Western Australians are being reminded about the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances following a recent tragedy that claimed the life of a one year old girl in Byford.
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.
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.
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.
Furniture can look like a playground to young eyes, which is why it is so important for parents and carers to be aware of the dangers and take steps to minimise the risks.
Toppling furniture and appliances kill an average of one child every year in Australia, with many others also suffering injuries, including brain damage and broken bones. Here in WA, a one-year-old girl tragically died when a chest of drawers fell on her late last year.
Many people have heard of the ‘yellow sticker’ defect notices used to take unroadworthy cars off our streets, but less well known are the ‘green stickers’ used by Consumer Protection to stop dodgy vehicles being sold at car-yards.
Automotive officers from Consumer Protection regularly carry out random inspections at dealerships and place green “Unfit for Sale” stickers on vehicles that have defects and are considered unsafe or unroadworthy.
Consumer Protection has raised the alarm over a business that supplies and installs sheds and patios after WA consumers claim $347,000 worth of goods and services were not supplied, or work not carried out.
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.
Consumer Protection is investigating ticket re-selling website Viagogo for possible breaches of WA’s anti-scalping laws and is alerting WA ticket buyers.
A growing number of victims in WA are falling for a text scam that targets parents who receive desperate messages for help from impostors pretending to be their son or daughter.
