Consumer Protection

• Record scam losses of $16 million in 2022 impact record number of victims
• Almost half of all WA scam victims last year fell for online shopping or trading scams
• People chasing high investment returns or looking for love lost the most money
• Western Australians urged to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams

Scam losses and the number of reports and victims in Western Australia broke records in 2022, with 1,203 people losing a combined $15,988,513 - a seven per cent increase on 2021's record losses.

• Guests claim the hotel incorrectly retains their security bonds
• 17 consumer complaints against the hotel and its proprietor remain unresolved
• Consumers advised to consider this alert before making a booking

Consumer Protection is raising a consumer alert about a Perth hotel proprietor who allegedly incorrectly retains security bond payments from guests, either wholly or partially.

• Scammers have set up fake Instagram account leedal_foundation_limited
• The real Leedal Foundation Limited is raising funds for flood victims in Fitzoy Crossing on their Facebook fundraiser page
• Consumers urged to only donate to licensed charities or official fundraisers and not to respond to private messages  

Consumer Protection is warning consumers about scammers who are posing as a legitimate registered charity in Fitzroy Crossing, and using a fake Instagram account - leedal_foundation_limited - asking donors to buy Amazon ecards.

• Unlicensed motor vehicle dealer to pay $5,000 fine and $638 in costs
• 36 vehicles were sold between January and November 2021
• Consumers urged to report unlicensed motor vehicle dealers  

A Beechboro man has been fined $5,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court for buying and selling motor vehicles without a valid motor vehicle dealer licence.

Van Vinh Tran was also ordered to pay costs of $638 when convicted on 6 January 2023 of breaching the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA).

• Real estate agent and his company fined a total of $6,500
• Multiple unauthorised withdrawals from trust account over four months
• The money of the agency’s clients put at risk by violations of the law

A Magistrate has told a former real estate agent that his clients’ money was put at risk by multiple unauthorised withdrawals from his agency’s trust account.

• High number of complaints and enquiries about extended warranties on new cars
• Similar issues reported on new whitegoods and electronics
• Shoppers reminded that guarantees under Australian Consumer Law are free

As the busy Christmas shopping period approaches, Consumer Protection is urging Western Australians to avoid buying extended warranties on new products such as cars, whitegoods and electronics.

As living costs rise, many tenants may find themselves in a difficult financial position and struggle to pay rent.

We urge tenants who miss (or expect to miss) a rental payment to explain their situation to their landlord or real estate agent as soon as possible to hopefully avoid stressful breach notices, potential court action and even eviction.

A landlord might agree to a rent reduction for a period of time, waive a payment or agree to defer payment over a longer timeframe while you get back on your feet. 

• WA losses to the shipping container scam escalate to $375,000 so far this year
• Fake websites selling containers are promoted via online classified ad sites
• Sharp increase in losses alarms Consumer Protection, another warning issued

Losses to shipping container scams in WA have escalated to a total of $375,000 so far this year, prompting a renewed urgent warning.

• Exploding gunpowder used in a cap gun causes serious hand injury
• High Wycombe boy is being treated for second degree burns
• General warning about Halloween novelty items that may pose hazards

Consumer Protection is investigating a Halloween-related incident involving exploding gunpowder that has caused a serious injury to a Perth boy’s hand.

The 11 year old boy was opening a packet of ring caps to load into his cap gun when several of the capsules exploded, causing second degree burns to his right hand. He was taken to hospital for treatment.

• 60 complaints received from unhappy and concerned Perth consumers
• Issues include excessive pricing, misleading advice and poor quality of work
• Seek out multiple quotes and check the person is licensed to do the work

Consumers are being cautioned by Consumer Protection and Building and Energy to make a wise choice when engaging plumbing services, with a high number of complaints and enquiries being received against a few rogue operators in Perth.