Credit Cards

Australians lost over $55 million to scams in the first two months of 2024 alone, according to data from ACCC ScamWatch, with investment scams accounting for the overwhelming majority of the money lost by victims.

Eden Radford -

13 Apr, 2024 -

5 min read

Credit Cards

Fraud on payment cards is returning to pre-pandemic levels, with authorities and police warning Australians to be vigilant against scammers over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Mark Bristow -

22 Dec, 2023 -

3 min read

Credit Cards

Fitness First Australia has had to pay a $12,600 penalty, as a result of allegedly charging excessive surcharges on direct debits from their customers.

Bria Horne -

28 Sep, 2018 -

2 min read

Home Loans

The merger between ANZ and the banking arm of Suncorp is set to proceed, with a previous block from the competition watchdog being overturned. But what does this mean for Australian mortgage holders? 

Mark Bristow -

22 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Home Loans

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has halted a planned merger between ANZ and Suncorp Bank, citing concerns around competition in the home loan market, which is seeing near-record levels of refinancing.

Mark Bristow -

04 Aug, 2023 -

4 min read

Home Loans

The process of switching home loans could be sped up and standardised across the industry, under four recommendations made to the federal government by the ACCC.

Tony Ibrahim -

08 Dec, 2020 -

6 min read

Car Loans

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has chosen a big target as the first company to be litigated under new excessive surcharging rules.

Nick Bendel -

28 Jul, 2018 -

2 min read

Car Loans

Average petrol prices in Australia��_s largest cities are the highest in four years, and the ACCC are encouraging motorists to find the cheapest deals.

Mark Bristow -

21 Aug, 2018 -

3 min read

Car Loans

The draft report illustrates an urgent need to address widespread issues, with the ACCC receiving more than 10,000 complaints over the last two years.

Alex Ritchie -

10 Aug, 2017 -

3 min read

Bank Accounts

The government has instructed its consumer watchdog to ��_bust open the books of petrol companies��_ to stop price gouging at the petrol pump.

Nick Bendel -

24 Dec, 2017 -

2 min read

Bank Accounts

New data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) shows that more people than ever before are complaining about faulty products and services.

Liz Seatter -

02 Jan, 2019 -

2 min read

Bank Accounts

There has been a "significant spike" in "remote access scams", with 2018 losses already surpassing 2017 levels, according to the ACCC.

Nick Bendel -

27 Aug, 2018 -

2 min read

Investment Funds

Criminal cartel charges are expected to be laid against ANZ, even though the bank said it ��_acted in accordance with the law��_. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced today that ��_criminal cartel charges are expected to be laid by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) against ANZ, ANZ group treasurer Rick Moscati, two other companies and a number of other individuals��_.

Nick Bendel -

01 Jun, 2018 -

2 min read

Investment Funds

Criminal cartel charges have been laid against ANZ, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank following an investigation by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). The charges come after alleged cartel arrangement relating to ANZ shares that were traded by Citigroup and Deutsche Bank following an ANZ institutional share placement in August 2015.

Nick Bendel -

06 Jun, 2018 -

2 min read

Investment Funds

Australians lost more money to scammers in 2017 than in any other year on record, with investors being hit the hardest of all.

Mark Bristow -

21 May, 2018 -

2 min read

Savings Accounts

Sub-standard savings accounts that have not kept up with the rising cash rate are likely to come under scrutiny over the next month as the ACCC calls for submissions into its retail deposits inquiry. 

Alex Ritchie -

21 Apr, 2023 -

7 min read

Savings Accounts

CBA's new introductory NetBank Saver rate is 4 per cent but once the honeymoon period expires, this reduces to 1.6 per cent. Some customers may be taken in by the precursory offer, unaware of the eventuality.

Peter Terlato -

20 Jan, 2023 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

RateCity welcomes any ACCC investigation into savings account interest rates, however, customers need not wait for the outcome of an inquiry to get a competitive deal.

Alex Ritchie -

13 Jan, 2023 -

6 min read

Nbn

A record number of telecommunications companies are now connected to Australia’s NBN, according to a new report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), making it even more important to compare your options before renewing your home’s broadband internet contract.

Mark Bristow -

22 Aug, 2022 -

2 min read

Home Insurance

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC’s) report into insurance in northern Australia has revealed that unaffordable home and contents insurance is affecting the prosperity of communities across the region, though there are actions that could help address this.

Mark Bristow -

07 Jan, 2021 -

3 min read

Home Insurance

Australians are resilient but the inflating cost of insurance premiums, as a result of extreme weather, will test our resolve over the course of the next few decades. Consider other economic factors, such as rising interest rates plus inflation, and the forecast is quite bleak. Discover what you can do to combat the doom and gloom.

Peter Terlato -

21 Nov, 2023 -

4 min read

Cryptocurrency

Intense volatility, reluctant real-world adoption and more has pushed consumer advocates to petition the newly-elected federal government to assess and identify ways to regulate cryptocurrency markets.

Peter Terlato -

21 Jul, 2022 -

4 min read

Cryptocurrency

Stakeholder consultations are underway to help establish a regulatory framework for the ever-developing crypto industry. A public consultation paper will be released soon.

