Allan Fels may soon retire as chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, but that has not stopped him from launching an initiative to stem the exploitation of vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers.
Professor Fels says consumers who lack money or education are less able to fight for their rights and are often more badly hurt by rip-offs.
"Some can suffer extreme hardship as a result of unfair behaviour by businesses, which more empowered consumers do not encounter," he says.
There is little research on the issue, but a 1999 report produced for the Treasury by Consumer Redress Study found that the consumer most likely to access a redress mechanism is a male between the ages of 35 and 45 living in a metropolitan area who speaks English as first language and has at least completed high school.
"Businesses seeking to exploit vulnerability and rip off powerless people should know - those apparently powerless people have powerful allies," Professor Fels says.
For more information, phone the ACCC consumer hotline on 1300 302 502
