How Does Afca Work
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) are not a government department or agency, and are not a regulator of the financial services industry. AFCA is a free, fair and independent dispute resolution scheme that considers complaints about financial products and services. AFCA's service is offered as an alternative to tribunals and courts to resolve complaints consumers and small businesses have with their financial firms.
They consider complaints about:
- credit, finance and loans
- insurance
- banking deposits and payments
- investments and financial advice
- superannuation
Specifically, they assist consumers and small businesses to reach agreements with financial firms about how to resolve their complaints, impartially and independently. If a complaint does not resolve between the parties, they will decide an appropriate outcome.
Their decisions can be binding on the financial firm involved in a complaint and they can award compensation for losses suffered because of a financial firm's error or inappropriate conduct. The purpose is not, however, to award compensation, punish financial firms or impose fines and the complainant is under no obligation to accept AFCA's decision and may move forward with litigation or other open methods of recourse.
Think you have been scammed?
- Do not send any more money
- Report it to your financial institution
- Be wary of follow-up scams promising to help get your money back (especially if situated outside Australia)
- Report it to your local police
- Report it to ASIC
- Request a free case review with the SCAMAssist
Free Review