Peter Terlato -

23 Aug, 2022 -

3 min read

Cryptocurrency

Altcoins aim to offer investors a unique store of value or establish some sort of online or real-world application. There is a strong appetite for alternative technology projects but with any cryptocurrency investment there is an inherent risk of failure and collapse. You can mitigate your risks by doing your research and learning more about this growing industry.

Peter Terlato -

21 Sep, 2022 -

6 min read

Credit Score

With increased awareness of the threat of cyberattacks, it’s easy to feel concerned about the safety of your personal information. Criminals with access to your details could steal your identity, fraudulently run up debts in your name, and ruin your credit score, making accessing money and credit in the future much harder.

Mark Bristow -

21 Oct, 2023 -

5 min read

Credit Score

Almost a third of Australians have been hit by a financial scam, RateCity.com.au research shows.

Laine Gordon -

22 Dec, 2022 -

5 min read

Term Deposits

The ninth consecutive increase to Australia’s national cash rate was revealed last week, making this the fastest hiking cycle in decades. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has indicated that more rate hikes may be necessary in 2023 to help bring down Australia’s high inflation. This may mean more pain for mortgage holders, savers could potentially benefit from rising rates.

Mark Bristow -

13 Feb, 2023 -

3 min read

Credit Score

If you’re applying for credit products you may be wondering how much your credit score comes into play. But did you know your credit score may impact the amount of money you’re approved for?

Alex Ritchie -

19 Jan, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Score

Between recent data breaches at major retailers including Optus and Medibank, and the influx of scam text messages and emails, you may be looking to increase your knowledge on how to tell if something is a scam or not.

Alex Ritchie -

25 Oct, 2023 -

8 min read

Credit Score

When you miss repayments, a creditor may outsource the chasing of this debt to a debt collector. A debt collector cannot directly change your credit score, but having poor payment behaviour typically can affect it.

Alex Ritchie -

23 Jun, 2023 -

5 min read

Credit Cards

Falling for a scam could see your savings account drained or your credit cards maxed out. Be aware of common scams and protect yourself, too.

Credit Cards

A war for your hard-earned money is raging in the credit card industry, as retailers and credit card companies argue over the surcharges imposed on your everyday credit card transactions, according to new research.

Laine Gordon -

24 Nov, 2011 -

2 min read

Credit Cards

The holiday season is a time to spend with family and friends ��_ not fraudsters. Make sure you don't become the victim of a seasonal scam.

Laine Gordon -

08 Dec, 2014 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

A home insurance policy covers you if the building that you live in is damaged or destroyed by an insured event, such as a fire, a storm, or a break-in. Similarly, a contents insurance policy covers you if the belongings you keep in your home are lost, damaged or destroyed in an insured event.

Mark Bristow -

26 Oct, 2023 -

6 min read

Home Insurance

When you live in Australia, considering how a natural disaster may impact your home is an unavoidable reality. This is where home insurance can be a lifeline for disaster-affected households.

Alex Ritchie -

24 Oct, 2023 -

6 min read

Superannuation

Just as with any aspect of finance, Australian superannuation also has its scams. At worst, they could wipe out your hard-earned retirement savings.

Laine Gordon -

12 Nov, 2014 -

3 min read

Superannuation

Let’s explore what exactly greenwashing is, how it can occur with your financial products, and how you can protect yourself from aligning with companies that do not practice what they preach. 

Alex Ritchie -

24 Mar, 2023 -

7 min read

Savings Accounts

RateCity spoke to EC Credit Control debt collector, Chris Loveridge, about his experience chasing consumer and commercial debt, and what he wishes more people knew about his industry.

Alex Ritchie -

18 Sep, 2017 -

5 min read

Savings Accounts

Rising OECD figures is putting pressure on Australian households. Learn the smart way to dodge hefty grocery bills and damage to your savings accounts.

Laine Gordon -

25 Nov, 2009 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

Becoming smart about money and planning for the future should be a priority - here's how.

Laine Gordon -

06 Jun, 2013 -

3 min read

Home Loans

As part of the federal government��_s overhaul of the banking sector, Treasurer Wayne Swan recently announced a ban on mortgage exit fees as of July 1, 2011. Australia has the most expensive exit fees in the world, averaging around $1500 and sometimes up to $7000, compared to $400 in the UK and around $550 in the US.

Laine Gordon -

04 Apr, 2011 -

2 min read

Home Loans

Whether you’re in the market for a new vehicle, need to pay for your wedding or are planning on purchasing property, it’s important to note that your job plays a significant role in your chances of being approved for a loan. 

Alex Ritchie -

28 Jul, 2021 -

4 min read

Home Loans

The term “mortgage loyalty tax” refers to the difference in interest rate costs that existing borrowers pay as a result of lenders offering new customers lower rates on home loans. Here's how to avoid it.

Peter Terlato -

27 Mar, 2023 -

5 min read

Cryptocurrency

Most cryptocurrencies are unstable assets, prone to significant market movements and vulnerable to abrupt abolition. While there are some proven stayers, much of the industry is relatively fickle and exchanges have encountered extreme levels of volatility since inception.

Peter Terlato -

10 Nov, 2022 -

7 min read