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Victorians Turning To Consumer Affairs for Advice

Consumer Affairs Victoria continues to be a trusted source of information and advice for Victorian consumers and businesses during 2010-11.

"Over the last financial year, people have contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria for advice on anything from disputes between tenants and landlords to advice on how to register as a fundraiser," Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O'Brien said.

In the last financial year, more than 518,200 Victorians called the Consumer Affairs Victoria enquiries line for advice and information.

Over the 2010-11 financial year, Consumer Affairs Victoria has also:

• developed a smart phone application, MyShopRights – an innovative resource anyone can use to learn more about their rights under consumer law – which has been downloaded more than 10,000 times
• launched an online scams quiz to test consumers' knowledge of what is and is not considered a scam
• increased services for small businesses as consumers through a dedicated phone line and email service, and a dispute resolution service which has been expanded to serve small businesses
• prevented thousands of unsafe toys from reaching children, seizing almost 45,000 unsafe products during a statewide pre-Christmas blitz
• mobilised extra services during times of need, including completing two flood recovery tours of the Grampians region in February
• continued with outreach education services, visiting 33 locations across Victoria on a regular basis including mobile services to communities requiring extra support.