Cute photos of puppies and kittens have been used by scammers for years to dupe prospective pet buyers out of their hard-earned money and it’s only getting worse. In Western Australia last year, our WA ScamNet team received 114 reports of pet scams, with 75 victims losing more than $216,000 – a three-fold increase on both the losses and victim numbers reported five years earlier in 2017. Most pet...

Non-compliant products containing button batteries pulled from Albany shelves Retailers face penalties for failing to comply with mandatory standards Separate inspections reveal most Albany automotive dealers comply with the law Consumer Protection has sounded a warning for retailers to ensure they are complying with mandatory button battery safety laws or face penalties, after a number of...

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 8 March 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 22 cents per...

Buying a pet is a decision many people make with their hearts as well as their heads, meaning it can be a particularly devastating experience when things go wrong with a new companion. The issues we hear about can vary – from new pets with significant health issues or not matching their description (such as size or pedigree), to breeders taking upfront deposits for litters that are never born...

With a world-class fishing industry right on our doorstep, it’s little wonder so many Western Australian consumers are hooked on seafood. But if you’ve ever sat down at a restaurant and thought there was something fishy about the menu, rest assured that changes are coming to help clear up some of the confusion. In a move designed to increase consumer awareness about where our food comes from, the...

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 22 February 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 23 cents...

Former Director fined $2,500 for unauthorised transfer of trust account funds Deposit from real estate sale contract transferred to agency operating account Funds then sent to two personal bank accounts A former Director of an East Perth real estate agency has been ordered to pay a total of almost $4,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court for unlawfully transferring funds from the agency’s trust...

$5,682 fine and costs for trading in motor vehicles without a licence 19 vehicles bought and 18 sold during an almost two year period Public urged to dob in unlicensed backyard dealers The Perth Magistrates Court has imposed a $5,000 fine on a backyard motor vehicle dealer who operated without a licence for almost two years. Indrek Veskioja of Nollamarra pleaded guilty to buying 19 vehicles and...

Don’t disappoint loved ones this Valentine’s Day with online flowers or gifts that don’t arrive in time, or arrive in time but are not what you ordered. If you have left your shopping to the last minute, make sure to seek delivery guarantees when ordering online, so you know your flowers or gifts will arrive in time. For gifts that arrive but aren’t what was advertised online, such as flowers...

67 victims reported losing almost $3 million to romance scams in WA in 2022 Don’t transfer money or give your bank account details to someone you haven’t met in person Assume people you speak with online are scammers This Valentine’s Day (14 February), don’t open your heart up to scammers targeting vulnerable victims looking for love online. Romance and dating scams are on the rise, with scammers...

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 8 February 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 24 cents per litre (cpl...