Press Releases 2021
Agents facilitating cash withdrawal for the Government COVID- CASH assistance are being warned to refrain from double-dipping at the expense of Fijians by demanding an additional fee. This is being stressed by the Consumer Council of Fiji (CCoF) after receiving complaints that certain mobile money agents are charging up to $5.00 additional over-the-counter withdrawal fee.
The COVID-19 health safety protocols which high risk businesses are mandated to follow in order to operate should not be used as a tactic to impose additional costs to consumers. The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCoF) is highlighting this after receiving complaints and tip-offs from consumers that certain barbershops are charging customers for making appointments – a mandatory requirement which barbershops have to adhere to in order to operate.
The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCoF) stands ready to assist consumers who are grappling with financial challenges, particularly those having debts by facilitating discussions for debt restructure with their respective financial institutions and hire purchase companies.
Consumers are being warned not to participate in lotteries and surveys from unsolicited and unofficial individuals and phoney companies when using social media and other online platforms.
In an effort to help create more financially secure and resilient communities across the country, the Consumer Council of Fiji will be spearheading a project on “Inclusive Innovations for Climate Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance” in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development (UNCDF) Fund’s Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme.
The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCoF) has been recently receiving a lot of complaints against unscrupulous traders trying to profiteer at the expense of Fijians who are already facing financial hardships.
With the current COVID-19 outbreak upending the consumer landscape – pushing them further towards online shopping, local online businesses have been found displaying shoddy practices – causing inconvenience and additional financial burden to consumers. The Consumer Council of Fiji has received complaints against local online businesses who are failing to supply ordered goods despite receiving full payments.
A complaint-driven trader visit by the Consumer Council of Fiji yesterday (29/04/2021) has revealed that consumers were being charged $11.80 for a pack for 4Kg sugar and $5.90 for a 2Kg pack by a Navua based trader – a violation of the Price Control Order which clearly demarcates the price of different brands of sugar. The trader in question was also found not issuing receipts to consumers – another violation of relevant consumer protection laws.
Certain businesses are using the current wave of COVID 19 cases in Fiji to profiteer by senselessly and arbitrarily increasing the prices of life saving Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
Smartphone users need to be aware of Viber calls and messages, allegedly from Vodafone Fiji, claiming that the user has won a lottery. This comes after the Council received a complaint from a concerned consumer informing that they have been receiving calls and messages on Viber claiming to have won $50,000 cash from Vodafone Fiji.
Consumers must comply with COVID 19 safety protocols when out and about shopping by downloading and activating the CareFiji app, wearing facemasks and practicing other safety measures which has been mandated by relevant authorities and being implemented by traders and service providers
Certain terms and conditions of extended insurance on hire purchase by businesses has been labelled as unfair, prejudicial and a breach of consumer rights by the Consumer Council of Fiji.
“Certain businesses are completing disregarding consumer protection laws which has been implemented in order to protect and ensure that Fijians are able to provide for their families, especially during challenging times such as the current unprecedent global crises” – This has been stressed by the Consumer Council of Fiji (CCoF) Chief Executive Ms Seema Shandil after the Council unearthed cases of traders retailing basic food items such as potatoes and onions at erroneous prices and without following the legally mandated pricing formula provided by the relevant enforcement body.
The Consumer Council of Fiji is baffled with the continued increase in landlord tenancy complaints with a record number of 2250 complaints worth over $500,000 recorded in the past 6 years.
The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCoF) and the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier today which now enables the two organisations to collaboratively create awareness and educate Fijians on their health and wellness.
The Consumer Council of Fiji has received reports of Fijians allegedly losing their money in a pyramid scheme known as community gifting circle in the Western Division.
Pyramid Schemes are illegal and anyone organising or participating in such schemes will be charged under; Section 87 A of the FCCC Act. This has been iterated by the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Hon. Faiyaz Koya after reports of Fijians participating in ‘get rich quick’ schemes have surfaced in the past few days.
Any and all pyramid schemes inevitably collapses – and when they do, it will cause havoc on peoples finances as well as personal relationships. This has been echoed by the Consumer Council of Fiji after receiving reports and tip-offs from concerned Fijians on the increasing number of people participating in pyramid gifting schemes – something which is illegal in Fiji and most countries worldwide.
The Consumer Council of Fiji is imploring consumers to exercise due diligence when purchasing Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) accumulators, particularly from social media platforms or online traders.
The Consumer Council of Fiji is issuing a stern warning to hardware traders who are accepting payments from consumers for the supply of hardware materials, but are failing to adhere to the agreed timeline to deliver the items.
