The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has added its voice to the issue of misleading advertising over mobile phone and Internet bills.
ACCAN has referred six other examples of misleading or unfair advertising to the ACCC. Its complaint includes advertising from the three major telcos - Optus, Telstra and Vodafone/Hutchison - on the use of terms such as ‘free' and ‘unlimited'.
The group says that misleading and unfair advertising is rife in the industry and labels most of the marketing as "wall-to-wall deception" that is so confusing most consumers can't compare different plans because they can't make sense of them. ACCAN CEO Allan Asher told PC Authority "If a plan or offer is not unlimited, then the word shouldn't be used at all. It's time for plain English advertising to make a comeback."
Asher believes that consumers need better safeguards. "It's extremely difficult at the moment for consumers to get the right information on plans. The best hope they have is to do their research, read the fine print and make sure they understand what is included in their plans and what is not."
ACCAN wants better industry standards and Asher said that consumers should be offered full compensation for loss or damage as a consequence of unlawful behaviour and the option of a penalty free release from a contract entered into as a consequence of deception.
Many readers have written to us complaining about internet and phone advertising that promise bonuses, credits and special deals, but have many conditions attached.
As we have reported, a number of Optus advertisements promoting ‘unlimited' plans have come to the attention of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which has instituted legal proceedings against the company. The regulator alleges that certain ads for broadband and home phone plans contain limitations and restrictions, but are misleading because they are advertised as ‘unlimited'.
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