CONMEN TARGETING RETIREES: SCHWARTEN
Published Tuesday, 22 July, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten today warned elderly home owners to beware of predators posing as legitimate tradespeople after reports of unlicensed contractors targeting elderly home owners on Brisbane’s southside.
“The Queensland Building Services Authority has become aware of fly-by-nighters posing as roof painters and repairers in an effort to get a quick and easy dollar,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Their targets are, in may cases, elderly single people.
“Sadly, the BSA receives numerous complaints about bogus tradespeople every year, and some of these questionable operators appear to be unlicensed interstate operators.”
Mr Schwarten said many of these so-called tradespeople appeared to be highly organised and often worked in packs - sending vehicles ahead to the next town to scout for work.
“Roofing repair appears to be a service favoured by con artists because the work can not be easily checked,” he said.
“These people use pressure tactics to secure a substantial up-front deposit, even driving the person to the bank. Then they either shoot through or perform sub-standard work.”
“Home owners should be wary of unsolicited approaches, particularly if the contractor launches into a ‘hard sell’ sales spiel such as,” he said.
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Suspicion should be aroused if the tradesperson has unmarked stationary, drives an unmarked vehicle or supplies a post office box address and mobile phone number as contact details.”
He said home owners should seek out local tradespeople with established track records to carry out repairs or renovations.
Anyone who has doubts about a person representing themselves as a tradesperson can contact BSA on 1300 272 272 or visit www.bsa.qld.gov.au for more information and to conduct an on-line licence check.
“The BSA licence is a symbol of consumer protection offered under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991,” he said.
When a BSA-licensed contractor is used for the construction of a home, or major alterations or extensions, home owners are protected under BSA’s Statutory Home Warranty Insurance Scheme.
This insurance policy provides protection against non-completion of the work covered by the contract, defective construction and subsidence or settlement.
“The Queensland Building Services Authority has become aware of fly-by-nighters posing as roof painters and repairers in an effort to get a quick and easy dollar,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Their targets are, in may cases, elderly single people.
“Sadly, the BSA receives numerous complaints about bogus tradespeople every year, and some of these questionable operators appear to be unlicensed interstate operators.”
Mr Schwarten said many of these so-called tradespeople appeared to be highly organised and often worked in packs - sending vehicles ahead to the next town to scout for work.
“Roofing repair appears to be a service favoured by con artists because the work can not be easily checked,” he said.
“These people use pressure tactics to secure a substantial up-front deposit, even driving the person to the bank. Then they either shoot through or perform sub-standard work.”
“Home owners should be wary of unsolicited approaches, particularly if the contractor launches into a ‘hard sell’ sales spiel such as,” he said.
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Suspicion should be aroused if the tradesperson has unmarked stationary, drives an unmarked vehicle or supplies a post office box address and mobile phone number as contact details.”
He said home owners should seek out local tradespeople with established track records to carry out repairs or renovations.
Anyone who has doubts about a person representing themselves as a tradesperson can contact BSA on 1300 272 272 or visit www.bsa.qld.gov.au for more information and to conduct an on-line licence check.
“The BSA licence is a symbol of consumer protection offered under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991,” he said.
When a BSA-licensed contractor is used for the construction of a home, or major alterations or extensions, home owners are protected under BSA’s Statutory Home Warranty Insurance Scheme.
This insurance policy provides protection against non-completion of the work covered by the contract, defective construction and subsidence or settlement.