Consumers in the Riverina area are being urged to be on the lookout for conmen offering cheap home improvement services.
Fair Trading Commissioner Rose Webb said information had been received that travelling conmen are offering cheap services such as bitumen driveway sealing, roof repairs, roof painting and other home maintenance services.
“These types of traders will often imply they have left over materials from a nearby job and offer a cheap price for work carried out that day. The groups are believed to be largely English or Irish,” Ms Webb said.
It was very important consumers be on the lookout for these groups and report any sightings to NSW Fair Trading.
Australian Consumer Law stipulates that people who door knock or cold call residents in NSW to offer work valued at more than $100, must tell consumers their rights to terminate agreements and of a 10-business day cooling off period.
The law also prohibits salespeople from intimidating or threatening consumers for payment. If a consumer feels threatened, they should call NSW Police immediately.
Also, people offering or carrying out work valued in excess of $5000 on residential properties are required to be licensed and consumers should request to sight that license.
One way to check if a person is qualified and licensed to do the job is via NSW Fair Trading’s licence check.
