Contact Consumer Protection
Tel: 1300 304 054
consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Consumer Protection is warning Western Australians, particularly those in remote and regional communities, about door-knockers offering ‘free’ laptops to people who sign up for courses.
Acting Commissioner David Hillyard says varying reports are being looked into and there’s a common theme that consumers are on a low-income and thought they were dealing with someone working for, or associated with, the Government.
“Last month a number of people living in Broome were paid a visit by men they thought were offering free laptops in exchange for signing up for a training course. Secure personal information including tax file numbers and copies of driver’s licences were taken,” he said.
“Generally, those who accepted the proposal did not receive paperwork in exchange making it very difficult for the local police or Consumer Protection to ascertain if the men are representing a training provider or if they are scammers.”
As well as complaints from the Kimberley, Consumer Protection is looking into reports from Mid-West and South-West WA regarding men knocking on doors and offering training courses, such as a diploma, with the promise of a free laptop.
“Because we’re unclear whether these men are from a legitimate organisation, we would urge people NOT to give secure, personal details such as tax file numbers or copies of driver’s licences, birth certificates, passports or even utility bills,” Mr Hillyard said.
“There are concerns that these consumers could be unknowingly signed up for a Commonwealth Government ‘Vocational Education and Training (VET) FEE-HELP’ loan, which is a debt that has to be repaid once your income reaches a certain level and can affect your credit rating.
“Since April VET FEE-HELP training providers have been banned from offering enrolment inducements to students, so anyone promising a free laptop is breaking Federal Government rules around the loan-scheme and shouldn’t be trusted.”
Mr Hillyard encouraged people to do their homework before enrolling in any course.
“It’s a big decision, so shop around to find the right course for you. Check www.training.gov.au to see whether a training provider is registered to provide a certain course. You can also visit the www.studyassist.gov.au site to see whether a course provider is approved to offer VETFEE-HELP loans.”
Consumer Protection tips for dealing with door-knockers:
Last modified: