Issue Date:  -  Monday, 27 November 2006

Christmas – the time for giving and scamming ! Itinerant traders warning

As the yuletide season approaches, goodwill is the last thing on the minds of unscrupulous conmen who prey on consumers, especially older people, with a range of dodgy home services they peddle, by door knocking unsuspecting victims.

Roof coating, painting, carpet cleaning and bitumen laying are some of the services touted, usually involving very shoddy work and high prices.

“Consumers and especially the families and friends of older people should be on high alert and be very sceptical should anyone come door knocking offering supposedly cheap services or good deals,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“We have been advised by our colleagues in the East, that felons known for previously targeting vulnerable consumers are again active and if they follow their usual patterns, it may not be long before they head West,” he said.

In February last year rogue traders Darren Warrilow (39) and Jason Robinson (19) of no fixed address had to pay fines, costs and consumer-compensation of   more than $5,000 for a string of offences relating to shoddy roof and painting work in metropolitan and country areas. Police had previously arrested Mr. Warrilow and restricted his movements.

Country towns often fall prey to these ruthless operators first, and then the outer metropolitan suburbs. The itinerant and hence highly mobile nature of these offenders has made it difficult in the past for authorities to apprehend them.

“We are asking people not to deal with these peddlers who come knocking on doors offering home services. Instead, if safe to do so, obtain their vehicle registration number and type of vehicle and report them to Consumer Protection and Police,” Commissioner Walker said.

Alarming reports have indicated that itinerant traders have used threats and intimidation on elderly consumers, even driving them to the bank to obtain payment in cash.

Consumer Protection officers can be contacted on telephone number 1300 30 40 54 and Police can be contacted by telephoning 13 14 44 which will connect to the nearest Police station.