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368k Australians potentially eligible for Westpac class action

The Federal Court is set to notify 368,000 Australians that may be eligible to join Slater and Gordon’s consumer credit class action against Westpac.

November 13, 2020 • By Naomi Neilson
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368k Australians potentially eligible for Westpac class action
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Compensation firm Slater and Gordon is preparing to represent thousands of Westpac customers who may have been sold junk credit card and insurance of little or no value. Some were sold insurance that they would have never been able to claim against.

 
 

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The firm claims that insurance was often sold to people with disabilities, who were not employed or who were chronically ill and therefore ineligible to claim. The class action further alleges that many people were led to believe that the insurance was compulsory or free, while others did not even know they had been sold it. 

It is one of four class actions in the #GetYourInsuranceBack campaign.

“Today, 368,000 customers identified in Westpac’s database will receive a notice advising them of the class action, and that Westpac have been accused of contravening the law,” said practice group leader Andrew Paull.

“The Banking Royal Commission exposed the blatant misbehaviour of the big banks, ripping off unsuspecting and trusting customers; this class action will hopefully get back the money taken from them when pressured into buying worthless products.”

 Similar notices for the ongoing ANZ and Commonwealth Bank class actions over junk insurance are expected to be sent out in coming months.

Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly, as well as other titles under the Momentum Media umbrella. She regularly writes about matters before the Federal Court of Australia, the Supreme Courts, the Civil and Administrative Tribunals, and the Fair Work Commission. Naomi has also published investigative pieces about the legal profession, including sexual harassment and bullying, wage disputes, and staff exoduses. You can email Naomi at: naomi.neilson@momentummedia.com.au.
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