Consumer Protection

• Rogue elements in industry exaggerate necessity for extra work and costs
• Consumers urged to get multiple quotes to avoid paying too much
• Do research to find licensed tradies offering sound advice and a fair price

WA consumers who get quotes from companies that offer both plumbing and electrical services are being urged to get multiple quotes before signing a contract in order to avoid paying too much for what may be unnecessary work.

• Travelling conmen offering to resurface bitumen driveways and car parks
• Work is usually sub-standard or incomplete and at an inflated price
• Warning to resist high pressure sales tactics and shop around

A warning from Consumer Protection that ‘Bitumen Bandits’ are operating in WA’s South-West following reports that they are approaching local businesses in the area.

• Warning to be aware of bogus calls claiming to be from government agencies
• Resist threats from scammers to pay a fake debt
• Hang up on these calls and contact government agency directly to verify

A plea from Consumer Protection for people to be aware of the various tax scams has been prompted by figures which show a large increase in losses suffered by WA victims.

If you’ve ever tried to compare health insurance or hotels to find the best deal, you will have likely encountered a commercial comparison site.

While these services can be a useful tool, it’s important to make sure you know how these sites work before relying on a comparison to choose a service provider.

Consumer Protection has received a higher number of enquiries and complaints about comparison sites in the past 12 months, mostly to do with COVID-19 related travel cancellations and people wanting refunds instead of vouchers or credits.

• Encroachment of a garage into neighbouring property not disclosed before sale
• Agent told about the issue during appraisal but forgot about it
• Warning to agents to improve efforts to discover and disclose facts

Failing to disclose an encroachment issue prior to the sale of a Nedlands home has resulted in a real estate agency and its former Director being fined a total of $13,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal.

• Sales rep failed to carry out checks that would have revealed sewer lines
• Land buyer forced to modify their building plans as a result of the late discovery
• Employer failed to be more thorough in their review of the matter

A real estate sales representative and the Mt Lawley agency he works for have been fined a total of $9,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to uncover the existence of two sewer lines on a block of land prior to the execution of a contract to purchase the property, resulting in the buyer being unaware of this material fa

• Rivervale man fined $4,000 for dealing more than 40 vehicles with no licence
• Magistrate says licensing important for safety and protection of consumers
• Consumer Protection urges the community to report any illegal sales

A Magistrate has reminded the community that the licensing of motor vehicle dealers in WA is “not just red tape” as he fined a Rivervale man $4,000 for illegal sales while being unlicensed.

• Candice Evans to lead the team in Consumer Protection’s Geraldton office
• Her experience in helping tenants will be useful in new role
• Consumer Protection’s presence in the region increases ability to deal with local issues

Consumer Protection has appointed a new senior regional officer to service the region which covers Geraldton and an area as far as Carnarvon, the northern Wheatbelt around Moora and remote communities such as Wiluna to the east.

• Bedrooms by Aura and Simone Lockett fined $15,000 for failing to deliver
• Court orders six consumers be paid about $36,000 in compensation
• Affected consumers from around Australia ordered items online and via Facebook

A Perth retailer of luxury designer furniture has been ordered to pay a total of $47,387.91 by the Perth Magistrates Court being a fine, costs and compensation after taking payments from consumers but, in most cases, not delivering the goods.

• Banned from holding or obtaining a licence in the motor vehicle industry
• Ordered not to be involved with a motor vehicle business
• Imprisoned for stealing $181,250 from three other dealers

A Cloverdale motor vehicle dealer who was imprisoned after being convicted of stealing has been disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT).