BIGGEST SHONKS & SCAMS

Have you been stung? Special report

THE tiny team of scambusters at the Office of Fair Trading on the Gold Coast face mounting caseloads and increasingly innovative schemes – but the results speak for themselves.

More than $1.846 million was returned to consumers in the past two financial years after 6090 complaints from the public.

Gold Coast principal investigator Paul Hayes and regional manager Sonya Farr said it was a hectic job dissecting complex disputes and stepping in for vulnerable residents.

Mr Hayes, an investigator since 2005, said his team of 11 had launched investigations into 1278 matters in the past two years “and quite a few were prosecutions”.

“I’ve seen some big changes. From the times when we would probably try and conciliate and negotiate with traders, to now when we do a lot more prosecutions and enforcement.”

Mr Hayes said consumers were becoming savvier and apt at spotting questionable business practices.

“These days, it’s often likely more consumers will fall prey to a deceptively simple scam, rather than an elaborate ruse.”

Mr Hayes said elderly people often tended to “feel like they have to pay up straight away”.

“The itinerant bitumen bandits, for example, tend to target more elderly people. They’re more trusting.

“I always say to people you should be able to see it, touch it, it should be available straight away if you’re buying something.”

Ms Farr said: “The majority of traders are doing the right thing. We have a good education program as well and I think that contributes. We’re not just here for consumers. we’re here to help traders understand their requirements as well.”