Consumer Protection

• Domain name versions without .com, .net, .org etc. will soon be publicly available
• Businesses and organisations urged to register the .au only version of their name
• Failing to register .au versions could result in identity theft and financial loss

Businesses and organisations are urged to take urgent action on planned domain name changes to prevent the possibility of their corporate identity being stolen and their contacts being scammed.

• High complaint numbers prompt reminder to research solar installers
• Issues involve poor quality parts, installers not using due care and skill
• Some complaints about companies that have gone out of business

WA consumers looking to install home solar energy systems are urged to select their installers carefully, following a high number of complaints reported to Consumer Protection.

A motor vehicle might have many owners over its lifetime, so one of the most important things you can do when buying a used car is to thoroughly investigate its history.

Unlike ‘statutory’ write-offs which can only be used for spare parts, it is legal for ‘repairable’ write-offs to be registered and sold in Western Australia, so long as these vehicles have passed a safety inspection.

The Supreme Court has overturned the acquittal of a Perth tree lopper and convicted him on six charges of breaking consumer law related to an unsolicited sale after a successful appeal by Consumer Protection.

Sean Robert Weinthal, who at the time of the offences was operating under the business name West Coast Trees, was acquitted of the charges by the Perth Magistrates Court in June 2019 but this was overturned on appeal by the Supreme Court on 30 April 2020. He will be sentenced on 13 July 2020.

• Online retailer attracts more than 100 WA complaints with $27,000 owing
• Many products not being delivered and refunds not being provided
• Warning not to purchase goods from this website with huge backlog of orders

Consumer Protection in WA is raising the alarm about a national online retailer that has attracted a large number of complaints relating to non-delivery of goods and failing to provide refunds.

• Aircon business fined $15,000 for failing to supply to three consumers
• Clients owed a total of $15,780 in deposit money not yet returned
• Consumer Protection warns against paying large deposits upfront

A Langford air conditioning business operator has been fined $15,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court for accepting large deposits from three consumers but failing to install the systems, despite numerous empty promises.

It may be a familiar scenario for some shoppers – you spot an advert for a product at a very attractive sale price and place an order, but it’s later cancelled by the retailer claiming the item is ‘out-of-stock.’

Consumers may be left wondering whether the business is obliged to honour the discounted price, regardless of whether the item had genuinely sold-out or if a mistake had been made during the advertising process.

• Unlicensed motor vehicle repairer to pay $3,000 fine and $418 in costs
• Repairer ignored four warnings to re-apply after his licence expired
• Licensing laws important to maintain high industry standards in WA

A Bayswater motor vehicle restorer and repairer who ignored several warnings about operating without a licence has been fined $3,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court.

Mould or dampness around a home can pose a health risk and should be removed as soon as it’s noticed, yet complaints about mould in rental properties have risen.

Mould is a fungal growth that thrives on moisture. It can exacerbate health problems like asthma, respiratory infections and rashes, cause unpleasant smells, damage to buildings or contents and lead to expensive repairs.  

• Fake social media ads use stolen images of legitimate rental properties
• Desperate people looking for rentals vulnerable to falling victim
• $41,000 lost to rental scams already this year, exceeding last year’s total

People eager to secure a rental property amid WA’s tight market are falling victim to scammers using social media accounts to post fake ‘to let’ ads.