Table of Contents
- Choice's 20th Shonky Awards single out banks, online retailers and unsafe products
- Temu flagged for dangerous children's products
- Energy retailers criticised for confusing billing
- Handy Heater Turbo 800 labelled unsafe
- What this means for consumers
Choice's 20th Shonky Awards single out banks, online retailers and unsafe products
The Commonwealth Bank has been named the most-awarded organisation in Choice’s 20th annual Shonky Awards, after ASIC found millions of customers were hit with unfair fees. The decision has put the bank at the centre of national scrutiny over consumer fees and refund practices.
Choice CEO Ashley De Silva told 7NEWS the bank stood out because ASIC identified banks charging low-income customers excessive fees. While other banks agreed to bulk refunds straight away, the Commonwealth Bank initially refused and later said refunds would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The scale of the issue is significant: Choice highlighted that 2.2 million customers were impacted, totalling about $270 million in unfair fees. The controversy centres on how quickly affected customers will be reimbursed and whether the bank’s response meets consumer expectations.
Temu flagged for dangerous children's products
Cheap online marketplace Temu also received a Shonky this year after Choice’s product testing raised alarm bells about safety. The tests focused on children's items bought at random from the site, with worrying results.
Choice tested 15 children's products and found every single one contained a button battery, and each failed at least one Australian standard for button batteries. Some of those items were later recalled, but incidents kept occurring.
In January a girl in Queensland suffered serious burns when a hoodie caught fire; that product was only recalled four months later. The pattern has prompted ongoing concerns about product safety and the speed of recalls for imported, low-cost goods.
Energy retailers criticised for confusing billing
At a time of soaring energy costs, Choice handed the energy retail sector a shared Shonky for confusing tactics around notifying customers about better deals. The issue is particularly sensitive given widespread worry about household bills.
Choice found that energy retailers sometimes send notifications that a customer "could be on a better deal" but name the new plan with the same title as the customer’s current plan. That similarity can mislead people into thinking they’re already on the best deal when they are not.
Choice notes that 84% of Australians are worried about paying energy bills, making clear and honest communication from retailers essential.
Handy Heater Turbo 800 labelled unsafe
The Handy Heater Turbo 800 was singled out as a very deserving Shonky for multiple safety and compliance failures. Choice’s testing and inspections revealed several concerning faults with the product.
The heater does not plug directly into Australian sockets as expected and is supplied with an adapter that leaves pins exposed when in use. Testers also found insecure wiring and components made from thermoplastic that softens when the unit heats up.
Taken together, these faults mean the product does not meet basic safety expectations for plug-in heaters sold here.
What this means for consumers
Choice’s Shonky Awards aim to highlight practices and products that harm or mislead consumers. The focus this year on banks, online marketplaces, energy retailers and unsafe electrical goods shows problems across several sectors.
For affected customers, the main concerns are fair refunds, prompt recalls, clear communications and safe products. Regulators, retailers and suppliers are under pressure to act faster and more transparently to protect households.
Why did the Commonwealth Bank receive the Shonky Award?
The Commonwealth Bank was singled out because ASIC found excessive fees charged to low-income customers, affecting about 2.2 million people and totalling roughly $270 million. Unlike some banks that promised bulk refunds immediately, the bank initially refused and later said refunds would be handled case-by-case.
What safety problems were found with Temu products?
Choice tested 15 randomly purchased children's items from Temu and found every product contained a button battery; every item failed at least one Australian standard for button batteries. Additional incidents, such as a hoodie catching fire, highlighted ongoing safety risks and slow recall responses.
How are energy retailers misleading customers about better deals?
Energy retailers have been notifying customers they "could be on a better deal" but sometimes use confusing plan names—occasionally the new plan has the same name as the customer’s current plan—leading customers to mistakenly believe they are already on the best option.
What are the safety issues with the Handy Heater Turbo 800?
The heater doesn’t fit Australian sockets directly and requires an adapter that leaves pins exposed. Choice also found insecure wiring and that the casing is made from thermoplastic, which can soften as the unit heats, creating a fire and safety risk.
What should consumers do if they’re affected by these issues?
Keep records and receipts, check regulator and recall notices, contact your provider for refunds or remedies, and report safety concerns to the ACCC or your state consumer protection agency. If a product appears unsafe, stop using it and follow recall instructions.
The information in this article has been adapted from mainstream news sources and video reports published on official channels. Watch the full video here Commonwealth Bank wins Choice's worst company award | 7NEWS
