Web site address: http://www.vicnet.net.au/~fcrc/ MEDIA RELEASE 1 JUNE 2000 BANK CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR SAY ABOUT ELECTRONIC BANK FEES The Financial and Consumer Rights Council has been swamped with calls from consumers who are angry or confused about the cost of banking, particularly in relation to electronic transactions. In response to this problem the Council is running a survey, offering consumers an opportunity to air their views about electronic bank fees and charges. The FCRC survey will run throughout June. Consumers can access the survey via FCRC's website at http://www.vicnet.net.au/~fcrc/ or by phoning the Council and requesting that a copy be faxed or posted out. FCRC's Policy Coordinator, Sharon Barker stated, "Despite the fact that almost every expert in the country has had their say about banking and bank fees, there has been no positive change for consumers. Its time that ordi nary consumers had an opportunity voice their views about bank fees and FCRC is facilitating this process". The results of the survey will be submitted to the Joint Committee on Corporations and Securities inquiry into electronic banking in July. The Council will also institute other methods to link with consumers during June. Many of its members, who are financial counsellors and consumer support workers, will take to the streets throughout metropolitan Melbourn e and country Victoria to collect consumer's opinions about electronic banking. "The cost of banking in Australia is obviously hurting ordinary consumers and, therefore, we anticipate a high level of interest in the survey", stated Sharon Barker. For more information contact: Sharon Barker Policy Coordinator on 9614 5433 or mobile 0409 432 932 Financial and Consumer Rights Council An independent association funded by the Department of Human Services and the Office of Fair Trading & Business Affairs Association No: A0000536A Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
