trading officers conducted a random spot-check on the store in 2008 and discovered a number of products being overcharged," Mr Lawlor said.

"A follow-up visit later last year revealed that despite the original problems being rectified, further products were being overcharged relative to their shelf price.

"The substantial punishment underlines to retailers the importance of ensuring their scanning systems are accurate.

"Consumers need to feel comfortable when making purchasing decisions that they are being treated fairly."

Mr Lawlor encouraged consumers to watch carefully when their items were scanned at the checkout and question any prices that appeared to be incorrect.

"Keep your eyes on the scanner, check your dockets and if you think there's a problem, talk to the attendant or manager," he said.

"If the store operates under the voluntary Code of Practice for Computerised Systems in Supermarkets, you may even be entitled to receive an incorrectly scanned product for free."

Mr Lawlor said the prosecution comes as the Office of Fair Trading hosted a recent forum on price scanning with 25 retail industry representatives.

"The forum provided an opportunity to discuss price scanning issues and identify solutions to any problems retailers are experiencing," he said.

"Fair Trading is committed to working with retailers on these issues however it will pursue enforcement action when consumers are misled.

"Maximum penalties for breaching the Queensland Fair Trading Act 1989 range from $54,000 for an individual to $270,000 for corporations.

Mr Lawlor urged consumers who were unable to resolve a problem with a store to contact the Office of Fair Trading on 13 13 04 or visit its website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au for more information.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Ian Craig - doyen of Australian horse racing - calls his last race

Ian Craig - race caller and entertainer for over 40 years - signed off for the last time today at Gosford.

Congratulations. Well done Ian.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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The Australian Rusty Ute Affair - a load of unmitigated claptrap!

The Rusty Ute Affair would have to be the biggest beat up by an Opposition since Federation.

John Grant - founder of the so-called 51 Club because he was born in 1951 - has been embroiled in one of the nastiest charades and personal attacks ever launched in Federal Parliament.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale sums up the 51 Club as just a loose group of bipartisan mates born in 1951 - or thereabouts who share a common birth year.

Yet, Malcolm Turnbull suggests they are a group of shady, untrustworthy, political operatives.

John Grant is a thoroughly decent and honourable corporate citizen of Ipswich.

His word is his bond and his trademark is his unwavering honesty and his ethical behaviour.

Malcolm Turnbull - egged on by Liberal pugilist clowns from Sydney's North Shore - has descended into the bottom of a cesspit to scrape up dirt on John Grant as part of his unproven attack on the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan.
Politics at its worst is the only way to describe this dark side of the Federal Opposition.

Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan and John Grant will triumph out of this debacle and Malcolm Turnbull will be left lamenting with no chance of ever recovering politically.

Malcolm should have stuck with the Australian Republican Movement where his quaint combination of individual capitalism and socialist principles left true republicans perpetually gobsmacked!


P.S. Cr Paul Tully turns 58 tomorrow. Will he get a free Rusty Ute as a birthday present for his honorary membership of the 51 Club in Ipswich?


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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CONSUMER WARNING: Another Hong Kong email scam threatens Aussie internet users

Another internet email scam has hit Australia with the promise of untold riches.

Please warn everyone you know of this scam, especially people who are new to the internet and unfamiliar with email scams who may be tempted by this fraudulent offer of $AU18.6 million.

It really is time for the Australian Government to use its legislative powers to force ISPs to block this sort of online fraud which ends up stripping the bank accounts of unsuspecting internet users.

If the Government can stop illegal internet pornography, it can stop this sort of fraudulent activity which financially destroys untold numbers of individual Australians and their families.

This is a copy of the latest phoney email scam:

From: chaowei barryk.cj@bellnet.ca

Subject: HELLO

I am MR CHAOWEI,bank of china {hongkong},I have a business proposal of (us$18,600.000.00) for you in my bank.

for more information email
chao.wei1@btinternet.com


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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BLOODY HOPELESS

Iran is arguing over an election, America is arguing with North Korea over nuclear weapons while Australia argues over a rusty old ute.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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CONSUMER WATCH: New email scam warning.

A new internet email scam has hit Australia overnight with a bogus cash prize of more than £1.86 million.

It's time for the Australian Government to use its legislative powers to force ISPs to block this sort of online fraud which ends up stripping the bank accounts of unsuspecting internet users.

If the Government can stop illegal internet pornography, it can stop this sort of fraudulent activity which financially destroys untold numbers of individual Australians and their families.

This is a copy of the latest phoney email scam:

From: Su.Fahy@wlv.ac.uk

Subject: Cash on file: £1,856,652

Dear Email owner,

Your email address on SERIAL No:472-9768-79 has won a total cash prize of £1,856,652 Great British Pounds in our New Email random selection.

Please contact the claims officer for more information,

Also provide listed information,
Names___________
Address___________
Age___________
Occupation________
Phone no____________
Country__________

Claims Officer: Mr. Michael Brown

Email:uknl_claimsunit@administrativos

comphone: +44 703 190 5559

Mr fahy Su

THE PROMOTION COORDINATOR


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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