It’s been a busy few weeks for WA ScamNet with things like a new pyramid chain letter trying to capitalise on the global recession and a dodgy sports result/share market prediction scheme in which at least 100 Western Australians gambled away their money.

On a more positive note WA ScamNet has seen success during a recent investigation into Austria-based Trademark Publishers (TMP). TMP had been sending unsolicited invoices to Australian businesses which have a registered trademark. They were offering to list the businesses on an ‘International registry’ at a cost of $1,450 for a 3 year subscription but this ‘International registry’ is just a poorly designed website, with no regulatory value.

WA ScamNet identified 116 trademarks across Western Australia, belonging to 96 businesses, and wrote to all those involved to warn them about TMP. WA ScamNet also alerted other Fair Trading agencies across the country and several followed our lead and wrote to businesses.

As a result of this action, TMP appear to have removed the Australian business portal from their homepage signalling a possible end to this scam in WA and the rest of the country. However, WA ScamNet is continuing to monitor TMP and advises all consumers and businesses to be mindful of any type of unsolicited invoices.

WA ScamNet is a free service provided by Consumer Protection. Our team aims to combat rip-offs and frauds by profiling and giving advice on prevalent types of scams. We let consumers know how to recognise scams and what to do when receiving suspect emails, letters or phone calls. WA ScamNet also provides information to law enforcement agencies in Australia and overseas.

In October, Consumer Protection responded to 1779 emails about scams and our helpline advisors dealt with 343 scam-related calls. If you think you’ve been a victim, either email WA ScamNet or phone 1300 30 40 54.

Anne Driscoll
Commissioner for Consumer Protection