It looks like a scam. But if you’ve received an unexpected email or text message, starting with

The Supreme Court of Victoria has ordered that you receive this notice because you may be a group member in the JB Hi-Fi Class Action.

The Supreme Court of Victoria has ordered that you receive this notice because you may be a group member in the JB Hi-Fi Class Action.

it is most likely real. Those messages are about an upcoming court case, relating to extended warranties sold by JB Hi-Fi over more than a decade.

More than 8 million customers who bought those warranties are eligible to be part of the case – and potentially compensation if the case succeeds. The clock is now ticking for them to decide whether to stay involved, or opt out.

Win or lose, the case will be significant in addressing unanswered questions about Australians’ protections for defective goods.

It challenges the value of extended warranties to buyers – and exactly what retailers have to tell consumers about their rights under Australian consumer law.

What the court case is about

The case relates to extended warranties sold by electronics and appliances retailer JB Hi-Fi between January 1 2011 to December 8 2023. A similar action against retailer Harvey Norman may follow.

Extended warranties are often offered to consumers to buy at the point of sale for electronics and........

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