Consumer Protection

• Late or no deliveries of flowers and gifts may be a major issue for consumers
• Keep photos and receipts of online purchases as proof
• Check online reviews before making your purchase.

Flowers and gifts that don’t arrive in time or arrive but are not what was ordered, are the main consumer issues that can dampen the love this Valentine’s Day (14 February).

Shoppers are being advised to seek delivery guarantees so that the flowers or gifts will arrive in time for the special day, especially if ordering online.

 

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection Penny Lipscombe  

• Thornlie couple lose their home purchase savings in a payment redirection scam
• Settlement agent’s email used by scammers looked almost the same
• Property buyers and sellers should be suspicious of payment demands by email

A Thornlie couple’s dream of buying their first home in Australia has been shattered after scammers stole almost $133,000 after cloning the settlement agent’s email address.

Costco’s fuel outlet at Perth Airport offered motorists the cheapest petrol in 2020 with FuelWatch, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary, releasing its annual list of sites that consistently have bargain prices.

On average, the Costco price for ULP was 95.1 cents per litre (cpl) over the year but is only available to members, so FuelWatch has also awarded the number one spot to Liberty at Gosnells, open to the general public, with an annual ULP average of 102.9 cpl.

The growing number of complaints against a Melbourne-based furniture removalist that operates nationally has sparked concern with a public warning being issued by Consumer Protection.

The warning relates to Ajanvi Pty Ltd, trading as My Moovers and operating the website www.mymoovers.com.au, which has attracted complaints from 47 consumers in WA so far this year. The warning relates only to this specific business entity, and not to any other business with a similar sounding name.

A property manager employed by a Mandurah real estate agency has been fined $6,000 and ordered to pay $400 costs by the Mandurah Magistrates Court for taking money from the agency’s trust account for her own purposes.

Kylie Jo-Anne Thomas was convicted on 8 December 2020 of making unauthorised withdrawals from the trust account in breach of the Real Estate and Business Agents Act.

A holiday safety consumer alert has been issued by Consumer Protection following the recent tragic death of a two-year-old girl who was strangled by a blind cord at her home on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast last month.

With children spending more time at home over the summer holiday season, the young child’s death is a grim reminder that parents and carers must be vigilant to the dangers in the home or, if going away, in the holiday accommodation.

Consumers buying e-scooters or e-skateboards as Christmas gifts this year are being urged to consider the safety and road rules relating to these products before purchasing.

The growing popularity of what are referred to as ‘personal mobility devices’ is leading to a growing need for these devices to be used safely, especially in the wake of the death of a 24 year old man who fell from an electric skateboard in Carnarvon last week.

• Reports of Mr John Quigley’s stolen image used in attempted scam
• Emails feature link to fake website using Mr Quigley’s name and image
• Recipients warned about beneficiary scams and advised to ignore emails

Scammers have stolen the identity of WA’s Attorney-General John Quigley as part of a beneficiary scam and to set up a fake website.

Building and Energy and Consumer Protection have joined forces to warn parents and retailers about the risks and rules when using and selling portable pools this summer.

Building and Energy oversees WA’s swimming pool safety barrier standards, which are enforced by local governments, while Consumer Protection regulates product safety.

On average, one child a year drowns in a portable pool in Australia and many more non-fatal incidents result in hospitalisation and long-term injuries. The most at-risk age group is under five.