Fake council workers target Burnett households in new scam

A scam involving tradies claiming to work for the South Burnett Council has already ensnared some local residents.

South Burnett Council Mayor Brett Otto - a scam targeting Burnett households involves people pretending to be council workers.

The South Burnett Regional Council has warned residents to stay vigilant about potential scammers who may come knocking at the door.

The warning comes in the wake of an apparent scam in regional Queensland involving false tradespeople claiming to work for the council and offering bitumen laying services for people's homes with “leftover” product.

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Residents are warned that the vehicles of the scammers are reported to have interstate vehicle registrations and their quality of work is to a poor or non-existent standard.

A council spokesman said residents and businesses were advised that neither council nor contractors would approach anyone within the region with unsolicited services.

“These false tradespeople have no affiliation with the South Burnett Regional Council,” he said.

“South Burnett residents and businesses are urged to be cautious with the contractors you engage with and not to accept unsolicited services from anyone.

“Some locals have been scammed already,” he said.

A council spokesman said to help consumers, the Office of Fair Trading produces free ‘Do-not-Knock’ stickers for them to place on their letter box or front door.

Residents have taken to social media sharing their experiences within similar suspect circumstances.

Cliff Carey, of South Burnett, said he had an Irishman come to his home offering leftover concrete.

Simone Kucyk, of Nanango, said she had a man with an accent knocked on her door on Monday.

“Dogs went nuts and I told him the gate is closed and I’m not interested,” Mr Carey said.

Kingaroy residents Bryn Matthews, Greg Pomfret and Carl Price all confirmed a ‘tradie’ who knocked at the door attempting to sell a service with leftover product was Irish.

Kelly Newton, of South Burnett, said one knocked at her door.

South Burnett Council Mayor Brett Otto - a scam targeting Burnett households involves people pretending to be council workers.

“He was a freak, he drove right around our house and then drove on our lawn right up to the front door,” she said.

Burnett resident Adam Connor said he knew someone who was scammed by someone similar.

“(He) paid $110 for a solar powered clothes dryer, and when it turned up it was a roll of clothesline,” he said.

A council spokesman said to help consumers, the Office of Fair Trading produced free Do-not-Knock stickers for them to place on their letter box or front door.

“It is an offence under the ACL for traders to approach a residence displaying one of these notices,” he said.

Residents are urged to contact the police of any suspicious activity.