Margs warning on 'conmen' roofers
Margaret River residents could be the next stop for a group of travelling conmen who scammed a Bunbury pensioner out of $15,000 this week.
The Department of Consumer Protection is urging Margaret River residents to be vigilant after the man was approached by two men who said they were from a registered Perth roofing company.
They gave a verbal quote for about $1000 to replace the roof tiles of his home but they later demanded $50,000 for the job. The man was forced to drive to bank and withdraw $15,000 that he had set aside for his funeral fund.
Consumer Protection South West regional co-ordinator Debbie Butler said the conmen could be heading to Margaret River after they told the victim they were going to be letterboxing in the town.
"Itinerant workers like these move around and can change their names and contact details depending on where they are operating which makes it difficult to track them down. What we try and do is help consumers to develop practices which will help them protect themselves when approached by these people," Ms Butler said.
She said the conmen appeared to target vulnerable customers including elderly people, full-time mums and carers and people with a disability.
The group is offering roof repairs, pressure cleaning of driveways, removal of old roots and debris, sealing, bitumen work, limestone or cracker gravel finish for concrete, block paving decking pathways and hot-rolled asphalt.
If people suspect someone is a travelling conman they should ask them to leave, and if they refuse, call the police to report trespass.
Contact Consumer Protection's general advice line on 1300 304 054 or the national travelling conmen hotline on 1300 133 408.
