Consumer Protection is warning the real estate and settlement industries to be extra vigilant to calls from their bank after scammers successfully stole $329,500 from a WA real estate agent’s trust account last week.
A swimming pool fibreglass repairer has been fined by the Perth Magistrates Court for breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) by taking deposits from three consumers and failing to supply goods and services within a reasonable time.
43 per cent of inspected products containing button batteries failed to meet product safety standards in Western Australia since mandatory button battery laws came into effect last year.
It’s a familiar scenario for many shoppers – you’re about to pay for a new car or appliance, then the salesperson tries to ‘upsell’ you with an extended warranty for things that may go wrong after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.
As the end of financial year sales roll around, we want consumers to seriously question whether buying this type of insurance policy means paying for rights they already have for free under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
Everyone has the right to privacy in their own homes, and those living in rental properties across Western Australia are certainly no exception.
Claims of private landlords and property managers arriving unannounced for inspections, maintenance and rent collection are fairly common issues reported to Consumer Protection – in the past two years, our team has fielded 177 enquiries and 36 complaints from tenants on this front.
The search is on for outstanding individuals, organisations, groups and the media who advocate for and promote consumer rights in WA, with nominations open for the prestigious 20th anniversary Consumer Protection Awards.
Many shoppers like to ‘tap-and-go’ when paying for purchases, while others like to hand-over cash, but one thing all consumers have in common is the right to receive a receipt if they want one.
Consumer Protection was concerned recently to hear claims that a retailer in WA had denied a consumer’s request for a paper receipt, citing ‘company policy’ and pointing them to their own bank statement for proof of purchase.
Western Australians who have made financial donations to charities in the last 10 years or more are being urged to beware of scams following reports of a major data breach of a telemarketing company holding donor information from Australian charity organisations.
Many consumers don’t have the time or patience to read the long lists of terms and conditions that often accompany the products and services they buy, but at least they can take comfort knowing they will soon be better-protected if any of those contracts are not fair.
That’s because the Australian Consumer Law has recently been amended to introduce penalties for businesses that present contracts containing unfair terms.
Western Australian seniors are being targeted by scammers through a fake WA Seniors Card website requesting money and multiple forms of personal identification.
