Issue Date:  -  Friday, 7 May 2004

Fraudsters Hit SES Volunteers

Billing Fraudsters Hurt WA Volunteers

State Emergency Service Suffers

Scamsters who try to ‘piggy-back’ on legitimate publications by sending unsolicited invoices for non-existent advertising are making life difficult for the dedicated volunteers of the State Emergency Service (SES).

"Unscrupulous operators usually from interstate, target small business people and community groups who they rely on being very busy and prone to falling for their authentic sounding offers", Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

"The SES does a fantastic job and these shysters that attempt to rip off SES supporters should be on notice that we are co-operating with interstate authorities, so there will be no safe haven for them", he said.

Small businesses that have only a few overworked staff and who may have informal purchasing and ordering arrangements are particularly susceptible and should be on high alert.

Invoices and other documentation is carefully designed and worded to take the law to its limit.

"Protect yourself against fraud and make sure your sponsorship money goes to the agencies you want to support by observing a few simple procedures:

* If a call or letter is related to an existing arrangement (eg: SES Magazine) contact the organisation yourself to verify

* Request street address and phone number of any new advertising ‘offer’ and check with Consumer Protection on telephone 1300 30 40 54

* All orders regardless of how small, should be recorded and cross-checked by the person who pays the accounts

* Do not pay anything that has not been authorised or fully understood

"This will greatly diminish the scamster’s ability to ‘bluff’ victims into parting with money which is destined for honourable causes", the Commissioner said.