ACCC targets door-to-door sales tactics

In a Media Release released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC), the Commission has filed proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd (formerly TRUenergy Pty Ltd) and four marketing and sales companies engaged by Energy Australia in relation to their door-to-door selling practices.

The marketing companies are Sales Marketing and Real Technologies – SMART Pty Ltd, Aegis Services Australia Pty Ltd, Multiple Stories Pty Ltd (trading as Aegis Direct) and Australian Sales and Promotions Pty Ltd.

The ACCC is alleging that Energy Australia and these marketing companies, through the conduct of certain sales representatives engaged by them or acting on their behalf, made false, misleading or deceptive representations while calling on consumers at their homes for the purpose of negotiating agreements for the supply of retail electricity and/or gas by Energy Australia. The ACCC alleges this conduct occurred variously across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland between July 2011 and August 2012.

To view Media Release 48-13, click here.

Changes to Competition and Consumer legislation can be tracked, compared and accessed at any point in time with our Competition and Consumer Point-in-Time Service. Contact TimeBase for a free trial.