Choice Shonky Awards 2025: Big names shamed as CommBank, Temu and HCF called out

From questionable pieces of clothing to Australia’s biggest bank, consumer advocacy group Choice has unveiled the “worst of the worst” in its annual Shonky Awards — featuring the usual offenders alongside some surprising newcomers.

The consumer advocacy group marked 20 years of its awards, which call out the dodgiest products, services and companies letting down Aussie consumers.

Topping the 2025 list was Commonwealth Bank, slammed for refusing to refund millions in unfair fees charged to low-income consumers.

Choice says 2.2 million people were slugged $270 million in fees that never should’ve been charged but the bank has refused to issue bulk refunds.

It’s the fourth time CommBank has landed a Shonky, making it the most awarded company in the event’s history.

Choice CEO Ashley de Silva told PerthNow “ Commonwealth Bank is a fair winner due to selling customers unfair fees and the ASIC investigation into the bank earlier this year.”

Online retail giant Temu also scored, accused of selling unsafe and poor-quality products and failing to protect shoppers.

Choice testing found every button battery product they bought from Temu failed safety standards — and one of the site’s hoodies even caught fire, badly burning an eight-year-old girl in Queensland.

Health insurer HCF was called out for what Choice labelled a “price rise in disguise”, while energy retailers were shamed for confusing pricing tactics that left customers overpaying.

Other “winners” included the Handy Heater Turbo 800 — described by Choice as a plug-in heater that “doesn’t plug in, or heat.”

“From airlines to banks and even camel milk, the Shonkys are about holding businesses to account and standing up for Australian consumers,” Mr de Silva said.

Full list of Shonky Award winners 2025

• Commonwealth Bank
• Temu
• Handy Heater Turbo 800
• Energy retailers
• HCF

Commonwealth Bank has been approached for comment.