Consumer Protection

Our lives are filled with devices powered by lithium-ion batteries – e-rideables, power tools, laptops, toys, smartphones, electric vehicles and even electric toothbrushes. Unfortunately, they also harbour a hidden danger. Lithium-ion batteries, no matter how small, are susceptible to fiery failures that can escalate quickly and pose a serious threat to our safety. These fires can be very difficult to extinguish with water and battery contents may reignite or explode several days later.

Gift cards might be considered a lazy gift… but you know what’s worse? Giving Mum a pressie she doesn’t like, want, or need for Mother’s Day. With her special day just around corner, Consumer Protection has some advice for you if you’re thinking about giving Mum a gift card or voucher to her favourite store or local business.

As the cost of living continues to pinch, most people are looking for ways to save a bit of money, but some businesses use sneaky tricks to make us spend more than intended.

Dark patterns are tactics used to nudge, manipulate or trick you into spending more than planned or providing personal data that isn’t needed.

These tactics can be used in many situations, but the place you will see them most often is on digital channels such as online platforms, shopping websites and apps.

Picture this – your car has been badly rear-ended in peak hour traffic and you shakily give your personal details to the first tow truck driver on the scene, who takes your car away. A few days later you receive a call from a lawyer who knows all about your car accident and tells you they can “help” you get a significant payout for your minor whiplash.

What you don’t know is that tow truck driver was looking to make some extra cash on the side and they sold your personal details to a law firm.

Unwanted calls and spam SMS can be a source of frustration. Whether it's persistent telemarketers interrupting your dinner or irrelevant promotional texts flooding your phone, there are ways to put a stop to them.

You may have forgotten about the Do Not Call register, which is a free service run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). You can register your home, personal mobile or fax number online via donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958. The good news is you only need to register once.

• Mandatory professional development to continue for WA real estate and settlement industries
• Ongoing education and training to maintain faith and confidence in industry participants
• Agents to administer and self-fund program

The Cook Government has again thrown its support behind mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for everyone employed in the real estate and settlement sectors to ensure high standards are maintained.

Buying or renting a residential property involves significant financial transactions which, increasingly, are targets for scammers.

Over the last 12 month, WA ScamNet received 129 complaints of real estate and rental scams that  left 74 West Australians almost one million dollars, in total, out of pocket.

Rental and real estate scammers try to trick you out of your money when you need to transfer payments or make deposits to banks, real estate & settlement agents or landlords.

• All short-term rental accommodation providers to be required to register properties
• New $10,000 incentive for property owners to transition existing short-term rental accommodation into long-term rental homes for Western Australians
• Reforms to provide consistency across the sector and clarity on what is required to operate a short-term rental accommodation property

The Cook Government has today announced new regulations for un-hosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) in Western Australia, along with an incentive aimed at returning some properties to

Decorative lights, electronic gifts and DIY projects are hallmarks of the festive season, prompting WA’s electrical safety regulator, Building and Energy, to share top tips for a safe summer.

Festive lights are a popular addition to homes at this time of year, but damaged or incorrectly used lights can cause electric shocks and fires. Consumers are urged to check that lights, cords and plugs are undamaged, untangled and working well, particularly if they have been in storage.