Issue Date:  -  Friday, 6 August 2004

Itinerant Traders operating in Your Area

The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection and the Painters Registration Board have received complaints from elderly consumers in the Midland and Swanview areas who have paid big dollars for work to be done to their roofs only to find that they have been ripped off.

Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker confirmed that despite numerous warnings issued by the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection and his Department recently, these crooks are able to find a number of people to fleece out of large amounts of money for shoddy work being done.

"Itinerant traders travel around Australia flogging a range of substandard services and materials and then disappear after they have swindled their unsuspecting victims out of large amounts of their cash.

"These rogue traders like to target the elderly and people on low incomes offering to lay bitumen or paint roof and gutters using materials ‘left over from another job’ for a much reduced cash only payment.

"Don’t be fooled by their smooth and friendly story about how they can do a special deal for you because of the ‘left over materials’ and no tax.

"These scoundrels appear to have English, Irish or Scottish accents and are operating as teams of younger men aged around 18 to 25 lead by at least one older man who is the team boss. They wear bright green tops and try to appear as legitimate tradesmen, but don’t be fooled by this", Mr. Walker said.

Consumers should be wary of anyone who comes knocking uninvited at their door, claiming to be following up on roof repairs or painting conducted last year.

"These rogue traders have no legitimate place of business and use bogus business cards and signage in order to secure work.

"If you are approached by anyone to paint your roof or gutters, take the time to ring the number for the company that is in the phone book to verify who they are.

"It would also be advisable for consumers to ask to see their Painters Registration Card", he said.

Every painter in Western Australia who performs painting works valued above $200 is required by the Painters’ Registration Act to be registered.

"Consumers who feel that they may have fallen for this trick should urgently contact Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54 or the Painters Registration Board on 9476 1212.

"We rely on information from the public to help us protect vulnerable people who may get caught out by these rogues", the Commissioner said.