Consumer Protection

If you’ve been looking to buy a shipping container for storage, transport or even to live in, it’s important to watch-out for scammers making leaky promises.

WA ScamNet at Consumer Protection is aware of ten victims who have lost $35,500 after they responded to online adverts for discounted shipping containers and transferred money to several websites that turned out to be fake.

The victims were even provided with ABN information of legitimate businesses, before being asked to pay for the container via bank transfer.

With ghoulish costumes, sweet treats galore and frightfully fun decorations, Halloween has become increasingly popular in Australia over the last decade.

So if you’re planning some Halloween fun with your family on 31 October, there are some things you can do to prevent it turning into Halloween hell.

There’s a vast army of people in the Western Australian community dedicating their lives to helping consumers and tenants, and now is a golden opportunity for them to shine.

With nominations currently open for the Consumer Protection Awards 2022, I would urge advocates and promoters of consumer rights to step forward and lodge an online application before the closing date.

Consumer Protection is warning Western Australians not to deal with Gerardus (Gerry) Hermanus Jorissen who has sent at least $200,000 of other people’s money to overseas criminals under the guise of an investment scheme.

Mr Jorissen who lives in Moora, came to the attention of authorities in 2013 as a possible fraud victim identified by Project Sunbird – an anti-fraud initiative run collaboratively by WA Police Major Fraud Squad and Consumer Protection.

• Rent support or rent arrears grants on offer
• Scheme which has already supported thousands of tenants extended until December 31, 2021
• Previous applicants can apply again 

The McGowan Government has extended the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme (RRRGS) to continue to assist tenants facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 to pay their rent.

Owing money and missing repayments can be stressful, so the last thing many people in financial difficulty need is to be charged more money for help getting their debt under control.

That’s why Consumer Protection urges consumers to choose free debt management advice where possible over other high-cost options.

While debt management service companies may claim to be able to fix debt problems, these businesses charge fees and may not always be able to resolve the issues.

• Gary Newcombe returns to Commissioner's role
• Brings 40 years' experience working in the Commonwealth and State public sectors, and for the Western Australian Parliament

Gary Newcombe has taken the baton to become Western Australia's new Commissioner for Consumer Protection.

He replaces Lanie Chopping, who has been appointed as interim Director General for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Your wedding can be one of the happiest days of your life, but it may also end up being one of the most expensive.

Covering the costs of all the things you need, such as a venue, catering, outfits and equipment hire, can soon add up – so it’s important to be across your consumer rights before you start shopping around.

With more than 9,500 weddings taking place in Western Australia last year, there are times when things don’t go exactly to plan.

Christmas may be a time for giving, but there’s one type of person you wouldn’t want to reward with a free gift this festive season – a scammer.  

Unfortunately that has been the outcome for about 200 Western Australians so far in 2021, who reported to WA ScamNet that they had been tricked out of almost $700,000 while shopping online.

The fake websites and social media pages have pretended to sell everything from barbecues to motorhomes, but consumers never received the items, nor saw their money again.

As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to cast a shadow over our lives, there may be some Western Australians who are still struggling to stay afloat financially due to job losses or having their work hours reduced.

Renters who are unemployed, or who have lost more than half their income, should know that the State Government’s Residential Rent Relief Grant scheme will now remain open until the end of the year.