Office of Fair Trading issues warning after bitumen scammers target Ipswich homeowners

The Office of Fair Trading has warned Ipswich homeowners to be wary of door-to-door tradespeople offering driveway repairs.

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Scammers promising new driveways and repairs to tired ones are making their rounds in Ipswich, according to the fair trading watchdog.

The Office of Fair Trading has warned Ipswich residents to be aware when making deals with tradespeople claiming to offer bitumen services.

It’s a scam that’s targeted many Queenslanders over the years, but with a lot of people home due to Covid restrictions, residents are being warned that door-to-door scammers are ramping up their operations.

One particular bitumen trader has visited businesses in the Karrabin area this week offering a “hotmix deal”, stating they had left over materials.

The trader is using a van with no business logo and is going by the name of Bob.

Fair Trading commissioner Victoria Thomson said itinerant bitumen layers often left consumers out of pocket.

“They sometimes provide invoices that appear legitimate but when consumers try to follow up with the trader using the details on them they discover they’ve used false addresses and contact details,” Ms Thomson said.

“Bitumen bandits are complete scammers and OFT has heard reports of them travelling in areas surrounding Ipswich.”

She said the leftover bitumen spiel was a common tactic but scammers sometimes varied their sales pitches.

“Sometimes watered-down bitumen is laid on ungraded or poorly graded ground and consumers find themselves further out of pocket as they later have to pay another trader to have it removed and replaced,” she said.

“Sometimes the scammers start by quoting a low cost to seal the deal and then try to force consumers to pay thousands of dollars on the spot.

“Consumers are almost forced to comply because, if the work isn’t finished, they can’t get their car out of the garage.

“Sometimes the scammers simply take large deposits, perform no work, and never return.

“There is no way to get a refund as these types of traders usually vanish.”

Under the Australian Consumer Law, consumers have extra rights if they receive unsolicited approaches by traders at their homes.

Door-to-door traders must advise consumers about the 10-day cooling-off period and it is illegal for them to accept payment or commence any

services during this time.

Door to door traders must leave your premises if you ask them to and they must not approach any residence displaying a ‘do not knock’ notice or sticker.

Queensland residents can order a free sticker from the OFT website.

Anyone who believes they have come across these scammers can report them to the Office of Fair Trading on 137468.