- Fake tradies targeting households with dodgy roof, driveway and spray services
- Use high-pressure sales tactics and break door-to-door trading laws
- Reports so far received from consumers in Perth and now South West
An alert has been issued to homeowners to watch out for a new band of fake tradies travelling around WA, as five households so far report paying $49,300 for shoddy roof and driveway restorations, and spray-painting work.
Consumer Protection has received reports from consumers in Bullsbrook, Wanneroo South Yunderup, Australind and Bunbury about men, believed to be from the United Kingdom, who have been charging between $2,000 and $27,000 for their services.
They are understood to have been in Perth during August, before moving down towards the South West in October, with fears their operations could continue moving elsewhere around the state.
These travelling conmen are breaking the Australian Consumer Law by soliciting business without invitation and disregarding the required ten-day cooling-off period. They often deliver incomplete or substandard work before demanding full payment and vanishing.
It is also illegal for unregistered painters to carry out paid painting work valued over $1,000 under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011.
Complaints include patchy and peeling paint jobs, overspray damage to vehicles and other property and the use of high-pressure sales techniques to initiate work immediately.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake urges WA consumers to turn down these dodgy traders if approached.
“These individuals are not legitimate tradespeople seeking to provide a quality service – they just want to take your cash and run,” Ms Blake said.
“Not only do they overcharge for poor quality work, but they flout unsolicited sales laws by not giving you ten days to change your mind after they approach you.
“Once they’ve got the money and disappeared, it’s nearly impossible to find them after the homeowner discovers the work is unfinished or badly done.
“Ignore their high-pressure sales tactics and claims of offering a good deal, and instead get multiple quotes from reputable tradespeople you have sourced yourself.
“We want consumers to be on alert, turn them away if they come knocking, and let us know so we can track their whereabouts.”
Itinerant traders are often identified to be working unlawfully in Australia, lacking the necessary work visas required for non-Australian citizens.
Consumer Protection is working closely with authorities across the country including WA Police, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Home Affairs and other Australian Consumer Law regulators to identify action which may be taken against these conmen.
To report travelling conmen, call Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54 or email consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au. Information such as descriptions of offenders, vehicle registrations numbers or business names used would be helpful.
To find out if a painter is registered, check Building and Energy’s online register.
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Media Contact: cpmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au
