The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced it has commenced proceedings against Refund Home Loans Pty Ltd and its Managing Director and founder, Wayne Rodney Ormond, alleging they made false and misleading representations in breach of the Trade Practices Act 1974 about having a special relationship with the ACCC.

It is alleged that Mr Ormond made statements over a number of years to current and former franchisees to the effect that the ACCC:

• advised Refund Home Loans and Mr Ormond about their conduct towards franchisees, and
• approved action taken by Refund Home Loans in respect of franchisees and former franchisees with whom it was in dispute.

The ACCC seeks declarations that the alleged statements breached the Act, injunctive relief, publication orders, the institution of a compliance program by Refund Home Loans, personal training in the Trade Practices Act 1974 for Mr Ormond and costs.

Proceedings were commenced in the Federal Court on 12 October 2009. A scheduling conference has been listed for 4 December 2009.

22 October, 2009