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Con Campaign To Protect Consumers Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe has welcomed a new education campaign to help local people be better armed to identify and avoid con men and con women posing as tradespeople. By Russell Northe - 14th February 2011 - Back to News Mr Northe said that Latrobe Valley residents were not immune to unscrupulous tradespeople and scammers ripping off vulnerable people with dodgy home repairs.
"Unsolicited door to door salespeople are a major concern for many residents throughout the region.
"The pink batt debacle highlighted that there are unscrupulous tradespeople around who are prepared to ‘rip off’ consumers with shoddy workmanship which can have dangerous outcomes."
The joint education campaign will be run between Consumer Affairs Victoria and Crime Stoppers Victoria and will give consumers the confidence to say ‘no’ to unwelcome tradespeople.
"The campaign is aimed at protecting consumers, their homes and their pockets by making people aware of how to spot a travelling con man or woman.
"These are the sort of people who often prey on vulnerable consumers in regional Victoria, and in particular householders affected by the recent flooding should be on their guard," Mr Northe said.
Signs that an offer of home repairs may be dubious include:
• Someone looking like a tradesperson who knocks on your door uninvited;
• The quote on home repair services is cheap, cash-only or today-only; and
• The person demands payment for the job before any work has commenced.
"Changes to the Fair Trading Bill in 2010 have enabled new provisions to regulate fair trading laws to better protect consumers and includes the provision to prevent door to door salespeople from contacting households after 6.00pm.
"This new education campaign will further help residents throughout the Latrobe Valley to protect themselves from dubious tradespeople."
Mr Northe said that anyone who suspects a travelling con man or woman is operating in their area should contact Consumer Affairs on 1300 55 8181.
Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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