With fraud on the increase and businesses focusing on the bottom line – profit – consumers need to be more savvy than ever.
Whether we buy medical aid, car or house insurance, foodstuffs from a grocery store or holiday accommodation, we need to know our rights as consumers.
We must arm ourselves with the knowledge that will allow us to fight for our rights when we are wronged, but also to be more vigilant from the outset to prevent being taken for a ride in the first place.
In an article that appeared on the business page of Monday’s Zululand Observer, specific mention was made of a shop that, during an inspection by MEC Zikalala in Hluhluwe and surrounding areas, was found to be selling baby food that expired in 2015.
Whether the culprit was a ‘spaza’ shop in a deep rural area or a franchised chain, the same rules apply to all, and the Consumer Protection Act protects every consumer in the same way.
There is an Ombudsman for almost every industry.
The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial public official responsible for investigating public complaints.
Consumers must arm themselves with the contact details of each Ombudsman – listed below – to ensure a fair outcome when retail outlets or industries don’t abide by the rules.
But there are steps consumers can – and should – take to prevent being wronged in the first place.
Taking the expired baby food example, it is important for consumers to check expiry dates on products before buying them – especially dairy and meat products.
The sad reality is that consumers should never assume that retailers or any industry players for that matter, have their best interests at heart.
While we should not tar all players with the same brush, there are far too many unscrupulous business people out there looking to take advantage of the vulnerable.
When it comes to insurance policies, consumers should never let themselves be pushed into taking one out.
Take time to research the product and the company in question before parting with your money.
Finally, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Banking Ombudsman: 011 712 1800 or info@obssa.co.za
Community scheme Ombudsman (including sectional title schemes or homeowners’ associations or schemes for retired people): 010 593 0533 or info@csos.org.za
National Consumer Commissioner: 0860 003 600, 012 428 7000 or Complaints@thencc.org.za
Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman: 0860 000 272 or info@cgso.org.za
Credit Ombudsman: 077 781 6431 or ombud@creditombud.org.za
Debt counselling problems (National Credit Regulator deals with queries not resolved by the Credit Ombudsman): 011 554 2600, complaints@ncr.org.za or dccomplaints@ncr.org.za
Council for Medical Schemes: 0861 123 267 or complaints@medicalschemes.com
Motor Industry Ombudsman: 0861 164 672 or Info@miosa.co.za
Pension funds adjudicator: 012 748 4000, 012 346 1738 or enquiries@pfa.org.za
Short-term insurance Ombudsman: 11 726 8900 or info@osti.co.za
Press Council: 011 484 3612 or johanr@ombudsman.org.za
