The number of consumer complaints relating to studio photography businesses has risen sharply in 2024, prompting Consumer Protection to issue a warning.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to rent out your empty property, this is it. The State Government will pay you $5,000 to bring your vacant house, apartment, villa or unit to the long-term rental market for West Aussies to lease.
There's a significant shortage of rental properties available in WA, leading to tough competition among renters. Leasing your empty property for at least 12 months provides a secure long-term home to tenants such as families, couples, retirees or regional workers.
A Perth CBD real estate agency has been fined and reprimanded by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to lodge nine security bonds worth $14,200 within the required timeframe, following action by Consumer Protection.
Consumer Protection is urging Western Australian families to avoid doing business with an au pair placement provider that has allegedly taken $37,219 from unhappy customers.
Behind the spotlight of gorgeous glamour shots, tender newborn photos and loving family portraits can be a dark reality. Unfortunately, some studio photography businesses behave like predators waiting to lure customers in with fake prizes, false promotions or “heavily discounted packages” that end up costing thousands.
Last year, Consumer Protection received eight complaints about studio photography businesses. With this number of complaints already received this year, the trend is concerning and a warning is needed to highlight the potential red flags.
Selling the wrong property to a buyer has resulted in a Kelmscott real estate agency accepting a reprimand and the payment of $7,000 in fines and costs following disciplinary action by Consumer Protection.
A former Director of an East Perth real estate agency has been ordered to pay a total of almost $4,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court for unlawfully transferring funds from the agency’s trust account that were later deposited into his personal accounts.
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.
The Perth Magistrates Court has imposed a $5,000 fine on a backyard motor vehicle dealer who operated without a licence for almost two years.
