[Dickb]

I used to avoid ATM fees from the former Commonwealth Bank ATM outside Woolworths at Banyo (now ATMX with fees on most cards) by drawing cash at Woolworths when I shopped. They used to allow up to $600 at self service checkouts and $200 at the service desk. I thought it wrong but you could even draw cash without even buying anything. The other day, I tried to draw $300 at the self service checkout despite there being an ‘other amount’ option where you used to be able to request up to $600 and the error message came up you have exceeded the $200 limit and to change the requested amount to under $200. The assistant staff member said it was all changing so I suspect they were going to stop people using it as an ATM without buying anything and maybe working to phasing out cash.

[Dickb]

I thought that Australian cash was legal tender and had to be accepted. However the ACCC says that is not the case (see ACCC website).

https://www.accc.gov.au/business/selling-products-and-services/payment-methods

I know there used to be rules on how much smaller currency that businesses accepted as payment. This was to stop someone presenting with small denomination coins to pay a bill and the business having to count it.

I always carry some cash in case needed. I appreciate that phasing out cash minimizes the need to count it, deposit it, reduces the risk of employee theft and robberies but recently two businesses put a message out on Facebook telling followers to bring cash to pay for food and drink as the electronic card system was down.

Another day, Subway and the whole shopping complex had an internet outage all day and I was the only one of a few carrying some cash to buy food for lunch. The business lost possibly thousands of dollars in sales as even ATMs were down so no one could get cash out.

[Dickb]

The government scout claim implying it was a legitimate service may an issue. However, a few years ago, community groups were going around my suburb offering this innovative door to door service of painting on numbers on the kerb as a fundraising method for a legitimate good cause. It served a purpose for ambulances,police and visitors being able to locate your home particularly at night.
I have also got metal house numbers free from the Brisbane City Council Ward office and pop riveted these on to the side of my two wheelie bins. This also helps when the bins are put out the night before so they can be collected the next morning. It is also handy to identify which is your bin/s when in a complex where multiple bins are put out together.

[Dickb]

I recommend if computer and smart phone users are concerned with cyber security and scams that they seek help from the many computer clubs that operate in Australia. If you are over 50 and live in the Greater Brisbane area which covers Moreton, Redlands and Brisbane, they consider joining Brisbane Seniors Online.
A volunteer empathetic patient tutor around the same age will visit your home and give you as a guide about 12 hours of home lessons on your device and at a pace that suits. Windows, Android, Apple devices and smart phones as well as digital photography are taught. A small Linux group also operates in BSOL.
An affordable fee of $20 joining (one-off) and $45 a year applies. Learners as well as volunteer mentors are welcome to join. Applications can be done online through the website.
Contact Brisbane Seniors Online on 3393 2225 or see http://www.bsol.asn.au Facebook.com/BrisbaneSeniorsOnline

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