A buy now, pay later industry crackdown is coming. What could it mean for you?

  • 📰 SBSNews
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 48 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 22%
  • Publisher: 89%

Business News News

Business Business Latest News,Business Business Headlines

The federal government is considering how to reform the rapidly-growing buy now, pay later industry, with three options up for discussion. Here's how they could change the industry.

The first would see the existing industry code strengthened and the introduction of an affordability test, which could include credit checks. However, it would not require a provider to verify a customer's financial situation.

Advocates have welcomed the review and want the government to fully regulate the industry. Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Gerard Brody said the group's submission to Treasury's consultation would call for option three to be implemented. “Many of the people using BNPL are on low, and sometimes, precarious incomes. While the amounts people borrow may look small, the impact when the debt cannot be paid is not. People are having to forgo other essential items in order to pay their BNPL debts," she said.

Treasury's discussion paper on the review noted the Australian Financial Complaints Authority received 767 complaints relating to BNPL products in 2020-21. It said the relatively low number may be due to customers resolving disputes directly with the BNPL provider, but also flags concerns raised by consumer groups who claim vulnerable customers may not be aware of AFCA or how to raise a complaint with it.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Can they just leave it alone seriously … go away

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 3. in BUSİNESS

Business Business Latest News, Business Business Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

'Inappropriate lending': Buy now pay later industry to face new regulations to stop financial abuseAn estimated 7 million 'buy now pay later' users will soon see new laws introduced that aims to better protect them against financial abuse. A Treasury paper being released today suggests 'unaffordable or inappropriate lending practices are contributing to financial stress and hardship'. We need personal finance 101 classes taught in school Only degenerates buy now pay later. Now that all the Canberra lobbyists and ex ministers have cashed out of Afterpay. What a great idea.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Oversight coming for booming buy now pay later industryAs the number of Australian buy now pay later accounts has grown beyond 7 million, the government has unveiled three options for tighter regulation of the industry | rachelclun rachelclun Obviously you buy only what you can afford I use Zip and PayPal I don't have a problem the repayments for both are affordable and After Pay are brilliant why does the Government always interfere 😔
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »