Issue Date:  -  Monday, 25 September 2006

Fake leather jackets are back

Authorities suspect another scam involving fake leather jackets being sold in car parks has reared its head, similar to the one busted by Consumer Protection in July 2005.

“We currently have people on the ground following up information provided to us by members of the public, and also reviewing security video footage at a Northern suburbs shopping centre,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“So far, our enquiries suggest that this latest scam is very similar to last year’s in the way it is perpetrated, the style and wording of a business card handed out to potential victims, and the story about the seller being from Milan in Italy,” he said.

More than two hundred jackets were seized last year and with the co-operation of the Australian Customs Service, Consumer Protection obtained from the ringleader, refunds of $60,000 to seventy seven consumers who had been duped.

“The supposedly designer label jackets were found to be made of sheep hide and PVC, with a wholesale value of around $50-$100.

“While our investigation continues, we urgently warn consumers not to deal with anyone approaching them in car parks or on the street with so-called great bargains on leather jackets and coats.

“Take a note of the person’s description and the registration number of their vehicle if it is safe to do so, and contact us immediately,” Commissioner Walker said.

In addition to charges relating to false and misleading statements about the quality of the jackets, the offenders could also face prosecution for Door-To-Door Trading Act violations.

Consumer Protection’s telephone number is 1300 30 40 54.
 
Mike Winchester (Dip PR WA   AIMM)
Principal Media Liaison Officer
Consumer Protection Division
Dept of Consumer & Employment Protection
Western Australia

L7, 219 St Georges Tce, Perth WA 6000
Locked Bag 14 Cloisters Square, Perth WA 6850

(08) 9282 0961
(08) 9282 0857
0409 118 982
mwinchester@docep.wa.gov.au
www.docep.wa.gov.au