Suspect businesses are charging excess carbon tax on the sly?

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Then you can dob them in via the consumer watchdog’s new hotline, announced today.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) new Carbon Claims Hotline “invites complaints about false or misleading carbon price claims”.

The hotline will make it easier for consumers and business to complain if they suspect false price claims are being made about the carbon price, the watchdog said.

“The ACCC hotline will make it easier for consumers and small business to alert the ACCC if what they’re seeing doesn’t look quite right.”

“The ACCC is concerned that consumers may be duped into accepting a price increase for a product or service because of the carbon price, when the carbon price is actually not the cause,” said chairman Rod Sims.

Some businesses will pass on the carbon price, which will lead to a “modest” increase rises in prices, according to the Gillard government, which should increase the cost of living by 0.7% during 2012-13, although items like food will be least affected.

“While businesses are free to set their own prices, if they make claims about the impact of the carbon price these need to be truthful and have a reasonable basis,” Sims said.

And businesses seeking to mislead consumers by making false price claims about the carbon price can expect a call from the ACCC, he warned

To report a claim or for further information on the ACCC’s role in relation to carbon price claims and a range of associated publications for businesses and consumers, visit www.accc.gov.au/carbon.

Suspect claims can also be reported on 1300 303 609 and there’s also a online carbon price claim form.

However, the watchdog role does not extend to formally monitoring or restricting price rises.