The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently launched a one day sweep of websites with unclear or misleading Terms and Conditions on the internet. The sweep aimed to focus on the right consumers have online in relation to repair, replace and refund rights. The International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN) Internet sweep is an annual event which coordinates information gathering and enforcement priorities for consumer protection agencies across the globe.

Some businesses are not making the correlation that they are also bound by law – even when trading online – and must comply by consumer protection regulations online. Ultimately, consumer rights are protected when purchases, comments or competition entries are made online.

However, with the dynamic nature of the internet, some businesses may find it frustrating to keep up to date due to the constant amendments to rules and regulations.

Top three Terms and Conditions under review are:

1. Terms of Use

This protects the business and sets out the terms and conditions that are acceptable on your website.

2. Privacy

By complying with the Privacy Act, this instills confidence in the consumer that their information is protected.

3. Purchase Terms

It is imperative that e-commerce sites clearly display all their shipping and handling charges before the customer actually pays.

If caught out, businesses can face fines of up to $1.1million. Don’t get caught out with confusing or misleading Terms and Conditions – seek professional advice today.

If you are unsure as to whether you business website’s Terms and Conditions are compliant with the law, contact us immediately. Here at The Quinn Group we can assist you with navigating the complex nature of the law or any other legal queries you may have. Our experienced team of Lawyers, Accountants and Financial Planners can provide you the total solution for your business. For more information submit an online enquiry or call us on 1300 QUINNS (784 667) to book an appointment.