The Honourable Peter Lawlor
09/01/2011
Flood victims to be cautious of scammers
The Bligh Government is warning residents in regional Queensland to be on the lookout for dodgy traders following the floods.
Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said unscrupulous itinerant traders tended to hit areas devastated by the floods, preying on the vulnerability of victims.
"The Office of Fair Trading often receives information about itinerant traders, particularly after events such as natural disasters, who go from town to town peddling their services," Mr Lawlor said.
"These traders offer everything from roof repairs and electrical work to resurfacing damaged driveways, but they're not always the blessing they appear to be.
"Many are unlicensed and their work can be quite shoddy and conduct questionable. Even if the trader does offer a guarantee, it probably means nothing as they often move on quickly.
"The last thing you need at such a stressful time is to have to pay someone else to fix the job."
Mr Lawlor said traders were usually bound by door-to-door trading rules that provided consumers with a 10-day cooling-off period, but different provisions applied to emergency repair contracts.
"Normally if a job is worth more than $75 the trader cannot begin work or accept payment in the first 10 days. This is to give people time to back out of large purchases if they change their mind after the salesman has left," Mr Lawlor said.
"However, in the event of a natural disaster, where emergency repairs are often necessary, those rules don't apply. While this allows homeowners to have emergency repairs completed, it also removes some protections meaning consumers must be even more vigilant.
"Before you engage anyone to perform emergency repairs around your house you should contact your insurer for information and advice," he said.
"If you are approached by a company you don't know, go online to check their website, call their head office, or check with someone else in town if they've used the trader's services.
"Ask the trader for ID and, if the job requires building work, a Building Services Authority licence which demonstrates they are licensed to perform that work.
"You should also ask the trader for a contract and proper receipt with their name and address on it.
"If you're not confident, do not feel pressured to take up the offer on the spot. Give yourself time to think it through, do more research, and get more quotes.
"If you do proceed with the work, make sure you check the quote carefully to avoid being overcharged."
To report suspicious business activity to the Office of Fair Trading, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
To check if a tradesman is licensed to perform the type of work you need, visit www.bsa.qld.gov.au
