 "Watch out for online shopping scams this holiday season")
Losses to online shopping scams have increased 42 per cent this year, and Scamwatch is warning Australians to be careful when buying gifts this holiday season.
Scamwatch has received over 12,000 reports of online shopping scams so far this year, with almost $7 million in reported losses.
"More people have been shopping online this year due to COVID-19 restrictions and scammers are now targeting people doing their Christmas shopping, including in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales," ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
"Scammers create fake websites that look like genuine online stores, offering products at very low prices and victims will either receive a fake item or nothing at all."
"They also post fake ads on classified websites, often claiming they are travelling and someone else will deliver the goods, but the item never arrives and the victim can no longer contact the seller."
Losses on classified websites, such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, have increased by 60 per cent this year, to $4.5 million.
Reports of online shopping scams involving consumer goods, such as shoes, phones, computers and toys, continue to be high. But the most common thing people were trying to buy when they were scammed was puppies and other pets.
People aged 24 and under reported the highest number of scams involving phones and computers.
"Watch out for popular products being sold at prices much lower than on other websites and sellers requesting payment through direct bank transfer or cryptocurrency," Ms Rickard said.
"Take the time to consider who you are dealing with and don't be pressured by special offers."
"Do your research by checking independent reviews of online stores or the seller's history on classified websites."
Another scam to be aware of if you have made recent purchases online is fake parcel delivery notifications via text message or email.
"Australia Post will never ask you to click a link to enter your personal details, nor will they ask for credit card details or a fee to deliver your packages," Ms Rickard said.
"If you have been the victim of a scam, contact your bank as soon as possible and contact the platform on which you were scammed to inform them of the circumstances."
Most financial institutions offer a charge back service for credit cards and will dispute a credit transaction with the merchant if they still exist.
More information on scams is available on the Scamwatch website, including how to make a report and where to get help.
| Posted in:News |
 "Understand the insurance claims process")
MoneySmart
(ASIC)
It's easier to make a claim on your life insurance if you gather the right information for your insurer.
Who to contact to make a claim
To make a claim on your insurance, speak to the person or company you bought the policy from.
If you bought insurance through:
Ask how the claims process works and what forms you need to fill out. Make sure you have your policy number available. If you're struggling physically or emotionally, ask a trusted friend or family member for help with the claims process.
What information you need to provide
The insurer will ask for information to support your claim. Depending on the type of insurance, you may have to provide:
Your insurer may ask for permission to contact your doctor about your claim. You may also have to go to an independent medical examination with a specialist, who then reports to the insurer.
If illness or injury continues to affect your ability to earn an income, you may need to have regular assessments and complete progress claim forms.
How long the claims process takes
Depending on the circumstances, an insurer will let you know their decision for:
To find out the average time your insurer takes to finalise a claim, see the life insurance claims comparison tool.
The Life Insurance Code of Practice sets out what insurers should do when handling your claim, including timeframes for making a decision and keeping you updated. If they do not meet these standards you can complain to the insurer.
Complain about an insurer's claims process or decision
If you're not satisfied with the claims process or decision, make a complaint to the insurer or super fund. Do this as soon as you can.
If you can't reach an agreement, contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) to make a complaint and get free, independent dispute resolution.
Urgent financial help
If you need urgent financial help while a claim is being assessed, speak to the insurer or super fund. They will consider your circumstances and may be able to:
You will have to provide your insurer with documents that support your need for urgent financial help. These could include bank statements or Centrelink statements. Payments for urgent financial help may reduce your claim payout.
See urgent help with money for more information on where to get support.
| Posted in:News |
 "Australia to benefit from Asian rebound")
Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent
(Australian Associated Press)
The relative success of containing the coronavirus among Australia's regional neighbours and a strong economic rebound in China will assist the nation's recovery from the first recession in nearly 30 years.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says China, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, together with Australia and New Zealand, have been effective in limiting the transmission of COVID-19.
Some countries in the region also remain largely COVID-free, including many of the Pacific islands.
At the same time, the Chinese economy has also rebounded strongly.
"Indeed, China's rebound in real GDP in the June quarter was equal to the total size of Belgium's economy in 2019," Mr Frydenberg told The Australian Strategic Forum 2020 on Wednesday.
"The sharp contraction in GDP that China saw in the March quarter was completely recovered in the June quarter of this year."
This recovery is expected to continue in 2021 with the Australian Treasury forecasting China to grow by a further eight per cent.
"These two factors our relative success on the health front and China's strong recovery will further enhance our region's prospects as we move into recovery," Mr Frydenberg said.
"And Australia will benefit from this. A stronger region will help boost our own recovery from COVID-19."
But he said the immediate recovery goes beyond just a China story.
It is also tied to the continued, longer term rise of India, Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
"These growth engines of the future with relatively young and growing populations will continue to reshape the region and create important new opportunities for Australia," he said.
"That is why the Morrison government is deepening our economic partnerships, to take advantage of these new opportunities."
Last weekend, Australia signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Australia and 14 other Indo-Pacific countries, representing 30 per cent of global economic growth.
