Watchdog launches action against home builder over review websites

Perth-based home builder Aveling Homes has been accused by the consumer watchdog of creating websites doctored to show only positive reviews of its customers, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleging they were designed to look like independent websites.

Aveling homes accused of creating misleading review websites.

The action, launched in the Federal Court by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, claims Aveling engaged in misleading conduct and and made false or misleading representations through the sites.

The ACCC said in a statement: “The ACCC alleges that Aveling Homes created review websites that represented they were independent of Aveling Homes, and that the appearance, layout and features gave consumers the overall impression that they were affiliated with an independent third party consumer review website, Product Review, when this was not the case.”