Consumer Protection is warning West Australian families to steer clear of a childcare service accused of taking tens of thousands of dollars from parents.
An investigation into Blossom Au Pair Australia heard from at least 37 disgruntled customers who claim to have lost more than $37,000 between them.
Blossom Au Pairs has been flagged by Consumer Protection WA. Credit: Getty / web (composite image)
Consumer Protection said most complaints were regarding little to no service being provided once payment was made.
Some customers did receive candidate profiles but said the au pairs were unsuitable, either due to minimal experience with children, no driver’s licence or only being available for a short time due to visa constraints.
Clarkson mother Lara Pimenta paid an upfront fee of $1000 after she was promised care for her one-year-old, Mateo.
With Mateo’s father working fly-in, fly-out, and no family support, Ms Pimenta said she found daycare unsuitable, and was desperate by the time she found Blossom Au Pair Australia via Facebook last September.
The business’ website spuiks an “individually tailored support system” and offers to help families find the “ideal au pair”.
Blossom Au Pair lists several Perth addresses and is registered to Reannon Jade Gibson who has lived in Europe since at least 2019.
“I thought she really wanted to help me and that’s the only reason I paid her before the service was given, because she said she had three girls ready to start at the end of the week,” Pimenta said.
When that failed to eventuate, Lara said the business ignored her calls and emails and was yet to provide the agreed service or refund her money.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake says at least 37 WA families have reported losing a total of $37,219 to Blossom Au Pair since 2019.
“People are desperate for good childcare at the moment,” Blake said.
“They pay the money, mostly on average $1000-1500 per person and then from there on in, they are ghosted”.
When WAtoday spoke with Reannon Jade Gibson she offered to resolve any outstanding disputes, but rejected Consumer Protection’s claims that 37 families were out of pocket $37,000.
“There was no intention to defraud any of our customers and the majority of the complaints were during COVID, a period of time that drastically impacted our business,” Gibson said.
“Some personal circumstances also played a role.
“I fully acknowledge the inconvenience that some of our customers have experienced and as a business we apologise for that.
“If any family feels like they have been wronged, please contact me for resolution.”
Consumer Protection says to protect yourself, use credit cards rather than transfers when paying for services online, check a company’s reviews and only pay a deposit upfront.
9 News Perth
Read more
Can Perth businesses go cashless? Yes – but a new law would change that
Rio Tinto unveils $215 million ‘green steel’ Rockingham facility