Consumer Protection

Consumer Protection regularly reminds consumers in Western Australia about their rights and the regulations in place to protect them, but what happens when you actually need to make a formal complaint about a retailer or business?

The first step in the process is always to approach the trader and attempt to get a remedy for the issue. We have a handy checklist on our website to guide you through the process, or you can call us for advice on 1300 30 40 54.

Baby bath aids such as plastic recliners, cradles or seats, have become increasingly popular with parents as they provide support for babies and young children in the bath.

But it is important to remember that they are not safety devices or a substitute for adult supervision and support. Children have drowned while using a bath aid as they can easily slip off and become submerged under water, tip over when the suction cups come loose or climb out.

These days, it pays to be extra vigilant on social media. Like-harvesting, or like-farming as it is also called, is a scam perpetuated throughout Facebook and features bogus pages designed to do nothing more than “harvest” your likes.

The content pulls at your heartstrings or offers big prizes leading you to like, share and comment. Recently, a fake Virgin Australia page offering a trip to Hawaii collected several hundred thousand likes this way before being shut down.

It’s only early November but many consumers are already searching for great deals as they plan for their Christmas and New Year celebrations yet, as always, it is a case of buyer beware especially when it comes to shopping online.

This year our WA ScamNet team has received reports about fake websites selling everything from toys to barbecues and outboard motors. Buyers pay for the items which are then never delivered.

Another scam to watch out for during this busy shopping period involves messages claiming that you have a package waiting to be delivered.

Many of us have fond memories of splashing around in a portable pool as a child and, as the weather warms up, we’ve launched a campaign to remind parents and carers to make these pools safe.

Portable pools – ranging from small blow-up or plastic paddling or kiddie pools to bigger wading pools, inflatable spas or high-sided flexible plastic pools on a frame – can be popular in summer as a cheap alternative to below-ground pools but they are just as dangerous.

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard

Consumer Protection is reminding Western Australians how important it is to use licensed repairers to service or fix cars.

Backyard or bush mechanics operate in WA and even though Consumer Protection aims to identify them and stop them, the community can help by always choosing licensed repairers, to protect themselves and their vehicles.

A Balga man has been fined $4,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court on 5 July 2019 after pleading guilty to operating a large car dealing operation without a licence.

Wesam Mohammed had bought and sold more than 80 vehicles from June 2017 to August 2018. He was also ordered to pay $426 in costs.

In considering the penalty, Magistrate Young took into account the guilty plea and the fact that Mr Mohammed now has a licence, but said it was important the Court impose a penalty to ensure a culture of compliance in the community.

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard

Perhaps it’s the recent cold weather or maybe use of tax refunds but many Western Australians seem to be booking trips to tropical destinations – Consumer Protection has seen an increase in complaints from holiday-buyers.

One example involves purchases of discount return flights – Perth to Bali for as low as $99 – via a travel agent on Facebook. Despite paying, consumers were not able to get seats on a plane for their desired dates and were asked to cough up more money. We are inviting complaints.

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillard

Ever forgotten to pick up your clothes from the dry cleaner? Or maybe you’ve left your camping gear at a site and never bothered to make the trip back to collect it?