Consumer Protection

Winter has officially arrived and many of us have already dragged out the winter woollies, electric blankets and hot water bottles, so here is a timely reminder about using these products safely.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping said a number of winter warmer products may pose a safety risk if they are old, worn or not used properly.

“As with any product, but particularly products that could cause scalds or burns, consumers should always follow the user guide or instructions carefully,” Ms Chopping said.

With only a few months remaining on his agreed five year ban from working in the industry, a Tapping air conditioning salesman appears to be back in business with Consumer Protection receiving recent complaints.

A wide variety of investment scams have claimed 65 victims in WA so far this financial year with losses totalling $4,983,000 being reported to WA ScamNet at Consumer Protection.

The victims responded to cold callers, emails and enticing advertisements on social media making false claims of low risk and high returns. The bogus investments being offered included shares, foreign exchange, binary options and cryptocurrencies.

Consumers seeking mental health services are being warned about a North Fremantle man who is masquerading as a psychologist.

Tyson John Vacher, aka Dr John Vacher and trading as John Vacher Psychology, has been making false or misleading statements on his website jvpsychology (dot) com regarding his experience and qualifications.

Mr Vacher has stated on his website jvpsychology dot com that he is a member of the Australian Counsellors’ Association and has 10 years’ experience, neither of which is true.

Failing to lodge security bonds on time has resulted in a South Perth real estate agency and its director being fined a total of $5,000, following mediation in the State Administrative Tribunal.

MI Real Estate Pty Ltd, trading as Soco Realty, had accepted security bonds from three tenants in the southern suburbs, but failed to lodge them as soon as practicable, or within 14 days, as required by the Residential Tenancies Act.

Live stream scammers have targeted the Western Australian Consumer Protection Awards virtual event on Facebook prompting a warning from the consumer watchdog’s fraud prevention section WA ScamNet.

Due to COVID-19, the Consumer Protection Awards March 2020 in-person event was postponed and then cancelled, leading to a virtual Awards ceremony for the first time.

Commissioner Lanie Chopping says scammers who tried to hijack the live stream also tried to lure viewers away from other Facebook Live events being run by universities in Australia.

If you’re a Western Australian who loves to travel, then odds are high you’ve had a trip cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Hopefully your refund or remedy was sorted quickly, but if not, you’re certainly not alone. Complaints to Consumer Protection were five times higher in the period from March 1 2020 until now, compared with the same period last year.

Of the 625 travel-related complaints received, more than half were from consumers seeking refunds that were either denied or were offered credit notes instead.

A 53 year old Applecross man was fined $4,500 by the Perth Magistrates Court on 24 July 2020 after pleading guilty to buying and selling 52 motor vehicles without a licence.

The man, who was granted a spent conviction, had traded the vehicles between May 2018 and November 2019 in most cases using Gumtree. Not having a licence for this level of trading breaches the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping said the campaign to stop backyard sellers was ongoing.

If you’ve seen an advert promising big returns on an investment in shipping containers, then our advice is to consider whether it may be a scam or Ponzi scheme.

WA ScamNet is aware of $800,000 of losses in Western Australia so far to a venture called Pacific Tycoon, which advertises investments in shipping containers and promises returns of up to 20 per cent when they lease it out on your behalf.  

The scheme is predicted to be successful because cargo shipment companies regularly have urgent requirements for extra containers and will pay premium prices.

A winter warning for consumers looking to have their fireplaces cleaned – stay away from a chimney sweep who takes your money but then wanders off without finishing or even starting the job.

Neil Michael Cole, formerly of Gidgegannup but now believed to be living in the Bunbury area and trading as The Wandering Chimney Sweep, has been advertising his services on Facebook Marketplace. On six occasions since September 2018 he has taken deposits from consumers as well as one full payment, but has failed to either commence or complete the work.