With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard

You only have to look up ‘white van speaker scam’ online to find out it happens all over the world and it’s been going on for years. At the moment back of vehicle sellers are currently popping up in metropolitan Perth and regional WA and we want to make sure people steer clear of them.

Reports received by Consumer Protection recently include approaches by two men in a white van at shopping centres in Booragoon and Joondalup, a business in Greenwood, a car park in Mandurah and major shopping centres in Bunbury. Two separate consumers were approached while stopped at traffic lights in Bassendean and Rockingham.

As with previous back of van scams, electronic goods such as home theatre or stereo equipment have been offered. One consumer reported handing over $1,200 to two men in a white van for an entertainment system. There have also been reports of white goods for sale.

No matter what back of the van sellers are offering, you should refuse to deal with these travelling conmen who are usually breaking Australian consumer law in a few ways.

You don’t get what you pay for

Back of van goods when unpacked from the box often do not match the description given, sample shown or model portrayed on the packaging. Often the products are not just inferior; they actually turn out to be counterfeit. This means the ‘bargain’ for a well-known brand is a high price because you have received a fake, low quality version, which could be dangerous because it may not meet Australian safety standards. Previously there have been fires caused by dodgy electrical equipment bought from the back of vans, including a television projector bought from the back of a van in Midland that overheated.

You can’t make a guarantee or warranty claim

Consumers have no chance of getting a repair, exchange or refund if the goods are faulty. This is because the conmen are impossible to track down after the sale is made. It’s common for them to give out business cards with fake names and mobile phone numbers.

No cooling off period given

Travelling conmen fail to give a ten business day cooling off period for unsolicited sales. During this time no payment should be taken while the consumer thinks over the uninvited offer and goods worth more than $500 should not be supplied.

We urge all consumers when approached by back of van scammers to say NO – it’s the only way to drive them out of business.

Information, such as a vehicle registration number, descriptions of the people and any names or business details, can be reported to Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54.

David Hillyard, Acting Commissioner, by CP Media