"This builds on the government's ongoing success in securing trade agreements and, importantly, it signifies that our region remains committed to the principles of open trade," Mr Frydenberg said.
"This will ensure that Australia is well placed to reap the full benefits of a strong and growing Indo-Pacific."
| Posted in:News |
 "Estimate how much super you'll have")
MoneySmart
(ASIC)
Take some of the guesswork out of planning for the future. Work out how much super you'll have when you retire, and if it will be enough to fund the lifestyle you want.
It's never too soon to start planning for a better financial future.
Estimate how much super you'll have
You probably know how much super you have now, but do you know how much you'll have when you retire?
Use the Moneysmart retirement planner to estimate:
You can also use the planner to test out different scenarios and work out how to grow your super.
Estimate how much super you'll have when you retire.
How much super you'll need when you retire
The amount of super you'll need when you retire depends on:
Most people can now expect to live well into their eighties. This means that if you stop working at 65, you'll need retirement income for 20 years or more.
You might be nervous about your investments or super at the moment. But don't make any rash decisions based on falls or gains in the markets.
Find out the steps you can take to make well-informed investment decisions.
Your big costs in retirement
Think about any big costs that might be part of your retirement plans. For example:
The lifestyle you want
Think about how you plan to spend your money in retirement. If you own your own home, a rule of thumb is that you'll need two-thirds (67%) of your pre-retirement income to maintain the same standard of living in retirement.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) provides an industry retirement standard. This estimates how much money you'll need, depending on your lifestyle.
| ASFA Retiremetn Standard | Comfortable lifestyle | Modest lifestyle |
| Single | $43,687 a year | $27,902 a year |
| $837 a week | $535 a week | |
| Couple | $61,909 a year | $40,380 a year |
| $1,186 a week | $774 a week |
Source: ASFA, June quarter 2020
ASFA estimates that the lump sum needed at retirement to support a comfortable lifestyle is $640,000 for a couple and $545,000 for a single person. This assumes a partial Age Pension.
ASFA estimates that a modest lifestyle, which covers the basics, is mostly met by the Age Pension. They estimate the lump sum needed to support a modest lifestyle for a single or couple is $70,000.
Build up your super
Many things contribute to your income in retirement, including investments outside of super and assets such as your home, especially if you downsize.
If you decide it is important to build your super, there are some actions that can make a big difference over time. Think about:
If you don't have as much as you'd like, it's never too late to build up your super to boost your retirement savings.
Throughout your working life, check your super at least annually. Check your fund has the correct personal details and tax file number (TFN). Review your employer's contributions, and your account fees, investment options and insurance. If you're not satisfied or don't understand any details about your fund, call them and ask questions.
If you need financial advice
Planning for your retirement is complex, and everyone's situation is different. Think about getting personalised advice from a financial adviser to help you plan ahead. Many super funds also provide this service.
| Posted in:News |
 "Jobless thrown another temporary lifeline")
Daniel McCulloch
(Australian Associated Press)
Unemployed Australians will soon receive $100 less per fortnight as coronavirus supplements are extended at a reduced rate.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is cutting the fortnightly pandemic payment to $150 from the end of December and extending it until March.
Single people on JobSeeker will receive up to $815 a fortnight from the start of next year.
Mr Morrison stressed the need to encourage people into work.
"We cannot allow the lifeline that has been extended to now hold Australia back as we move into the next phases of recovery," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
The coronavirus supplement initially doubled the $550 dole before being reduced in September.
Mr Morrison is not ruling out increasing the JobSeeker base rate beyond March.
"We haven't made a final decision on that," he said.
"Right now what matters is the supports that will continue to be provided at these elevated and temporary levels."
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said it was extraordinary the dole was being docked.
"They've cut both wage subsidies through JobKeeper and they're cutting JobSeeker when the government itself says more people will go on to unemployment benefits between now and Christmas," Mr Albanese said.
"Now is not the time to be withdrawing support from the economy."
The temporary reprieve will not satisfy community organisations, business groups, unions and economists calling for a permanent increase to the dole.
Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott is demanding a long-term solution.
"Why shouldn't unemployed people have the same certainty and predictability, instead of living from three months to three months, and get a decent, adequate allowance that allows them to live with dignity?"
More than 1.5 million Australians on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and parenting payments are receiving boosted welfare payments.
Once the coronavirus supplement is stripped away altogether, the dole is set to return to its pre-pandemic rate of $40 a day.
Mission Australia chief executive James Toomey said the inflated rate made a huge difference for people struggling to afford housing, education and healthcare.
"We are perplexed the federal government is considering further cuts to income support payments in early 2021," he said.
"Now is the time to provide certainty beyond March and lock in a new, permanent and adequate rate of income support to restore dignity and so that everyone is included in the recovery ahead."
The government is also extending the income-free area, which allows welfare recipients to earn $300 per fortnight without having their payments docked.
The elevated partner taper rate and expanded eligibility for sole traders and the self-employed are also being extended.
| Posted in:News |
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