Unlicensed real estate agent ‘should have known better’

  • Woman found guilty of representing herself as a real estate agent
  • Complaint to Consumer Protection uncovered illegal activity
  • Unlicensed operators undermine professional standards of the industry

 

An unlicensed real estate agent, who stopped paying rental income to her client, was convicted and ordered to pay more than $5,500 by the Joondalup Magistrates Court.

Record year for WA cybercrime as Facebook scams surge

  • WA ScamNet Year in Review report released
  • Scammers steal record $22 million from Western Australians in 2023
  • Facebook cons drive higher reporting numbers, up 62 per cent
  • Artificial intelligence scams an emerging issue for this year and beyond 

The release of the WA ScamNet Year in Review report has revealed that scam records were shattered last year with 1,398 Western Australians victims reportedly fleeced of $21,995,489 in 2023, up 36 per cent from 2022.

Don’t sweat it! How your fitness journey is protected by WA law

How’s that new year fitness resolution going? Maybe the January eagerness to get to the gym has worn off or you’re nearing the end of a 12-week fitness challenge and you’re feeling the pressure to sign up for another one.

The good news is, no matter what you decide to do with your fitness goals, you are protected by Western Australian law when it comes to using fitness service providers.

Commissioner's Blog: Living by the law - what you need to know before share housing

Splitting a rental with mates or even people you find through an advert can be a smart way to tackle soaring rent prices and low vacancy rates. But before you start dividing up chores and discussing furniture options, it’s important to understand your legal rights and responsibilities when it comes to share house arrangements.

Commissioner's Blog: Click and wait – who’s responsible for delivery issues?

A lot of us love a bit of online shopping. The convenience and fast delivery times are all part of the lure. Online stores like Temu, Amazon and Shein are great for a bargain but who do you approach to get help when delivery is delayed or even worse… it never arrives?

 

Based on the complaints Consumer Protection receives, we know a lot of people believe they need to take delivery issues up with the courier service. But that is not always correct.

The online retailer is responsible. They are the ones who hold the contract with the courier service.

 

Cash is king… or is it?

“Businesses have to accept legal tender.” It’s a comment we hear a lot at Consumer Protection, so I wanted to take the opportunity to clear this up and let you know what the law says about it.

 

Businesses can choose which payment types they accept. It is legal for a business to specify the terms and conditions that they will supply goods and services. This includes whether they will accept cash payment.

 

Paver pays for taking money without doing work

 

  • Tradie from The Vines to pay $7,535 for accepting money and failing to deliver
  • Charged consumer 50 per cent deposit for paving work, but not refunded
  • Advice for consumers to only pay small deposits to reduce risk

 

A paver who took more than $2,500 from a customer and failed to undertake any work has been ordered to refund the money and pay a further $5,000 in fines and costs, following a prosecution by Consumer Protection.