Issue Date:  -  Monday, 25 February 2002

Consumer Alert

Glossy brochures promising quick wealth are again snaring unsuspecting consumers and business people who are paying big money based on smooth sales pitches depicting happy successful people who have supposedly become very rich.

"The Department of Consumer & Employment Protection is very concerned about the number of offers for products, services, business opportunities and other schemes which indicate big returns for little effort or investment on the consumer's part. With today's ready availability of computer equipment that can produce high quality promotional material, consumers are being duped into thinking that if it looks slick and successful, it must be legitimate. This is a fallacy which can cost dearly," Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said today.

Consumer Protection's call centre has received over a hundred calls from consumers who have received a very convincing brochure in their mailbox from a Queensland based company announcing "four hundred new millionaires every week". The brochure uses photos of a television personality and references to "the good things in life", to encourage the purchase of computer software which shows how to invest in shares, suggesting it is a "sure thing".

"If there was a guaranteed method of making millions, we would all use it", Mr. Walker said.

"In the end, it is the consumer who must make an informed decision about what they can afford to gamble. In the event of a consumer having a grievance with an interstate trader, it is often difficult for us to assist, so we strongly recommend that comprehensive research, including independent financial advice is undertaken before entering into ventures of this nature", Commissioner Walker said.

Consumer Protection can be contacted (state-wide) on telephone 1300 30 40 54.