NSW Fair Trading is using National Fraud Week to highlight the risk that scammers and other unscrupulous traders pose for Indigenous communities.

Fair Trading’s Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin said National Fraud Week activities across the country were focused on the enormous personal cost of scams.

“Indigenous communities are at particular risk of unfair trade practices because of factors such as geographic isolation, lack of choice and competition, language barriers, a lack of financial literacy and restricted access to services.

“Scammers have, in the past, deliberately targeted Indigenous communities “One alarming but common example has them arriving unannounced at family homes, using highpressure, emotional tactics to sign people up to funeral funds.

“People signing a funeral fund contract can be ripped off badly, paying much more than the funeral is worth and getting tied to the contract for years.”

Mr Griffin said NSW Fair Trading had a number of dedicated Indigenous programs.

“There are fifteen dedicated Aboriginal customer service officers delivering programs on financial literacy and consumer rights,” he said.

“More than $2 million is invested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenancy support programs this financial year, as well as $250,000 in financial counselling initiatives delivered by the non-government sector.”

NSW Fair Trading is the lead agency in a national initiative dedicated to improving consumer protection for Indigenous people.

“The National Indigenous Consumer Strategy Action Plan focuses heavily on misleading and deceptive trade practices, educating traders and trying to get more information into the community around acceptable marketing practices,” Mr Griffin said.

“The Action Plan is also fostering greater co-operation between agencies, which has been enhanced by the introduction of the Australian Consumer Law on 1 January 2011.”

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission provides assistance to people experiencing credit difficulties. Visit www.asic.gov.au or telephone 1300 300 630.

More information on Fair Trading can be viewed at this website or call 13 32 20.

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