Consumer Protection

• Mother’s Day online shoppers warned to be on alert for fake websites and scams
• Consumers urged to know their rights if gifts are faulty or they’ve been misled
• A reminder that gift cards now have a three-year minimum expiry limit

Consumer Protection is encouraging shoppers to be diligent when looking for Mother’s Day gifts, particularly online.

Consumers who increasingly rely on internet shopping for convenience and choice are being warned to be on alert for scams.

• Agency fined $6,000 and Director fined $4,000 for code of conduct violations
• Agency Director was also Director of a recommended maintenance company
• Agents reminded to always act in the best interests of their clients

A Canning Vale real estate agency has been fined by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to act in the best interests of five of its clients in relation to property maintenance recommendations and arrangements.

Unsolicited sellers come in all shapes and sizes, trying to grab your attention to buy or sign up for their products or services.

• Albany real estate sales representative convicted of misleading a property buyer
• Told buyer she could move into a unit declared non-habitable
• Buyers urged to make own enquiries if in doubt about council approvals 

Wrongly telling a homebuyer she could live in a dwelling that had been deemed ‘non-habitable’ by local government authorities has seen a former real estate sales representative convicted and penalised nearly $5,300 following action by Consumer Protection.

• Albany real estate sales representative convicted of misleading a property buyer
• Told buyer she could move into a unit declared non-habitable
• Buyers urged to make own enquiries if in doubt about council approvals 

Wrongly telling a homebuyer she could live in a dwelling that had been deemed ‘non-habitable’ by local government authorities has seen a former real estate sales representative convicted and penalised nearly $5,300 following action by Consumer Protection.

• Safety warning for parents about the dangers of eRideables
• Quarter of drowning deaths in young children occurred in a pool in 2022-23
• Trampolines and Christmas presents with button batteries can be hazardous

With the warm weather here already, Consumer Protection has some timely safety tips for families to enjoy a safe summer.

A fun way for kids to zip around outdoors is on a motorised scooter, but it is important to remember these devices are not toys and can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

• Devastating Mariginiup bushfire a likely target for callous scammers
• Donors urged to be wary of fake websites and bogus social media posts
• Advice to only donate via Lord Mayor’s Distress Fund or licensed charities

Kind-hearted Western Australians looking to donate to the victims of the Mariginiup bushfire are being warned by Consumer Protection to be wary of scammers who may set up fake charity fundraisers.

• Scammers steal nearly $400,000 from WA online shoppers so far in 2023
• Check delivery timeframes for online items to avoid missing Christmas deadline
• 33 extra trading hours approved to make Christmas shopping more convenient

Online shoppers are urged to be on high alert for scams and to remember their consumer rights in the lead up to major retail events like the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day sales.

• Distressed consumers are being misled following accidents
• 55 complaints against Specialized Tilt Tray and Towing Services in 17 months
• Non-disclosure agreements may contain unfair contract terms

Consumer Protection is warning consumers about a tow truck company believed to be misleading consumers and then asking them to sign non-disclosure agreements to have their vehicle released from their holding yard.

• Travelling conmen target WA consumers as part of international based scam
• Thirty-one reports in nine months totalling payments of over $264,000
• Commissioner for Consumer Protection says avoid these scam con artists who leave you with dodgy work

Consumer Protection is warning WA home and business owners to avoid dealing with at least eight road construction companies currently travelling around the state that offer to re-surface bitumen driveways and car parks for seemingly attractive prices, only to leave terrible bitumen work behind, in worse shape than bef