Consumer Protection

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow.

FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 17 September 2025), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 18 cents per litre (cpl) to 184.2 cpl with 7-Eleven and BP hiking up to 209.9 cpl; Ampol and Vibe up to 207.9 cpl; United up to 199.9 cpl; EG Ampol up to 193.9 cpl; and Shell Reddy Express up to 179.9 cpl.

• Joondanna sales rep banned for manipulating trust accounts over three years
• 42 unlawful payments totalling $270,000 made between 2021 and 2024
• Paid rent to owners despite tenant income not being received

A Joondanna sales representative has agreed to be permanently disqualified from working in the real estate industry after admitting to unlawfully manipulating agency trust accounts over a three-year period.

• Scammers burning consumers with fake events at Kings Park and Langley Park
• Sponsored social media ads spruiking tickets to non-existent sky lantern releases
• Sky lantern releases permanently banned in Australia due to fire and burns risk

Advertisements for fake sky lantern festivals at Kings Park and Langley Park are spreading across social media, prompting a warning for WA consumers to be on alert for scams and avoid buying tickets to events that do not exist.

Across the Western Australian community, countless individuals and organisations dedicate themselves to supporting and empowering consumers, whether through education, advocacy, promoting product safety, or driving change.

The search is on for outstanding WA individuals, organisations and groups who are strong advocates for consumer rights, with nominations now open for the prestigious Consumer Protection Awards.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow.

FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 10 September 2025), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 22 cents per litre (cpl) to 185.8 cpl with Ampol hiking up to 211.9 cpl; BP and EG Ampol up to 209.9 cpl; Vibe up to 205.7 cpl; Shell Reddy Express and United up to 203.9 cpl; and 7-Eleven up to 199.9 cpl.

Scrolling on Facebook and spotting a deal for cheap bulk meat delivered to your door might feel like a win, especially with the cost of groceries these days, but it could be a sinister trap.

Earlier this year the WA ScamNet team started hearing from people who paid for bargain-priced bulk meat packs advertised through fake butcher and “farm-to-table” profiles, only to find themselves blocked after sending money via bank transfer. The meat never turned up, and their cash was gone.

• Innaloo landscaper fined a second time for wrongly accepting payment
• Trent Caines of T&C Landscape Construction again took deposits, failed to deliver
• Ordered to pay $6,470, including fines and compensation

A repeat-offender landscaper has once again been penalised by the Perth Magistrates Court for taking upfront deposits from customers without delivering the promised work.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 3 September 2025), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 26 cents per litre (cpl) to 190.5 cpl with Shell Reddy Express hiking by up to 52 cpl up to 211.9 cpl; Vibe up to 211.7 cpl; 7-Eleven, Ampol, EG Ampol and BP up to 209.9 cpl; and United up to 203.9 cpl.

• Fake shipping container sites scamming WA buyers
• Over $84,000 lost so far in 2025 – nearing last year’s total
• Use secure payment methods and verify sellers before buying

Losses from shipping container scams are rising rapidly across WA in 2025, prompting an urgent warning for consumers to stay vigilant when buying online.

Consumer Protection’s WA ScamNet team has received 15 reports of shipping container scams in 2025, with 12 victims already losing $84,090 – nearly matching the full-year total of $93,493 reported by 18 victims in 2024.

Whether or not you want to admit it, Christmas will be here before you know it. To avoid a frantic rush to the shops, you might like to get your present shopping done early and maybe take advantage of a sale or two.

Instead of falling into a buy now pay later (BNPL) debt trap or paying interest on the credit card, have you considered using good old-fashioned lay-by?

When money is tight, lay-bys are a great budget-friendly option. For many households, it is also an easy way to manage larger or seasonal purchases without financial strain.