A warning has been issued following reports of dodgy driveway-layers operating in the WA’s South West.
Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said the so-called ‘Bitumen Bandits’ have been touting for business in Bunbury, Boyanup and Donnybrook, amongst other areas.
He advised home and business owners to say no to on-the-spot deals they were offered.
“If you want an expensive job carried out at your property, such as a new driveway, shop around for quotes from reputable, local tradespeople who you know you could go back to if you had a problem with work once it had been carried out,” he said.
“Bitumen Bandits will try to tempt you with claims of heavily discounted prices but instead of a bargain you’ll likely end up with a sub-standard driveway, laid using cheap and low-quality materials.
“They may leave a mess or even disappear before they’ve finished. When you call the mobile phone number it will ring out or be disconnected.”
“In Bunbury this week a travelling conman going by the name of ‘Bill’ has been pretending to work for a local business, much to the dismay of the true business owner who doesn’t want his reputation damaged.”
- Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard
Mr Hillyard said gangs of travelling conmen, often with English or Irish accents, come to Australia every summer.
He said their tactics changed as they tried to evade police, immigration and consumer protection or fair trading authorities.
“Previously Bitumen Bandits just knocked on doors and had their truck and materials with them but now they like to put up road-side signs, post flyers in letterboxes and hand out business cards face-to-face to appear professional,” he said.
“We’re finding they’re impersonating registered Australian businesses by copying names and ABNs.
“In Bunbury this week a travelling conman going by the name of ‘Bill’ has been pretending to work for a local business, much to the dismay of the true business owner who doesn’t want his reputation damaged.”
Under Australian Consumer Law, a ten-business-day cooling off period applies to unsolicited sales agreements over $100 and it is illegal to take money, carry out any work or supply goods valued at more than $500 during a consumer’s cooling off period.
Residents who suspected travelling conmen were urged to report their details such as offender descriptions, vehicle types and registrations and personal or business names used, to Consumer Protection by calling 1300 30 40 54 or emailing consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au