Announcements

Showing 126 - 150 of 906 results

Scammers steal over $300,000 from real estate agent trust account

Real estate agent lost $329,500 to remote access bank scam Scammers posed as bank on phone and knew latest transactions in the account Agents urged to not give out access codes or allow remote access 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...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Jun 2023

Consumers fight back against Albany shed seller and win (Aussie Sheds Albany / Armand Javellana)

Aussie Sheds Albany owner found guilty of breaching ACL $158,853 worth of deposits paid for incomplete shed and patio works 11 consumers to receive full compensation An Albany shed seller who took large deposits from consumers between January 2020 and 25 July 2020 and failed to deliver goods and services in a reasonable timeframe has been found guilty of breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jun 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Battery disposal a burning issue

They come in all shapes and sizes to power many different devices, yet every battery has the potential to become a menace if they end up in your rubbish or recycling bin. Some batteries contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals and other pollutants that can contaminate water supplies when they enter landfill, while rechargeable lithium-ion batteries become fire hazards if they are damaged or crushed...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jun 2023

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today, motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 21 June 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 28 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Jun 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Leaving a rental home

When it comes time to move out of a rental property, knowing what’s involved in advance can help ensure things run more smoothly. How much notice to give depends on whether a fixed-term or periodic tenancy is being wound-up. Even though a fixed-term tenancy is for the period agreed in writing, it does not end automatically – notice must be given by either party 30 days’ before the expiry date, or...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 Jun 2023

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 14 June 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 28 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
13 Jun 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Clearer pricing rules for funerals

There’s nothing easy about losing a loved one, but we hope new WA laws will go a long way towards clearing up any confusion about what their final farewell will cost. Funeral companies must now publicly display their prices upfront to give consumers the chance to compare costs without having to meet with a representative from the business to get this information. Consumers should now receive a...
Consumer Protection
Media release
07 Jun 2023

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today, motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 7 June 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 27 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Jun 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Speak up about substandard rentals

Western Australia’s rental market has never been tighter, but it doesn’t mean tenants should accept living in homes that are falling into disrepair, have mould or electrical safety issues. So far this year, Consumer Protection has received 367 enquiries and 32 complaints about rental repair and maintenance issues, but we suspect these figures are only a small proportion of the actual number of...
Consumer Protection
Media release
01 Jun 2023

Scammers target real estate and settlement industry trust accounts

Real estate agent lost $43,080 and two settlement agents lost a combined $64,468 Victims tricked into transferring trust account funds by scammers posing as bank Consumers and businesses urged to not give out access codes over the phone Consumer Protection is warning the real estate and settlement industries to be extra vigilant to calls from their bank after scammers successfully lured a WA real...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 May 2023

Backyard trading of motor vehicles ends in fine for Thornlie man (Samuel Pihl)

$7,908.30 fine and costs for buying and selling motor vehicles without a dealer’s licence 21 vehicles bought and 24 sold during almost a year Public urged to report unlicensed motor vehicle dealers The Armadale Courthouse has imposed a $7,500 fine on a backyard dealer who operated without a motor vehicle dealer’s licence between July 2021 and April 2022. Samuel Pihl of Thornlie pleaded guilty to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 May 2023

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today, motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 31 May 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 28 cents per litre (cpl) to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 May 2023

WA tenancy law modernisation to strike a balance between tenants and landlords

New tenancy laws to improve rights for renters and provide certainty for landlords Rent bidding to be prohibited in Western Australia under the reforms The frequency of rent increases to be reduced to once every 12 months Funding boost for tenancy advocates and legal centres to assist tenants in trouble Tenants allowed to make minor modifications and keep pets at rental properties The McGowan...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 May 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Keep your wits when buying tickets

Live sport and music lovers will be spoilt for choice in the coming months, as Western Australia gets set to host to a slew of major international events. Competition for tickets to the likes of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Coldplay and P!NK has been fierce, so it’s never been more important for WA consumers to stay on the ball when trying to secure their own seat or spot. We have no doubt ticket...
Consumer Protection
Media release
25 May 2023

Unlicensed dealing results in further fines for repeat offender (Jayde Al-Defeari)

$30,208 fine and costs for trading in motor vehicles without a licence 18 vehicles bought and 22 sold between 6 January 2021 and 28 October 2021 Public urged to report unlicensed motor vehicle dealers The Perth Magistrates Court has handed down a $15,000 fine on a Perth woman who bought 18 vehicles and sold 22 of them between January 2021 and October 2021 and operated without a licence as...
Consumer Protection
Media release
25 May 2023

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today, motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 24 May 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 29 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 May 2023

Scam spike in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

50 consumers lost over $161,000 to scams in the last 12 months Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples invited to share their experience with scams, buying goods and services, and renting Survey closes 30 June 2023 with a $200 cost of living gift card up for grabs WA ScamNet has seen an increase in reports of scams affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Western Australia...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 May 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Travelling in a post-pandemic world

As the world shakes off the shackles of COVID-19, many Western Australians are feeling more confident about jetting off or setting sail for a holiday. We therefore want to remind travellers about their rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) if something goes wrong with a travel product or service. Beyond what is outlined in the terms and conditions, the travel provider is bound by the ACL...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 May 2023

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today, motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 17 May 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 27 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 May 2023

Next step for fairer retirement village laws

New retirement village laws underway to improve seniors' experiences of entering, living in and leaving a village, and support the sector's long-term viability Exit entitlements to be paid to former residents within 12 months of their departure from a village Proposed changes to balance greater protections for village residents and the interests of operators The McGowan Government is progressing...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 May 2023

Coldplay ticket scams - Western Australians warned to be on high alert!

​ Coldplay fans urged to be on high alert for ticket scalpers and scammers Holders of inflated tickets may be at risk of being refused entry at Optus Stadium Report tickets being sold for more than a 10 per cent mark-up to Consumer Protection The McGowan Government is warning Coldplay fans to be on high alert for ticket scalpers and scammers ahead of pre-sale tickets going on sale tomorrow,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 May 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Give shipping container scams a wide berth

Swelling demand for shipping containers is causing Western Australian consumers to be scammed out of their money at a rate of knots. When items are in high demand yet short in supply, they become easy targets for scammers who know that when people are desperate to buy scarce items, they can forget to ‘practice the pause’ to consider whether they are being swindled. According to figures from our...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 May 2023

Funding boost for community groups to assist tenants in trouble

McGowan Government providing almost $9 million over two years to tenancy advocates and legal centres across WA Funding in 2023-24 State Budget to enable tenants in need of help to access advice, assistance and legal support at little or no cost Community legal centres across Western Australia will receive a funding boost in the 2023-24 State Budget to provide advice and support to the increased...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 May 2023

Agency fined over improper property maintenance recommendations (Anna-Marie Thornton / Harcourts Prestige Real Estate)

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...
Consumer Protection
Media release
10 May 2023

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today, motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 10 May 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 25 cents per litre (cpl) to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
09 May 2023

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