Departmental media releases |
Please note that the following files are in PDF format.
May 2013
Beware bitumen bandits in Mt Larcom - 07/05/13
The Office of Fair Trading is investigating a number of reports of a group of itinerant traders offering bitumen laying services in the Mt Larcom area.
April 2013
Dangers of using baby bean bags as bedding - 22/04/13
The rising popularity of baby bean bags has prompted the Office of Fair Trading to issue a warning about the potential risks associated with these products.
Office of Fair Trading aims to increase consumer awareness in Cape York Indigenous communities - 16/04/13
The Office of Fair Trading will encourage young Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander consumers to assert their consumer rights as part of an education outreach program in Cape York starting tomorrow (17 April).
Lighting seller ordered to pay compensation for not supplying goods - 15/04/13
A Gold Coast businessman has been fined $10 000 and ordered to pay $14 445 compensation in the Southport Magistrates Court (12 April 2013) for failing to supply LED lights.
Online sportswear retailer fined - 10/04/13
A Brisbane online retailer has been fined $15 000 in the Richlands Magistrates Court (8 April) for not supplying goods within a reasonable time.
A Brisbane imports company and its director have been fined a total of $75 000 in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court (2 April 2013) for stocking unsafe toys and cosmetics.
March 2013
Tips for snatch strap safety this Easter break - 28/03/13
Four-wheel drive enthusiasts planning to make the most of the Easter break are reminded to be safe when using vehicle recovery straps.
Travelling conmen expose neighbourhood to asbestos - 28/03/13
Householders are being warned of the dangers of itinerant traders following a report of roof cleaners contaminating a neighbourhood in the northern suburbs of Brisbane with asbestos.
Bitumen bandit fined for flouting door-to-door rules - 26/03/13
A bitumen bandit was fined $3000 and ordered to pay $3000 compensation in the Ipswich Magistrates Court (18 March) for breaching door-to-door trading laws.
Small business owners urged to take stock on Consumer Rights Day - 15/03/13
The Office of Fair Trading celebrated World Consumer Rights Day today (15 March) with the launch of an online tool to help small business comply with consumer protection law.
Itinerant traders spotted in Scarborough - 15/03/13
The Office of Fair Trading has received reports of a group of itinerant traders offering roof painting services in the Scarborough area.
February 2013
Gold Coast businessman fined $16 000 for phony job ads - 18/02/13
A Gold Coast businessman who advertised phony positions at his company was convicted and fined $16 000 in the Southport Magistrates Court on Friday (15 February) for misleading job hunters.
Property agent prosecuted for trust account breaches - 4/02/13
A resident letting agent was permanently banned from holding a real estate licence and ordered to pay $4282 restitution in the Southport Magistrates Court (1 February) for taking bond money from a trust account while working at student apartments in South Brisbane.
December 2012
Sunshine Coast window installer fined $20 000 - 21/12/12
A Sunshine Coast businessman was fined $20 000 and ordered to pay $1000 compensation in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court last week (13 December) for accepting payment for work he did not complete.
Itinerant trader docked $12 000 for dodgy driveways - 21/12/12
An itinerant trader was fined $12 000 and ordered to pay $8000 compensation in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court (13 December) for breaching door-to-door laws.
Property agent and company fined $70 000 - 12/12/12
A property manager and his company were fined a total of $70 000 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today (12 December) for trust account breaches.
Bitumen bandits spotted in Morayfield - 06/12/12
The Office of Fair Trading is warning Morayfield residents to be wary of bitumen bandits going door-to-door in the area.
November 2012
Gold Coast property agents fined $50 000 - 19/11/12
A Gold Coast property salesman and the company he worked for were fined today (19 November) for illegally taking money from a trust account, while the company´s director was fined for allowing the transactions to happen.
Operation ends in a win for Queensland holiday makers - 05/11/12
An operation targeting unfair contract terms in travel agent contracts has resulted in a win for Queensland holiday makers.
October 2012
Travelling conmen in Wide Bay Burnett - 29/10/12
Wide Bay Burnett residents are urged to be on the lookout for travelling conmen offering cheap roof and driveway restoration door-to-door.
Warning on furniture tumble risks- 26/10/12
The Office of Fair Trading has renewed its warning about the risks of unstable furniture and appliances following the tragic death of a child in Western Australia earlier this week (23 October).
Door-to-door conman pinged for poor patio paint job - 25/10/12
A travelling conman from the UK was fined $2500 and ordered to pay compensation to his elderly victim in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court yesterday (24 October).
Safety campaign aims to halt rise in burns to children - 18/10/12
Each week in Queensland a child suffers serious burns from hair straighteners. That´s the stark reality behind the Office of Fair Trading´s latest safety campaign, Straight off, straight out of reach.
Former Cleaner Energy directors fined $215 000 - 12/10/12
Two former directors of solar panel company Cleaner Energy Pty Ltd were convicted and fined $215 000 (combined) in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court today (11 October) for offences relating to the unsolicited sale of solar power systems.
Used car film puts consumers In the driver´s seat - 11/10/12
A film to help Indigenous consumers or those from non-English speaking backgrounds avoid the pitfalls of buying a used car was launched today (11 October) by the Office of Fair Trading.
September 2012
Consumer alert: Fenwick Actors Models Pty Ltd - 24/09/12
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning consumers against dealing with talent management company Fenwick Actors Models Pty Ltd and its operators Courtnie Thomas (aka Courtney Elice) and Cassandra Thomas (aka Sandi Alexander).
