Consumer Protection

UPDATE 27/03/2019:

Consumer Protection has received about 90 calls/emails from consumers affected by the closure of Launch Film Productions, with funds at risk estimated at $450,000. Liquidator appointed is Katie Blyth, PricewaterhouseCoopers 9238 3000 - www.pwc.com.au 

Consumer Protection is investigating the closure of a Wangara wedding photography business which has alarmed many consumers concerned about receiving their photos and videos.

Consumer Protection and the WA Police Force are making a desperate plea to the community to help them hunt down travelling conmen who are ripping off Perth home owners, many of them seniors, in a roofing scam.

Reports have been received of conmen who knock on doors of unsuspecting home owners, convincing them that urgent roof repairs are required to their homes. They then charge exorbitant rates and either do not carry out the work or perform a sub-standard job.

Consumer Protection is warning landlords who manage their own rental properties in WA to comply with their legal requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act or face being prosecuted.

An illegal pyramid scheme has been uncovered that targets WA women and masquerades as a support network.

Two women, one from the South-West of WA, have contacted Consumer Protection reporting the activities of the pyramid scheme which is being promoted as a Gifting Mandala, prompting a warning for people not to get involved.

Two Perth seniors have lost money to scammers, claiming to be from the NBN or a telco, who have adopted tactics aimed at accessing their computers and bank accounts while preventing them from making calls to their family or their bank.

An 81 year old man received a call from someone claiming to be from the NBN and, as he had been connected to the NBN just the day before, he thought it was a genuine call. He was told there were infected files on his computer and they needed access it, so he followed their instructions.

A decorative alcohol-fuelled (ethanol) burner exploded in a suburban backyard in Perth’s southern suburbs at the weekend, prompting a reminder to consumers that certain table-top models have been banned.

The explosion on Saturday evening 27 April 2019 is believed to have been sparked by a burner being re-fuelled while still lit and injured four people, including a child, who were taken to hospital. The device was purchased about ten years ago prior to the ban being in place.

Consumer Protection and the WA Police Force are alarmed at the high number of incidents of home owners utilising the services of unlicensed security installers, and may be unknowingly inviting criminals into their home.

These possibly dodgy businesses and individuals advertise their services on websites such as Gumtree as well as on social media, offering to install alarm systems, CCTV cameras, security doors and locks, often at below market prices.

A photographic business that specialises in taking photos of new-born babies is the subject of a Consumer Protection public warning following complaints about unacceptable delays in supplying the images to parents.

Nine complaints have been lodged against Melissa Sheed Photography of Aubin Grove with some of the parents waiting for more than a year to receive the photos of their babies. The consumers paid at least $1,500 for a package of photos with delivery promised within three months.

Consumer Protection is warning the WA community not to deal with the seller of food vans and trailers who has accepted more than $70,000 from small business operators but has failed to supply them or provide refunds.

Cody Raymond Williams, sole Director of CLC Group Pty Ltd trading as CLC Fabrications (unregistered), has taken deposits and, in some cases, the full amount from six people who responded to advertisements on Gumtree.

A Malaysian international student studying in Perth has lost $13,782 to a phone scam after she was threatened with having her visa cancelled and being deported.

The scammers, pretending to be from the Immigration Department, cold-called her and demanded she pay the money immediately to avoid arrest, instructing her to pay by purchasing Google Play cards at Aldi supermarkets.