Commissioner's blog: FuelWatch keeps dollars in your bank, not in your tank

With fuel prices recently hitting record-highs and Perth’s petrol price cycle changing from weekly to fortnightly, it’s a particularly important time for consumers to have the information they need to save money at the bowser.

That’s where our free FuelWatch service can help, with a revamped website containing interactive mapping features that makes it quick and easy for WA motorists to find the best deal.

McGowan Government to reform WA tow truck industry

  • Strong community support for reforming the tow truck industry to protect vulnerable traffic accident victims
  • Reforms include licensing of tow truck operators and criminal checks
  • Regulatory strategy to be developed to ensure a fair and safe towing industry in WA
  • Reform options to be presented to State Government for consideration by mid-2022 

The McGowan Government is reforming the tow truck industry in Western Australia to protect people involved in traffic accidents and combat bad behaviour and price gouging.

 

Clearer pricing to avoid confusion over funeral costs

  • Seeking feedback on proposed funeral pricing rules for WA
  • Price to be displayed upfront, clearer and more transparent for funeral organisers
  • Aim is to stamp out misleading practices at a distressing time for those who have lost a loved one

Confusion over the true cost of funerals will be targeted by proposed regulations being put forward by the McGowan Government as part of the current reform of funeral industry pricing practices.

 

Commissioner's blog: Checking out the checkout

If you’ve ever left a shop wondering whether you have been charged the right amount, then it’s worth knowing that price scanning is an area monitored by Consumer Protection.

Each week our team of compliance officers visit shops across the Perth metropolitan area to investigate whether prices advertised on store shelves match the amounts customers are charged when the goods are scanned at the checkout.

Known as ‘price scanning audits’, these checks are also done by our officers in country towns to ensure regional consumers are paying the advertised shelf price for goods.

Commissioner's Blog: Love hurts - romance scams on the rise

While there are many success stories of people who’ve met through apps, websites and social media, there are also numerous tales of scam victims left heartbroken and with a financial loss.

Sadly, dating and romance scams are on the rise in Australia. In WA last year, 85 victims reported losing $3 million to this type of scam, up from 72 victims losing $2.2 million dollars in 2020.

Commissioner's blog: Problems at your rental? Know your rights

Perth’s rental market might be tight right now, but that doesn’t mean tenants should accept living in a home that’s falling into disrepair, nor tolerate surprise visits by their landlords.

Unfortunately we have received an increased number of complaints about both scenarios. In 2021, Consumer Protection received 188 complaints relating to repair and maintenance issues and 29 complaints about unexpected visits, which are illegal.

Commissioner's blog: Have your say on faulty caravans

Caravan holidays are experiencing a resurgence in Western Australia, as ongoing travel restrictions have convinced us to spend more time exploring our own backyard.

If you’ve recently purchased a new recreational vehicle, hopefully you were able to hit the open-road with minimal fuss. But if not, you’re being urged to provide feedback on possible consumer law issues in the industry.