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Australia Regulator Alleges Broker Engaged In Misleading Conduct And Claims About Plan Comparisons
April 12,2019 The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against iSelect Limited, for what the ACCC alleged was, "misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations in relation to its energy plan comparison service." iSelect Limited is a commercial price comparator which compares utilities, insurance and finance products. It commenced retail electricity comparison services in 2012. "The ACCC alleges that since at least November 2016, iSelect has claimed consumers using its website would benefit from iSelect comparing all plans available from its partner retailers in a specific location. During this period, iSelect also claimed that it would recommend the most competitive plan to consumers," the ACCC said "The ACCC alleges iSelect did not compare all available plans, and did not necessarily recommend the most competitive plan, but rather limited the number of plans it compared based on the commercial arrangement it had with retailers. iSelect did not disclose this information to consumers who used its service," the ACCC said “iSelect told consumers they would help them compare all energy plans available in their area from all their partner retailers,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims alleged. “But we claim they were actually favouring some partner retailers over others, such as those on its ‘Preferred Partner Program’ who were allowed to have more plans available on the iSelect website that excluded and targeted certain consumers. These preferred retailers paid iSelect higher commissions,” Sims alleged "The ACCC alleges that some partner retailers offered cheaper plans that were not made available in iSelect’s comparison results. These cheaper plans were accessible via the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website, which shows all energy plans available in a consumer’s area," the ACCC said “We were particularly concerned with the issues raised about iSelect’s claims because we know consumers go to comparison sites to get the best deal, and for an impartial and objective comparison of complex energy plans. We allege they were not getting that so they may be paying more for electricity than they should be,” Sims said. “When comparison sites mislead consumers, it further adds confusion to the already complicated retail energy market, denying people an informed choice on what is often a major household expense,” Sims said “Free commercial comparison sites are often driven by business relationships with retailers that impact their recommendations. This needs to be very clearly disclosed to consumers so they can make an informed decision about whether to use these services,” Sims said. “The ACCC’s Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry recommended a mandatory code for comparator websites that, if it was in place, would have meant that iSelect would have been unable to implement its ‘Preferred Partner Program’ in the way the ACCC alleges they did,” Sims said. “In addition, we will continue to take action to address consumer and competition issues arising from opaque and complex pricing of essential services, in particular energy services which is a key compliance and enforcement priority for the ACCC this year,” Sims said. The ACCC is seeking pecuniary penalties, injunctions, declarations, correctives and costs. In FY2017, more than 9 million Australians visited the iSelect website and recommendations were made to over 6 million consumers over all categories.
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