WA consumers in for a tweet

Issue Date: - Friday, 15 January 2010

Western Australians will now be able to get information like cheapest fuel prices and product recalls via Twitter, as Consumer Protection launches its account on the social networking website.

ConsumerWA is one of only a handful of State Government Twitter accounts.

Followers can expect a range of tweets; from FuelWatch alerts which will help drivers to find the least expensive petrol, to WA ScamNet alerts which will advise of the latest scams targeting consumers and businesses.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll is excited about using the platform to provide consumers with relevant information in a quick and convenient way.

“The growth of Twitter is something we can’t ignore, with tweets often at the centre of news stories or conversations,” she said.

“Although some people have limited internet access, the wide availability of social networking sites on mobile phones means Consumer Protection can connect with consumers while they are out and about doing things like shopping.

“The benefits will vary; from drivers getting their petrol for less to parents realising that a toy which their child is playing with has been recalled because it’s unsafe."

The Commissioner added:

“A Facebook page by the name Consumer Protection WA is also being launched as part of this pilot project. We want to reach out to younger consumers in Western Australia and improve our communication with them and hope Facebook can help us achieve this.

“Both Facebook and Twitter will offer consumers the opportunity to raise issues directly with Consumer Protection. We already have advisors in our contact centre who reply to emails and the plan is for them to respond to concerns tweeted @ConsumerWA or received via our Facebook inbox.”

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Alina Cavanagh Phone: 9282 0679 or 0423-846397 Email: alina.cavanagh@commerce.wa.gov.au Journalist - Consumer Protection