Go to whole of WA Government search

Dodgy roof repairers or driveway layers

rooftopcowboyDodgy roof repairers/painters or driveway layers

Consumer Protection is warning Perth residents, particularly seniors, after receiving reports of travelling conmen offering roof repairs.

There have been various reports of men, most with Irish-sounding accents, approaching elderly residents in Como, Dianella, Mount Hawthorn, Nedlands and Subiaco telling them that their roof is in need of repair and offering to carry out the work for a fee. 

In four cases, the men were travelling in a ute, produced a business card naming a legitimate roofing company, but the company confirmed to one of the consumers that they were not employed by them. When confronted by the consumer with this information, the travelling conmen who were on the roof quickly left the premises.

Further to this there have been reports of men offering to lay supposedly bitumen driveways in Willeton.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll is warning homeowners not to deal with these door to door traders.

“These itinerant traders use high pressure sales pitches to get consumers to agree to have their roofs repaired at supposedly low cost,” Ms Driscoll said.

“The cost of the job is often more than it’s worth and the work is usually sub-standard. It’s also difficult to track down these traders for a refund or to make a warranty claim if the consumer is not satisfied.

“They are also breaking consumer law by not observing a ten day cooling off period for unsolicited sales. We urge residents not the deal with these conmen and report their activities to Consumer Protection immediately.”

Travelling conmen can be reported to Consumer Protection by email: consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au or by phone 1300 30 40 54.

The Building Commission has recently issued a warning about unregistered roof painters operating in Perth suburbs: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/announcements/perth-home-owners-targeted-unregistered-painters

WA Police issued this statement on 16 January 2015:

On 14 January 2015, police were advised that two men had gone to the home of 88 year old Mt Hawthorn woman and told her that her roof needed repairing and they could do it for her. The men took the woman to her bank to withdraw the money for the cost of the repairs.

It is alleged the men did not do any roof repairs. It is also alleged that one of the men stole a ladder from the woman’s home.

About 12:30pm on Thursday, 15 January 2015 Wembley Police located and spoke to the men with inquiries continuing.

A 31 year old Joondanna man has been charged with Stealing and Trespass and is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on 22 January 2015.

On 15 January 2015, police were advised that two men had gone to the home of a 91 year old Karrinyup woman and told her they could repair a hole in her roof.

One of the men took the woman to her bank to withdraw the money for the cost of repairs. It is alleged the men came onto her property without permission and using ladders, climbed onto her roof before going to her door and telling her that her roof required repairs.

The investigation is ongoing.

A 17 year old man of no fixed address has been charged with Trespass and will appear in court at a later date.

Anyone with any information relating to these incidents or similar is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Department of Consumer Protection.

Further to the WA Police statement, Consumer Protection made public the following additional information:

On Thursday 15 January 2015, two Consumer Protection investigators attended Wembley Police Station where police were holding a 31-year-old and 17-year-old man.  Consumer Protection issued a $1,320 infringement notice to the 31-year-old man for failure to give a copy of an unsolicited consumer agreement to a consumer, as required under the Australian Consumer Law.

Itinerant traders leave mess edit

In a separate matter two Consumer Protection investigators attended a home in Hocking and attempted to question two men working on the property after a third man had knocked at the door uninvited the day prior. The visit to the home came after a friend of the elderly male resident called Consumer Protection. The men refused to provide identification and fled the scene leaving paint powder debris on the road (picture above). The vehicle, which was not hired and has a registered owner in WA, has been reported to Wanneroo Police for alleged reckless driving.

Consumer Protection has had more than 20 enquiries about itinerant traders (roof painting or repair, driveway laying etc.) so far this week.

Update June 2015 - Three men implicated in roof repair scam targeting Perth elderly sentenced, reports ABC Online.

Page created: 16 January 2015
Page update: 15 June 2015