NZ On Air

Ml n, Noa'ia, Mauri, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Tlofa, Kia orana, Ml e lelei, Talofa lava, Tn koutou katoa and warm Pacific greetings Sometimes when you have a problem, it seems that there is nothing you can do. If you have a complaint about a big company like your bank, your insurer or finance company, or your phone, internet, electric... ity or gas provider, they are too big and you are so small, it seems like you cannot win. They are too big to take to court, and it will cost you money. The Government recognises your disadvantage and has promoted Dispute Resolution Schemes to help to resolve these issues AT NO COST TO YOU. The Minister of Consumer Affairs regulates these schemes in many of the areas where people may have problems. What do the dispute resolution schemes do? All schemes are free and independent. They can answer your questions, look into your complaints, or get you to the right place. The financial service provider schemes cover banks, credit cards, insurance companies, small lenders, money transfer operators, financial advisers, and savings funds. If you have a complaint about any of these you can contact one of the four schemes: The Banking Ombudsman, The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, Financial Services Complaints, or Financial Dispute Resolution Service. Utilities Disputes deals with complaints against electricity and gas companies. If you have a dispute with your electricity or gas company, they will look into it for you. The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution scheme can help with problems and complaints with your phone or internet provider, such as billing issues. The Dispute Resolution Schemes are FREE, independent and impartial and act to ensure that consumers are treated fairly. That means that if it is within their power to do so, they will look at your complaint and decide what is right. They must be accessible to all consumers. Many have material available in Pacific Island languages and Te Reo, and all offer interpretation services. They will attempt to help ...Read More