Two overseas backpackers have reported losing money after they responded to a fake website’s offer of accommodation and work as fruit pickers in WA’s South-West. Consumer Protection is investigating the reports and has closed down the website – www.rossovineyard.com.au – which was set up using an ABN from a legitimate business registered in Canning Vale. The victims claim to have transferred $200...

Fill up today if you want to pay less for your petrol – that’s the advice from FuelWatch. On Thursday, 13 March 2014, most BP, Caltex and Coles Express sites are increasing their ULP price by 12 cents per litre (cpl) up to 162.9 cpl, most Caltex Woolworths and Gull sites up to 161.9 cpl and most Peak sites up to 160.9 cpl. Tomorrow's metropolitan average price for ULP will be 159.8 cpl, however...

A former property manager of a real estate agency has been fined a total of $10,000 and ordered to pay costs of $2,220 by the Perth Magistrates Court for misleading and deceptive conduct. Josephine Wei-Wei Liau of Mount Pleasant pleaded guilty on 7 March 2014 to 16 charges of breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), Fair Trading Act, Real Estate and Business Agents Act (REBA Act) and the...

Two promoters of rent to buy property schemes in WA have been ordered to pay a total penalty of $29,500 by the Supreme Court for misleading and deceptive conduct in their dealings with prospective buyers and sellers. Patricia Mirawati Susilo and Bryan Artawijaya Susilo, sister and brother of Karawara, were ordered to pay $17,500 and $12,000 respectively on 27 February 2014 after admitting to...