Consumer Protection

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.

• 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.

• Investment, particularly cryptocurrency, scams make up almost half of losses in 2022
• $4.1 million dollars were conned out of 71 WA investors so far this year
• Potential investors urged to first seek professional advice from a licensed advisor

Investment scams mostly involving cryptocurrencies are driving a surge in losses reported by WA victims to record levels in 2022.

• The two rental applicants received fake emails saying they were successful
• Payments to secure the property were sent to the scammers’ bank account
• Potential tenants are left out of pocket and without rental accommodation

Two people searching for a rental have lost a total of $23,500 after scammers appeared to have hacked into a Perth western suburbs’ real estate agency’s email account.

• Affected passengers are entitled to a refund if replacement flight not acceptable
• Compensation can be claimed for alternative bookings in some circumstances
• 193 travel complaints lodged with Consumer Protection so far this year

Consumer Protection is reminding WA consumers about their rights when impacted by the current wave of domestic and international flight cancellations or long delays.

Some Western Australians may be worrying about keeping a roof over their heads, as competition continues to remain high for rental properties right across the state.

Consumer Protection has been fielding enquiries from tenants who have received eviction notices because their landlord plans to sell the home in order to cash-in on rising property prices. Some tenants are also facing the prospect of unemployment, which is adding to the distress that an eviction may cause.

Keeping your wits about you following a car accident or breakdown is not always easy – you may be in shock, the traffic behind you is probably piling up and your vehicle needs to be moved off the road to somewhere safe. 

The last thing any motorist needs in a stressful situation like this is to be threatened, misled or harassed by unscrupulous tow-truck drivers looking to get their business.

• 44 WA consumers have lost almost $90,000 in pet scams so far in 2022
• Scammers exploit emotional attachment to their fake images and videos
• Advice to shop locally and physically inspect the pet before paying

Images of cute puppies and kittens are being used by scammers to lure their victims into paying thousands of dollars for a pet that doesn’t exist and the consumer losses are substantial.

• Know your consumer rights before shopping for Mother’s Day gifts
• Don’t be fooled by ‘was/now’ advertising, make sure discounts are genuine
• Most gift cards have a minimum three year expiry date

Consumer Protection is reminding shoppers of their rights to help them find the best gift for Mother’s Day.

Executive Director for Consumer Protection Trish Blake is encouraging online or in-store shoppers to research their options before deciding to buy.

• Unauthorised withdrawal of a $50,000 deposit after business sale settlement
• Business broker and his company fined a total of $7,000 plus $1,000 in costs
• Warning that violations of trust account laws will not be tolerated

A West Perth business sales agent and his company have been fined by the State Administrative Tribunal after making an unauthorised $50,000 withdrawal from the agency’s trust account.