Consumer Protection

• 14 further complaints received after first public warning issued last year.
• Consumers now claim to be owed a total of $62,000 for incomplete or no work.
• Warning not to do business with the air conditioning installer and custom trailer builder.

Despite a public warning being issued last year, a Perth air conditioning installer and builder of custom vehicle trailers continues to attract more consumer complaints for failing to begin or complete his work and not carrying out repairs.

• Fans hoping to still buy tickets to UFC event urged to be vigilant to scams
• Tickets sold in violation of ticket scalping laws could be cancelled and entry refused  
• Some ads re-selling tickets illegally have already been taken down

Fans who are desperate to attend the sold out Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC 284) event at Perth’s RAC Arena on Sunday night (12 February 2023) are being cautioned about buying last-minute second-hand tickets online.

• 67 victims reported losing almost $3 million to romance scams in WA in 2022
• Don’t transfer money or give your bank account details to someone you haven’t met in person
• Assume people you speak with online are scammers 

This Valentine’s Day (14 February), don’t open your heart up to scammers targeting vulnerable victims looking for love online.

Romance and dating scams are on the rise, with scammers using a broader range of communication methods to lure victims in, including social media, dating sites and even over the phone.

WA ScamNet has released a 2022 scam report, with 1,203 people reporting combined losses of $15,988,513 - a seven per cent increase on 2021’s recorded losses and recorded amount of victims.

The report reveals online shopping and classified scams claimed the most victims.

274 online shoppers lost a total of $876,774, with 270 buyers and sellers on classified sites losing a total of $564,680 - likely due to COVID-19 reaching its peak in WA and the need to isolate at home.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

• Mt Lawley property manager illegally accessed agency trust account seven times
• Redirected money into own bank account to spend on dining and leisure     
• Payments to former tenants, a carpentry business and insurer were targeted

A former property manager who illegally diverted money intended for tenants, a carpentry business and an insurance company into her own company's bank account has been penalised $10,577.34 by the Perth Magistrates Court.

• Over a quarter of child drowning deaths occurred at home
• Safety warning for parents about eRideable hazards
• Trampolines and Christmas presents with button batteries can be dangerous

Summer is upon us again, so Consumer Protection has some timely safety tips for families to enjoy the warm weather.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

Buying a property “off-the-plan” is like investing in a concept. There’s usually the flashy billboard and glossy brochures selling you a certain lifestyle.

The developer could be selling house and land packages, apartments or townhouses but these are often subject to approvals and securing enough funding to even start building.

Keep in mind, while attractive, these developments are particularly risky.

• WA’s ticket scalping laws catch up to man in Perth Magistrates Court
• Advertised UFC 284 ticket for up to $1,895 more than allowed
• First prosecution after man chose court over paying infringement 

A Perth man who tried to resell a ticket to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 284 match for up to 77 per cent more than the original price has been ordered to pay a total of $2,756.25 by the Perth Magistrates Court.