Managing issues with something you’ve paid for

Have you been scammed?

There are lots of resources which offer guidance and support in investigating scams, recovering lost money, and taking legal action against scammers.

• Scam Watch
• Australian Cybersecurity Centre
• ESafety Commissioner

 Get a refund on a faulty product

If you’ve purchased a faulty product, you have the right to a refund, replacement, or repair under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Get information and advice on your consumer rights, all the way up to legal action, from:

• Consumer Affairs Victoria
• Consumer Action Law Centre
• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Resolve energy bill mistakes

If you have received an energy bill with mistakes, you have the right to dispute the charges and seek a resolution.

These organisations can give you information and advice on energy billing regulations so you can enforce your rights:

• Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV)
• Essential Services Commission
• Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEEV)

Make a complaint about an organisation

If you have a complaint about a business or an organisation in Victoria, there is help available on how to make a complaint and seek resolution. Resources are available to assist you in filing a complaint with the appropriate regulatory body and advocating for your rights.

There is also information and advice on consumer protection and dispute resolution options. Understanding your rights and the options you have for making a complaint can help you address issues and seek resolution.

There are a range of organisations available to help you to understand how to make a complaint:

• Victorian Ombudsman
• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
• Consumer Affairs Victoria

Many problems in our lives can have legal answers

Victorian Law Week – May 15-21 – helps Victorians find legal answers to everyday problems, get legal help and learn more about the law.

Victoria Law Foundation Executive Director Lynne Haultain said with more than 200 in-person and online events taking place across Victoria, Victorian Law Week makes learning about the law easy.

“Victorian Law Week is an opportunity to identify where the law can help you navigate problems with goods or services and help you find solutions,” she said.

Events and activities are run by a range of legal, community and government organisations, with the program managed by Victoria Law Foundation.

Whether it’s a workshop on consumer rights and scam prevention, an in-person session to understand scams and how to stay safe online, or an on-demand webinar on energy bill payment issues and consumer rights and responsibilities, there’s bound to be an event that could help you.