More than 30 Australian traders have taken down or amended misleading and deceptive internet sites following an Australian-led international internet sweep, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.
"The international sweep involved consumer protection agencies from 24 countries that are members of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN)", Mr Samuel said. "In Australia, ACCC and state/territory fair trading agencies examined more than 3000 sites for misleading representations or other breaches of the consumer protection law.
"The ACCC targeted websites that were simply 'too good to be true', such as those promoting work-at-home schemes with unbelievable promises, miracle cures, lottery scams, pyramid selling schemes, get-rich-quick schemes, prizes and free offers which were not actually free".
In total, the ACCC contacted the traders responsible for over 50 sites that the ACCC believed were misleading or raised other concerns for consumers. Following a number of investigations that included capturing websites and corresponding with relevant traders, more than 85 per cent of these sites have now been removed or amended in light of the ACCC's concerns.
"For example, one trader, Astrix Pty Ltd, made a number of misleading claims about a weight-loss product on several websites. The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Astrix which will not only prevent Astrix from making these misleading claims in the future but require it to place corrective advertising on its websites and offer a full refund to any consumer who bought the ECA Stack product".
Other examples of claims that have been removed include:
- claims that sufferers of serious illnesses could be 'guaranteed' remission
- claims that a weight-loss product was suitable for all ages, had no side effects and was effective in causing weight-loss without diet or exercise
- claims that cosmetic products can slow, stop and even reverse the effects of ageing, and give users 'young and beautiful skin forever'
- claims that consumers can make considerable amounts of money with little or no effort, in a very short timeframe.
Investigations into a further five traders identified during the sweep are continuing.
"The internet provides new opportunities for consumers, but also new dangers", Mr Samuel said. "The success of this year's sweep demonstrates that the continued vigilance of the ACCC and other state, territory and international agencies is necessary if consumers are to be protected online".