Consumer Protection

• Be wary of fake door to door tradies offering cheap deals
• Check out the licence, if required, and credentials of tradies
• Charity scammers are known to target disasters to steal money from donors

A precautionary warning to victims of recent bushfires in Perth and WA’s South-West that they could be targeted by travelling conmen aiming to capitalise on their misfortune.

The warning also extends to those thinking of making donations to make sure they are not fooled into giving money to scammers instead.

• People looking for love online are prime targets for scammers
• WA victims lost almost $3 million in 2021
• Check to ensure the online love interest is genuine

Consumer Protection warns Western Australians looking for love could be left with a broken heart and an empty bank balance if they fail to spot the signs their online romance is the work of scammers.

Would-be scammers are using a broader range of digital platforms to target victims, including social networks, dating sites and instant-messaging apps.

• 68 vehicles deemed unfit for sale by automotive inspectors in 2021
• Defects mostly related to tyres, windscreens and seatbelts
• Buyers urged to get a mechanical inspection before purchase

Automotive officers from Consumer Protection prevented 68 unroadworthy motor vehicles from being sold in 2021, helping to protect buyers and other road users in WA.

Random inspections are regularly carried out at car yards in WA and green “Unfit for Sale” stickers are placed on vehicles that have defects and are considered unsafe or unroadworthy.

• Land valuer fined $4,000 for failing to meet accepted industry standards
• Inaccurate valuations have implications for buyers, sellers and tax purposes
• Maintaining standards is vital in upholding community confidence in the industry

An Applecross land valuer has been reprimanded and fined $4,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to maintain basic industry standards when preparing estimates for four WA properties.

• Investigation into tickets allegedly sold for more than the allowed 110 per cent.
• Viagogo urged to do more to prevent illegal ticket sales on their website.
• Evidence that some tickets on Viagogo are at least double the original price.

Consumer Protection is investigating ticket re-selling website Viagogo for possible breaches of WA’s anti-scalping laws and is alerting WA ticket buyers.

Finding the right mechanic to fix or service your car can be a daunting prospect, as some consumers may worry about being overcharged or even quoted for work that’s not needed.

There’s also the risk that if the vehicle repairer doesn’t do the job properly, they could be putting yourself, your passengers and other road-users at risk.

That’s why it’s important to do your homework before choosing a repairer, including asking for recommendations or searching for online reviews.

• Rockingham real estate agency and licensee fined a total of $23,000
• Inaccuracies in trust account records and tenancy bonds lodged too late
• Warning to agents to ensure trust account accuracy and timely bond lodgements

A Rockingham real estate agency and its licensee have been fined a total of $23,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for failing to lodge tenancy bonds with the Bond Administrator on time as well as several trust account violations.

As rents continue rising across Western Australia, many tenants are finding that in addition to paying more money to live in their home each week, there is an extra expense they need to consider.

After rent is increased at a property, a landlord or property manager is entitled to ask the tenant to pay extra money towards their security bond.

• Puppies not delivered on agreed dates and deposits not returned
• Seven WA consumers still waiting for their money back after cancelling orders
• Consumers urged to buy existing puppies and not rely on breeding programs

A consumer alert has been issued relating to the failure of a dog breeder to deliver within an agreed time and provide refunds requested by numerous customers.

Moving house is widely considered to be one of life’s most stressful events, so we always urge consumers to choose their removalist carefully to avoid any extra drama on the day.

Consumer Protection has recently received a growing number of complaints about the conduct of removalists advertising on social media. Initially the trader quotes an hourly rate and requests a small deposit, however upon arrival they demand a large lump sum be paid up front with a promise to return any unused money once the job is complete.