In light of a recent incident resulting in the unfortunate loss of a human life, the Consumer Council of Fiji is calling on all industries to focus on prioritizing and upholding the highest standards of consumer safety. The incident has highlighted the need for rigorous adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations. Businesses and […]
“It’s a budget that will definitely build a stronger economy and an equitable society”. The significant measures announced in 2023-2024 national budget aimed at bolstering social welfare assistance and alleviating the burden on consumers’ everyday expenses, especially in times of global economic uncertainties, is welcomed by the Consumer Council of Fiji. The budget introduces substantial […]
Manufacturers and retailers across Fiji are being urged to pass on the recent reduction in the price of flour to consumers. The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission recently announced a 6% decrease in the price of flour in Fiji, and the Consumer Council of Fiji sees this as an opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their […]
Consumers are reminded to be vigilant and tread carefully when engaging with traders/individuals on social media platforms advertising alluring ways to earn money; while barely disclosing any information about the scheme. This reminder comes as the Consumer Council of Fiji is investigating reports that consumers are being lured by a possible scheme which is mimicking […]
Consumers are urged to exercise extreme vigilance when dealing with certain individuals/traders operating via social media platforms. This alert comes in light of numerous complaints and social media tip-offs whereby, in a classic case of smoke and mirrors, customers paid these individuals for their services, only to be met with deceit and disappointment. The Council […]
An alert is being issued to consumers against engaging with certain dodgy electronics dealers whose operations have come under the radar of the Consumer Council. ‘Quantum Electronics,’ ‘Computer Hub,’ and ‘Vision Cyber Tech’ has collectively garnered a staggering 119 complaints. Whilst the three companies are registered under the names of different individuals who are close […]
Fijians are being alerted about a scam that is currently circulating on popular messaging platforms, Viber and WhatsApp. Scammers are targeting individuals by calling or sending messages, congratulating them on winning a lottery and enticing them to claim a substantial prize amount. The scammers then request personal information such as banking details from their victims, […]
The Consumer Council of Fiji is is urging consumers to exercise caution when dealing with Sangita Maharaj, a notorious rental scammer who has been operating under various aliases on Facebook, including Geeta Sagar, Saagrika Sagar, Sangeeta Devi, Sangita Sharma, Sangita Sagar, Sangi, Savi, Rose Smith, and Shiv Enterprises. This individual has been orchestrating fraudulent schemes […]
The Consumer Council of Fiji welcomes the recently launched MPAiSA Mastercard by Vodafone, a revolutionary digital payment solution that offers convenience to consumers. This addition to consumers wallet will offer exciting possibilities for seamless digital transactions. The CCoF Chief Executive Officer Ms Seema Shandil has commended Vodafone for the introduction of this globally connected and […]
The Consumer Council of Fiji is calling out ‘notorious’ and ‘dodgy’ supermarkets after hundreds of misleading prices were discovered on store shelves and in advertisements. A total of 574 cases of misleading prices and advertisements were discovered from August 2022 to March 2023. Continuous surveillance and monitoring by the Council coupled with consumer complaints has […]
Consumers are being alerted to refrain from making residential bond and rental payment without verifying if they are dealing with the real property owner or an authorized agent. This alert is being issued after the discovery of a residential rental scam being orchestrated by a woman in Suva who falsely claims to offer flats for […]
Universities and other short course providers must ensure they have the resources and capacity to deliver programs before advertising, luring and taking payments from students. This is after the Council recently received complaints against three different short course providers for not being able to adequately deliver the courses after taking payments. In one of the […]
A local aluminum service provider has come under the radar of the Consumer Council of Fiji for taking large sums of money from consumers and failing to deliver on promised services. The company, which operates primarily through Facebook has been accused of taking payments as high as $18,000 from several customers, but has yet to […]
Visit to hair and beauty salons turned into a nightmare for some consumers after they were left with a scarring reminder that when the right products and correct procedures are not practiced; they may face the ugly side of the industry. Complaints lodged at the Council recently revealed that some consumers were left in a […]
Unwarranted delays, poor service delivery, giving customers a run around, accepting paymentsand disappearing without completing works is becoming a common occurrence amongst construction/joinery companies. It has also been discovered that certain traders/individuals are advertising their services through online platforms and taking thousands of dollars as deposits with no intention to carry out the agreed work. […]