Consumer Protection

24 November 2017

Another loss from a cyber-attack that intercepted a property sale transaction has triggered Consumer Protection to issue a renewed warning to buyers, sellers, tenants and agents in WA to be extra vigilant.

In the latest case, the buyer of a Karrinyup property lost $20,000 after cyber criminals sent an email purporting to be from his real estate agent requesting the deposit be paid into a bank account that was controlled by the scammers.

24 November 2017

Another loss from a cyber-attack that intercepted a property sale transaction has triggered Consumer Protection to issue a renewed warning to buyers, sellers, tenants and agents in WA to be extra vigilant.

In the latest case, the buyer of a Karrinyup property lost $20,000 after cyber criminals sent an email purporting to be from his real estate agent requesting the deposit be paid into a bank account that was controlled by the scammers.

24 November 2017

As summer approaches it’s time to consider if the pools and spas in rental properties conform to safety requirements. Pools and spas must be appropriately fenced according to the building laws enforced by local government and the residential tenancy laws.

The law requires that private swimming pools are secured by isolation fencing and have correct locking mechanisms on gates.

Consumer Protection has had a number of recent reports from sporting associations that have received an unsolicited invoice for payment for services that they have not ordered. 

Busy small businesses and associations can be susceptible to false billing and unsolicited invoice scams. In some cases these invoices may come from a legitimate business behaving unlawfully but many are just scams even if they have the appearance of coming from an official source. What is important to know is that you are NOT obliged to pay these invoices.

13 November 2017

A real estate sales representative has been permanently disqualified from ever holding a certificate of registration in WA and fined $1,500 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) after fabricating multiple purchase offers on four Perth properties.

Gayla Currie, who worked for Century 21 Max Comben real estate agency in Morley, was also ordered to pay costs of $1,200 in SAT orders published on 26 October 2017.

Refunds and returns sign sample

We are not required to provide a refund or replacement if you change your mind.

But you can choose a refund or exchange if an item has a major problem. This is when the item:

1 November 2017

With only two months remaining for the 2017 calendar year Consumer Protection reminds you to check your Compulsory Professional Development (CPD) points tally. 

If you have not obtained all of your 2017 points you should secure a place in the available courses now.  You risk missing out if you leave it to the last few weeks of the year to book. 

An audit of the completion of CPD points was carried out at the end of September which found that:

1 November 2017

With only two months remaining for the 2017 calendar year Consumer Protection reminds you to check your Compulsory Professional Development (CPD) points tally. 

If you have not obtained all of your 2017 points you should secure a place in the available courses now.  You risk missing out if you leave it to the last few weeks of the year to book. 

A CPD points audit carried out at the end of September has found that: