Consumer Protection WA

Consumer Protection WA Consumer Protection, part of the Government of Western Australia. Helping buyers of goods & services.

A Government of Western Australia agency, which enforces consumer and tenancy laws and promotes fair trading.

🌈 Ordered a print of Eastern Rosellas but all the beautiful colours were missing? Under the Australian Consumer Law, if ...
31/08/2026

🌈 Ordered a print of Eastern Rosellas but all the beautiful colours were missing?

Under the Australian Consumer Law, if your purchase doesn’t match its description, you could be entitled to a remedy.

Depending on the problem, this could mean a refund, replacement or repair.

Try and resolve it directly with the trader first and if that doesn’t work, you can come to us – 1300 30 40 54 or https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/returns-refunds-repairs-and-replacements

Because when you order an Eastern Rosella print, you should get red, yellow, green and blue and if you don’t - you can rely on your trusty consumer rights! ❤💛💚💙

In WA, motor vehicle dealers can use the build date, compliance date or model year when advertising a vehicle for sale.B...
28/08/2026

In WA, motor vehicle dealers can use the build date, compliance date or model year when advertising a vehicle for sale.

BUT these dates can differ by several months and, in some cases, can even cross calendar years.

So which date is the TRUE year of your car?

It's the build date - this is when the vehicle was manufactured and is generally considered the true indicator of its age.

Learn more: https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/announcements/the-commissioner-what-year-your-car-really

Let's remove the stigma 💙 Share your story below of a recent scam you've seen or if you've had money or personal details...
27/08/2026

Let's remove the stigma 💙 Share your story below of a recent scam you've seen or if you've had money or personal details stolen in a scam 👇

“Mum, my phone’s broken.”

That’s how it started for Susanne.

Message after message claimed to be from her daughter. Her phone was broken.

Her bank account was frozen. She needed money urgently.

By the time Susanne called her daughter to check, nearly $26,000 had been transferred.

“Unless you’re 100% sure who it’s coming from, don’t engage.”

Behind every scam report is a real person and a real story. No one’s just a number.

With the "Hi Mum/Dad" scam, criminals are likely using AI to craft messages with no spelling or grammatical errors - meaning they are even harder to detect. They may even make local references such as saying they got the new phone from 'Coles' or 'Woolies'.

What to do if you receive a similar text:
✅Verify the sender by asking questions that only your child can answer or ask to speak to them in person.
✅ Alternatively call the original number saved in your contacts, not the new number, to verify that the phone isn’t working.
✅ This will reveal if it’s a scam before any money is sent.

Scam victims are not careless people. Not unusual people. Just people, who became a victim of a crime. Just like Susanne.

If you've encountered a scam, help protect yourself and others by reporting it to WA ScamNet: 🌐 scamnet.wa.gov.au 📞 1300 30 40 54

Our Commissioner is making further enquiries into Bella Modular to better understand what’s happening. Anyone who has ha...
27/08/2026

Our Commissioner is making further enquiries into Bella Modular to better understand what’s happening.

Anyone who has had unsatisfactory dealings with the company, or any other modular home builder, should lodge a complaint ASAP – https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/complaints or call 1300 30 40 54.

If you’re looking at buying a modular home, follow this advice:
✅ When searching for a modular home trader – look at online reviews, ask to see examples of previous work and ask friends and family for recommendations.
✅ Be wary of traders advertising on social media or online marketplaces as there is a high risk of scams.
✅ Always meet the trader in person before signing anything or handing over payment.
✅ When it comes to paying a deposit, only pay a small amount and never pay for the whole job upfront. A small amount is no more than 10 per cent of the total job price.
✅ If it’s a large job – negotiate progress payments.
✅ Ask if the business will take a credit card payment, because this could offer the possibility of getting a transaction reversal, known as a ‘chargeback’, if the work isn’t carried out. Also ensure the receipt or invoice includes the business’s details.
✅ Read the contract carefully and agree on a timeframe for completion.

Jerry* thought he'd found a great deal on bulk meat from a butcher on Facebook. He paid $250 via direct bank transfer an...
25/08/2026

Jerry* thought he'd found a great deal on bulk meat from a butcher on Facebook. He paid $250 via direct bank transfer and made room in the freezer.

The night before the delivery he was asked to pay even more for insurance with the promise it would be refunded. This is a common tactic from these grubby scammers.

💸The meat never turned up, and his cash was gone.

Behind every scam report is a real person and a real story. No one’s just a number.

Red flags to look out for:
🥩 Bulk meat delivered at prices that seem too good to be true.
🥩 A lack reviews, likes and comments, no business address and the page newly created, or shows a history of name changes.
🥩Demanding payment via bank transfer, especially if multiple accounts are offered, the account name is personal rather than a business, or it does not match the contact person.

1️⃣ STOP before you transfer any money
2️⃣ CHECK by spending a few minutes reverse image searching the photos to check they haven’t been stolen from a real butcher.
3️⃣ PROTECT yourself and others by reporting the scam to WA ScamNet at scamnet.wa.gov.au or 1300 30 40 54.



*name changed for privacy

Cold nights and crisp mornings are hanging around, so many of us are still clicking on electric blankets and other heati...
24/08/2026

Cold nights and crisp mornings are hanging around, so many of us are still clicking on electric blankets and other heating appliances.

We’re reminding consumers about safe use of these products following recent incidents such as a faulty electric blanket igniting a mattress in Maylands (pictured) and serious burns to a campervan occupant in Caversham after a fire sparked by a heating appliance.

Our key advice includes:
🔥 Ensure all electric appliances have an RCM mark (pictured), showing they are approved for use in Australia.
🔥 Avoid overloading power outlets with multiple appliances or adaptors.
🔥 Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and only connect components designed for that appliance.
🔥 Regularly check electric blankets for exposed wiring or elements, burn marks, damaged cords or controllers, or other faults. Never use a damaged electrical appliance.
🔥 Ensure the electric blanket is fully spread out and flat (not folded or creased) and the cords and controller are not trapped. Electric blankets should also be rolled up, not folded, when in storage.
🔥 Never leave an electric blanket, or other heating appliance, switched on unattended.
🔥 Don’t sleep with your electric blanket on – warm the bed and then turn it off.
🔥 Never place heavy items on your bed when the electric blanket is turned on.
🔥 Heaters should be regularly cleaned to avoid dust build-up.
🔥 Flammable items should not be placed on or near heaters.

For more information, see Building and Energy’s webpage on electrical appliances, including why damaged goods should never be used 👉 https://www.wa.gov.au/government/multi-step-guides/electrical-safety-home/electrical-appliances and DFES’ resources on home fires, including the importance of working smoke alarms and escape plans 👉https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/hazard-information/fire-in-the-home

This week is Scams Awareness Week 2026. Last year, more than 274,000 Australians were scammed. Not because they weren’t ...
24/08/2026

This week is Scams Awareness Week 2026.

Last year, more than 274,000 Australians were scammed. Not because they weren’t paying attention. Because scams are sophisticated, convincing, and designed to catch people off guard.

Behind that number are parents, friends, neighbours and colleagues. No one’s just a number.

There are three steps that can help you avoid being scammed:

1️⃣ Stop before you act.
2️⃣ Check who you’re really dealing with.
3️⃣ Protect yourself and others by reporting the scam to WA ScamNet - scamnet.wa.gov.au or 1300 30 40 54.

Get involved by following along, sharing your knowledge and showing support for others. We’ve all got a scams story to tell this Scams Awareness Week. Tell us below about the most recent scam you've seen 👇

⚠️ Reminder for short-stay accommodation providersConsumer Protection has issued the first infringement under WA's Short...
21/08/2026

⚠️ Reminder for short-stay accommodation providers

Consumer Protection has issued the first infringement under WA's Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) laws, with a $2,000 fine imposed for advertising a property without displaying a mandatory STRA registration number.

If you operate a short-stay rental, ensure your property is registered and your registration number appears in all advertisements.

Read more about this case and what you need to do: www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/announcements/first-infringement-issued-under-was-short-stay-laws

New laws introduced to Parliament will strengthen FuelWatch and give Western Australians greater access to accurate, up-...
20/08/2026

New laws introduced to Parliament will strengthen FuelWatch and give Western Australians greater access to accurate, up-to-date information about fuel availability.

The reforms will:
✅ Make fuel availability reporting a permanent part of FuelWatch
✅ Allow genuine fuel price errors to be corrected
✅ Help the State Government respond to fuel supply disruptions

"Recent fuel supply disruptions have highlighted gaps in the existing framework. These reforms provide a permanent legislative basis for fuel availability reporting and will strengthen FuelWatch as a trusted source of information for consumers," Commerce Minister Dr. Tony Buti MLA said.

Read more about the reforms: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/FuelWatch-reforms-set-to-improve-fuel-information-for-WA-motorists-20260820

⛽Spend 30 seconds to save - check fuelwatch.wa.gov.au before you fill up to find the cheapest fuel near you.

20/08/2026

👏$11.6 million returned to consumers thanks to our hard working Conciliation team.

Motor vehicle and caravan complaints accounted for the largest share of redress, with more than $7.1 million returned to consumers who had had problems with purchases and repairs.

Retail, building, and services generated the greatest number of successful outcomes, covering everything from flights and furniture to mobile phones and fitness services. Tenancy disputes resulted in more than $800,000 being returned to renters.

"These refunds, repairs, and replacements are about putting things right for Western Australians when they're entitled to a remedy but aren't getting it," said Commerce Minister Dr. Tony Buti MLA

"Our team at Consumer Protection can step in when people feel stuck or ignored, and this result shows just how often that intervention can make a meaningful difference."

Read more about this record achievement: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/Record-$11.6-million-in-refunds-and-repairs-for-WA-consumers-20260819

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