Scare tactics: What to do about ghost stores
As an increasing number of Australians are ripped off by ghost stores, those caught in the trap may be wondering if there is anything they can do.
Online haunts: Watch out for ghost stores
Snapped up a bargain online from a local store only to find there is nothing local about it? Or that it doesn’t even exist? You are one of a growing number of Australians haunted by ghost stores.
Protect yourself from scams on Booking.com
As the most visited travel site in the world, it’s not surprising that scams on Booking.com are also on the rise.
While the site itself is genuine and used without issue by millions of people worldwide – there were more than 640 million visits in August alone – scammers find many ways to work around the system.
Facebook Marketplace robbery alert
No one expects to fall victim to a Facebook Marketplace robbery when they choose the popular online platform to sell items.
Raising the alarm: Report scams on Facebook
Although online marketplaces are increasingly aware of the risks of fraud and scams, the level of protection varies from platform to platform. But you should always report scams on Facebook or any other online marketplace.
Travel trap: Beware of Booking.com scammers
Booking travel and accommodation has never been easier thanks to the internet but, as those who have fallen victim to Booking.com scams have found, the modern convenience is not without its traps.
Staying power: What are your rights if an Airbnb host cancels?
You’re one of the lucky ones who secured tickets to a Taylor Swift concert. You’ve even been organised enough to book a reasonably priced Airbnb for the occasion. The excitement level is rising. Then you get a message: the Airbnb host is cancelling your reservation.
You will have to find somewhere else to stay closer to the event when almost everything is booked out or is really expensive. Worse still, you later discover the host has relisted your accommodation for a higher price for the same time.
Hyundai drivers demand action over peeling paint
Angry Hyundai drivers whose cars are worth little more than scrap due to a common paint peeling issue have ramped up their push for compensation.
About a dozen owners and their supporters drove their shabby looking cars to Channel 7 in Perth for a public protest just before Christmas.
Dangerous ground: Alarm over access to children’s flight bookings
When Louise* logged in to the Qantas app to check her return flight from a family holiday she was shocked to find the booking was no longer there.
But she was filled with horror when she found out the reason. Her former husband, who has a police-initiated domestic violence order (DVO) in place against him for harassment and stalking, had cancelled them.
Facebook Marketplace: Beware of online scams
As the number of Australians searching for a great deal online has risen, so has the number of Facebook Marketplace scams.
Wherever there are bargain hunters, there are scammers. There have even been alarming instances of criminals using marketplaces to break into your home.