MORE households are struggling to pay their utility bills as power and water prices continue to soar.As reported in the Weekly last month, Wyndham City Salvation Army community support services manager Sue Brookshaw said a growing number of residents were being trapped in a debt spiral with little means of escape.
Werribee Support and Housing chief executive Carol Muir has previously stated rising cost of living pressures had forced more families to seek handouts.
To help those struggling to manage their budgets, a free financial counselling and legal advice will be offered to residents as part of a ‘Bring Your Bills Day’ on August 4.
Organised by the Wyndham Legal Service, Sunshine Mission and Footscray Community Legal Centre, the event will be held at Crossroads Uniting Church, corner Duncans Road and Synnot Street, Werribee from 11am to 3pm. Representatives from City West Water, Consumer Affairs Victoria, the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and other bodies will provide assistance. No appointments are necessary.
Wyndham Legal Service community development lawyer Shorna Moore said the centre had dealt with many clients from refugee backgrounds in the Werribee area who had been pressured into switching their electricity or gas companies without realising by salespeople purporting to be from the the government.
“Another tactic used by the retailers is to tell people to show them their bills so that they can show them how to save money. The retailers then take the details from the accounts and transfer them. People are receiving bills they don’t understand.”
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