Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)

This year, we achieved big wins to make communications services fairer, safer, and more accessible for all Australians: ✅ Secured stronger protections for domestic and family violence survivors in the telco sector. ✅ Advocated for a mandatory SMS Sender ID Register to combat scams. ✅ Won funding to fight for fair NBN pricing and service standards. These changes are helping to create a better-connected Australia. Stay tuned as we continue the fight for your communications rights in 2025! 📱💻 #ACCAN #Advocacy #ConsumerRights #Telco #Scams #NBN

Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season from all of us at ACCAN! 🎄 We're taking a little break and will be back in the office on 6th January. #MerryChristmas #HappyHolidays #ACCAN

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland MP has issued a new Statement of Expectations for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) - the key regulator for our sector. We are glad to see that this Statement has consumers at the centre. Key takeaways for the regulator: ✅ Consumer harm is to be minimised ✅ Consumer outcomes are to be promoted ✅ Consumer safeguards should be fit for purpose, with a focus on vulnerable consumers and First Nations communities ✅ We should be early adopters of promising new technologies, while providing safeguards for consumers and small business Consumers welcome this strong and supportive statement from the government. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gqQJ7khZ #consumerrights #communications

The long-awaited Regional Telecommunications Review is out now - and it has damning recommendations about the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code which this week was updated and released for public consultation. The TCP Code is widely acknowledged as being light touch, voluntary and failing to protect consumers from some of the most egregious misconduct. We echo the Review's recommendations to: ✅ Strengthen legal protections for communications consumers ✅ Modernise the Universal Service Obligation (USO) to meet consumer needs Read more: https://lnkd.in/er4wWpUA #ConsumerRights #politics #communications #RTIRC

Australians lost $58.3 million to social media scams this year according to ACCC. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using fake profiles and convincing stories to deceive people into sharing personal information or sending money. Protect yourself: ✅ Be cautious of unsolicited messages. ✅ Verify the identity of the profile. ✅ Never share personal information or payment details with strangers online. Share this post to help spread awareness and protect your loved ones! For more information on how to protect yourself against scams, visit https://buff.ly/2Fq6W2h National Anti-Scam Centre #ACCAN #scams #socialmedia

Be wary of fraudulent online stores this sales season! With the rise of online shopping, so too has the number of fake websites increased. These fraudulent sites mimic legitimate retailers, offering incredible deals to attract shoppers. Protect yourself: ✅Verify the website URL. ✅Check for customer reviews and ratings on another site. ✅Use secure payment methods. ✅Be cautious of overly enticing deals. Share this post to warn others about the dangers of fake online stores. For more information on how to protect yourself against scams, visit https://buff.ly/2Fq6W2h National Anti-Scam Centre #ACCAN #onlineshopping #scams #cybersafety

ACCAN handed a significant submission to the Treasury ahead of the 2025 Budget this week, recommending several critical funding priorities to assist families with the cost of living, close the digital divide, improve consumer wellbeing and boost competition in the telco market. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett wrote an opinion piece in The Canberra Times about our key recommendations today, which you can also read on our website. To better serve consumers, the government should introduce: ✅A concessional internet service ✅An Independent Plan Comparison Tool ✅A National Device Bank ✅A Digital Platforms Ombudsman ACCAN will continue to advocate on affordability issues in the coming months in the lead up to the Budget and Federal Election. Read in full: https://lnkd.in/gTQXr3KR #communications #budget #politics

Australia Post delivered almost 100 million parcels in November and December last year. This busy holiday period, be extra vigilant against parcel delivery scams! Scammers may impersonate delivery companies with fake emails, texts, or calls claiming delivery issues, requesting personal information or payment. Protect yourself: ✅ Always verify sender information. ✅ Never click on suspicious links or attachments. ✅ If in doubt, contact the company directly using the details you find on their website. Share this post with family and friends to help them stay safe this holiday season! For more information on how to protect yourself against scams, visit https://buff.ly/2Fq6W2h National Anti-Scam Centre #ACCAN #onlinesafety #scams #auspost

Our CEO Carol Bennett joined Nat and Shervo on Sunrise (Seven Network) this morning to talk about gift card scams in the lead-up to Christmas. Watch out for impersonation scams in particular - where a scammer contacts you pretending to be your boss, often using a similar or deceiving email address, asking you to buy gift cards for staff and send through redemption codes. Remember to: Stop - If someone asks you to urgently buy a gift card and hand over the card information, including the serial number – it’s probably a scam Check - Always check who you're dealing with and ask yourself, ‘Could the message or call be fake? Take steps to verify who they are. Protect - Act quickly to protect yourself and other if something feels wrong. Call the police or speak to someone you trust now. Help others by reporting the scam to Scamwatch.gov.au. #scams #consumerprotection #Christmas

Our CEO Carol Bennett joined hundreds of attendees at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra to hear the remarkable Jelena Dokic today. Jelena shared her inspiring story of resilience in the face of public pressure and family violence - a powerful reminder that we must continue to raise awareness and advocate for change as the United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence comes to a close.   Yesterday, the Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland MP commenced the formal process to establish a mandatory industry standard to safeguard communications consumers affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. This marks a significant milestone for our sector, but it is just one step toward addressing a deeply entrenched issue in Australian society.   We commend your courage and advocacy, Jelena! #nationalpressclub #communications #courage