Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 7 June 2000

Warning on fake pest controllers

The Ministry of Fair Trading has been advised that people living within the Town of Cambridge are being contacted by a company claiming to represent the local council to undertake ant inspections.

One resident reported receiving a call form Antos Australia who told him that the council had ordered an ant inspection on his premises and that he must arrange an inspection time with them. If he failed to do so they would attend his property with a member of council.

It is believed that Antos has some kind of "hit list" which they are using to systemically canvass residents, telling them that problems have been reported with ants in their area.

The Town of Cambridge has received numerous calls from customers regarding similar instances and state they have no connection whatsoever with a company called Antos Australia and have been referring complaint calls to the Wembley Police.

"Antos Australia are itinerant traders and are not a licensed pest control business, and a business names check by the Ministry has failed to find any registration of any kind for this trader", Fair Trading Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

"People in the Nedlands to Wembley area should be on their guard, although the risk may not be confined to those areas as itinerant traders traditionally move around to access more victims", he said.

Consumers are protected from door-to-door trading by the Door to Door Trading Act which provides a ten day cooling off period before they can be required to pay any money. There are also provisions under the Fair Trading Act which prevent traders making false and misleading claims.

If residents are approached by Antos Australia or any other suspicious pest control company, they should report the matter to their local Police or Fair Trading on telephone number 1300 30 40 54 or send Fair Trading an email on consumer@docep.wa.gov.au.

Media inquiries:

Mike Winchester
Tel: (08) 9282 0961