Caboolture hostel owner and company fined $15 000 - 17/09/12
A Caboolture businessman and his company were fined $15 000 in the Caboolture Magistrates Court (14 September) for illegally imposing a ´no refund´ condition on customers.
Surf instructor fined $10 000 - 13/09/12
A Sunshine Coast surf instructor was fined $10 000 and ordered to pay compensation to two consumers in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court today (13 September).
Logan property agent and company fined - 10/09/12
A Logan property agent and her resident letting company were fined $15 000 in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court (7 September) for 24 breaches relating to a trust account.
Consumer alert: Edith Burgess and ADU Pty Ltd - 05/09/12
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning consumers against dealing with Edith Burgess and her Gold Coast company ADU Pty Ltd trading as ADUTravel and ADU Unlimited (not to be confused with an unrelated company Accommodation Down Under trading as ADU Holidays).
August 2012
Brisbane real estate agent fined for trust account breaches - 31/08/12
A Brisbane real estate agent and her property company were fined $180 000 by the Cleveland Magistrates Court on 23 August for trust account breaches.
Cairns real estate agent and companies fined - 31/08/12
A Cairns real estate agent and his two companies were fined $22 500 in the Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday (30 August) for 58 breaches of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000, including 29 unauthorised trust account withdrawals.
Knowing your rights key to protection from rogue doorto-door traders - 17/08/12
The Office of Fair Trading is reminding consumers of their rights when it comes to door-to-door traders amid concerns about several large cases they are currently investigating.
George Sekuloski and Bulk Imports & Exports - 16/08/12
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning consumers about dealing with George Sekuloski (also known as Goce Sekuloski) and his company Bulk Imports & Exports Pty Ltd.
Would you like an extended warranty with that? - 09/08/12
The Queensland Office of Fair Trading is highlighting its concerns about the value of extended warranties following the collapse of extended warranties provider, U-nited Warranties Pty Ltd.
July 2012
Motor dealer fined for misleading buyers - 23/07/12
A Gold Coast motor dealer was convicted and fined $25 000 in the Southport Magistrates Court (20 July) for 23 breaches of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 (PAMDA) including odometer misrepresentation.
Unlawful tooth auction comes back to bite - 18/07/12
A man who removed and auctioned his tooth in the name of charity has been convicted and sentenced to 200 hours community service in the Noosa Magistrates Court today (18 July) for conducting an unlawful appeal for support and converting the money for his own use.
Gold Coast resident letting agency fined - 13/07/12
A Gold Coast resident letting company and its director were fined $27 500 in the Southport Magistrates Court today (13 July) for 72 breaches of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 (PAMDA).
Brisbane real estate company fined $18 000 for trust account breaches - 13/07/12
A Brisbane real estate company was fined $18 000 and its director ordered to perform 120 hours of community service in the Holland Park Magistrates Court today (13 July) for breaches of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000.
Consumer alert: Elivisi Moli trading as All Qld Tree Services - 10/07/12
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is renewing its warning to Queenslanders about the suspected unlawful business practices of a tree lopper who has been door-knocking neighbourhoods for work.
Nothing novel about deadly magnets- 03/07/12
The Office of Fair Trading has renewed its warnings about the dangers of small, rare earth magnets to children following the publication of a safety notice by the federal government today.
June 2012
Cairns money lender fined - 29/06/12
A Cairns money lender and his company were convicted and fined $17 500 yesterday (28 June) in the Cairns Magistrates Court for obstructing and misleading an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) inspector.
Itinerant tree lopper on the prowl on the Sunshine Coast - 28/06/12
Sunshine Coast residents are urged to be wary of itinerant traders after a report of a door-to-door tree lopper operating in the area.
Beware itinerant traders in the far north - 27/06/12
Cairns and Atherton Tablelands residents are urged to be on the lookout for itinerant traders offering cheap roof restoration and bitumen door-to-door.
Real estate agent fined for lying to steal bond refunds - 14/06/12
A Brisbane real estate salesperson was fined $20 000 and ordered to pay $22 180 restitution in the Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday (13 June) for making false representations to claim former tenants´ bond monies.
Safe specs vital for astronomical marvels - 01/06/12
The Office of Fair Trading is warning that safe specs are vital for amateur astronomers and curious Queenslanders as they look skyward next week (6 June) for the rare transit of Venus.
May 2012
Kit home trader fined $465 000 and ordered to pay compensation - 25/05/12
A steel kit home trader, Matthew Willaims (note spelling) and his former company ASK Homes Pty Ltd have been fined $465 000 and ordered to pay $312 782.56 compensation to consumers for accepting payments for homes that were never delivered and for falsely claiming to hold a builders licence.
Townsville man agrees not to trade with Indigenous consumers - 21/05/12
Townsville man Vincenzo (Vincent) Scuderi has agreed not to trade with Indigenous consumers again and to donate $10 000 to a local Indigenous charity after he was found to be charging more than 2000 per cent interest per annum on illegal loans to local communities.
Sunshine Coast business owner fined - 10/05/12
A Sunshine Coast businessman and his marketing company were convicted and fined $9000 today (10 May) by the Maroochydore Magistrates Court for wrongly accepting payment for advertising.
April 2012
Hop to bunk bed safety this Easter weekend - 05/04/12
Families taking children on holidays over the Easter break are reminded to check the safety of bunk beds.
Last reviewed 07/05/2013 |
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