Monday 31 July 2006 06 LAWFUEL – Press Release Service – The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has urged consumers to check the legitimacy of online tutoring providers after complaints over ABC Tutors Pty Ltd (ABC Tutors) – a company associated with Queensland-based organisation, Tutormaster Pty Ltd (Tutormaster). ASIC’s latest warning follows complaints earlier this year from both tutors owed thousands of dollars and parents who’d had their credit cards debited for services not provided. ABC Tutors is believed to run a similar operation to Tutormaster, purporting to provide on-line tuition to both primary and secondary students throughout Australia. Both companies share an identical director and secretary, Mr Salvador Paje, who appears to have fled to the Philipines. ASIC’s Executive Director of Consumer Protection, Mr Greg Tanzer, repeated his earlier warnings to parents, students, and tutors to be cautious when dealing with online tutoring companies. ‘As parents think about engaging tutors to assist their children, they need to be vigilant when dealing with tutoring companies over the internet’, Mr Tanzer reiterated. ‘ABC Tutors targets university campuses and local newspapers with a view to engaging the services of students. However, students have contacted ASIC stating that they are rarely, if ever, paid for their labour. ‘Parents and potential tutors should be wary about dealing with companies that trade exclusively on-line with little or no human contact’, warned Mr Tanzer. ASIC is continuing to conduct enquiries in relation to both ABC Tutors and Tutormaster. ABC Tutor’s website, www.abctutors.com.au, is no longer available on-line. Complaints in respect of either ABC Tutors or Tutormaster may be lodged with ASIC via our website or by writing to any of our capital city offices across Australia at: Manager National Assessment & Action ASIC GPO Box 9827 IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY For further information contact: Greg Tanzer Executive Director, Consumer Protection Telephone: 07 3867 4704 Mobile: 0411 549 144 Emma Forehan ASIC Media Unit Telephone: 03 9280 3354 Mobile: 0409 702 310 Page 1 of 1
and safety checks, Visit FIDO, ASIC’s website for consumers and investors for financial tips
www.fido.gov.au
Monday 31 July 2006 06 LAWFUEL – Press Release Service – The Austral…
