Invest
Still pay bills the old-fashioned way?
People still relying on snail mail to receive their bills are probably paying higher fees for the privilege, a commissioner has warned.
Still pay bills the old-fashioned way?
People still relying on snail mail to receive their bills are probably paying higher fees for the privilege, a commissioner has warned.
A statement from the South Australian Commissioner for Consumer Affairs has said consumers may not realise that the bills they receive in their letterbox are costing them more than other avenues of notification.
Commissioner Dini Soulio said this fee “could be a couple of dollars for some service providers, and for those receiving multiple paper bills over the course of a year, it’s an added cost people don’t need”.
Highlighting that this is especially true for those on a low income, Mr Soulio said people who want to avoid the fee should switch to online billing.
For people who want or need to continue receiving paper bills the old-fashioned way, he flagged that people can find out whether they may be eligible for a fee exemption.
“Many companies offer fee exemptions for people who meet certain criteria, such as if they are seniors, registered for a concession, on low incomes or if they have limited access to the internet.”
According to the commissioner’s statement, paper bill fees are designed to cover an organisation’s printing and mailing costs.
“But many service providers have exemptions from fees available for people who receive paper bills because they have no real alternative,” Mr Soulio reiterated.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Cash
Navigating the equilibrium: Investor sentiment in the face of equity peaks and diminishing cash reserves
State Street's latest Risk Appetite Index indicates a nuanced shift in institutional investor sentiment during March, with the index reverting slightly towards neutrality. This subtle recalibration in ...Read more
Cash
RBA's November rate hike overshadows Melbourne Cup festivities
In a move that managed to draw attention away from the thrill of the Melbourne Cup, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35 per cent, surprising ...Read more
Cash
RBA makes first cash rate call for 2022
The RBA has announced its first rate decision for 2022. Read more
Cash
Cash remains king for many Australians
Demand for banknotes remains high despite a decline in cash transactions. Read more
Cash
Interest rates to rise next year?
Commonwealth Bank has seconded Westpac’s predictions, forecasting that interest rates will rise well ahead of the RBA’s 2024 timeline. Read more
Cash
RBA makes latest official cash rate call
The Reserve Bank of Australia has made its May call on the official cash rate, with the economy said to be a long way from the conditions needed to precede a rate rise. Read more
Cash
RBA puts chatter of an earlier rate hike to rest
The Reserve Bank of Australia has put to rest chatter among investors that conditions for a higher cash rate could be met as early as next year, reaffirming its stance that the rate is “very likely” ...Read more
Cash
Australia tipped to go cashless by 2024
Australia is forecast to effectively go cashless in just three years, with three in 10 Aussies admitting that “going cashless would be great for the country”. Read more
Cash
Navigating the equilibrium: Investor sentiment in the face of equity peaks and diminishing cash reserves
State Street's latest Risk Appetite Index indicates a nuanced shift in institutional investor sentiment during March, with the index reverting slightly towards neutrality. This subtle recalibration in ...Read more
Cash
RBA's November rate hike overshadows Melbourne Cup festivities
In a move that managed to draw attention away from the thrill of the Melbourne Cup, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35 per cent, surprising ...Read more
Cash
RBA makes first cash rate call for 2022
The RBA has announced its first rate decision for 2022. Read more
Cash
Cash remains king for many Australians
Demand for banknotes remains high despite a decline in cash transactions. Read more
Cash
Interest rates to rise next year?
Commonwealth Bank has seconded Westpac’s predictions, forecasting that interest rates will rise well ahead of the RBA’s 2024 timeline. Read more
Cash
RBA makes latest official cash rate call
The Reserve Bank of Australia has made its May call on the official cash rate, with the economy said to be a long way from the conditions needed to precede a rate rise. Read more
Cash
RBA puts chatter of an earlier rate hike to rest
The Reserve Bank of Australia has put to rest chatter among investors that conditions for a higher cash rate could be met as early as next year, reaffirming its stance that the rate is “very likely” ...Read more
Cash
Australia tipped to go cashless by 2024
Australia is forecast to effectively go cashless in just three years, with three in 10 Aussies admitting that “going cashless would be great for the country”. Read more
