Western Australians have been warned against a group of “fake” tradies travelling the state offering “dodgy” roofing, driveway and spray-painting services.
Western Australia’s Consumer Protection has issued a warning as five households have reported a group of fake tradies leaving home owners with half-assed jobs or substandard ones before vanishing.
The group, believed to be from the UK, has been travelling throughout the state and charging between $2,000 and $27,000 for their services.
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In total, the five households reported a combined $49,300 payment for either substandard or incomplete work, including patchy and peeling paint jobs, overspray damage to vehicles and other properties.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Trish Blake, urged Western Australian consumers to turn down these dodgy workers, as they will just take the cash before running.
“Not only do they overcharge for poor-quality work, but they flout unsolicited sales laws by not giving you 10 days to change your mind after they approach you,” Blake said.
“Once they’ve got the money and disappeared, it’s nearly impossible to find them after the home owner discovers the work is unfinished or badly done.”
Additionally, home owners said the band used high-pressure sales techniques to initiate work immediately.
Blake said Western Australian consumers should ignore the high-pressure sales tactics and claims of offering a good deal and get multiple quotes from registered tradespeople instead.
Consumer Protection said these fake travelling tradies have recently been seen in Bullsbrook, Wanneroo, South Yunderup, Australind and Bunbury, and were seen in Perth in August.
The watchdog warned Western Australians that their operations could continue moving elsewhere around the state, and urged consumers to report the men if they come knocking.
“We want consumers to be on alert, turn them away if they come knocking, and let us know so we can track their whereabouts,” Blake said.
By Australian standards, the fake tradies are breaking consumer law by soliciting business without invitation and disregarding the required 10-day cooling-off period.
Additionally, it is also illegal for unregistered painters to carry out paid painting work valued over $1,000 under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011.
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Consumer Law said they continue working closely with the authorities across the country to identify which actions can be taken against the con group.
