Remember the craze for “Unique Water” – an Australian bottled water consumed in vast quantities by fans with religious devotion, proclaiming that it had miraculous healing powers? Its discoverer has disappeared without trace just as clinical trials were due to begin … http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/01/23/1106415456742.html
Many Juice Bars trick people into buying worthless herbal supplements that may in fact harm you. They claim that products such as echinacaea, guarana and citrin are slimming, will aid memory or will boost the immune system despite little or no evidence. This report from the Australian Consumers Association. http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=104543&p=1
“The national regulatory body, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, said there was a ban on health claims for products, and juice bars that did so were promoting their products illegally.”
Scammer Scammed: A Melbourne financial manager swindled his own clients out of more than $1 million, but then blew it when he was suckered into a notorious Nigerian letter scam. He now faces jail and an industry life ban after admitting that his greed was criminal.
ACCC Consumer Express: November
This month’s topics include: Text me baby yeah! – mobile phone issues … Unconscionable conduct guide … Our Internet special … Internet auctions-protect yourself … Spam shopping … International spam action plan … Do you speak a language other than English? ACCC interpreter service … Product labelling … Fuel facts-our special update on petrol and diesel http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/474307/fromItemId/3737 or email express@accc.gov.au to subscribe.
ASIC has announced the 2005 “Pie In The Sky” Awards featuring the year’s worst scams used to rip-off Australians. Nigerian scams, “interest free” car and home loans, a Dominica-based “early superannuation access” and other illegal investment schemes. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/01/20/1106110876173.html http://www.asic.gov.au/asic/ASIC_PUB.NSF/byid/9034CAD25488F604CA256F8E007F1FAA