Police are warning Aussies to think twice when finding a tradie online after a spike in scam artists sees thousands of dollars flushed down the drain.
About to jump on a find-a-tradie platform like hipages or Oneflare in search of a quote for your next kitchen reno?
Well, these websites may not be as safe as we first thought. Several scammers masquerading as tradies working for real businesses have reportedly spent years worming their way behind enemy lines to prey on everyday Aussies hunting for the best price on their project.
These fake tradesmen respond to ads posted by potential victims, pretending to be employees for real-world businesses in the area.
They then go on to arrange fraudulent quotes under the business’s name and, in some cases, even send out draftsmen to measure up the work and add to their legitimate status.
In this case, the draftsman is just as much a victim as the customer, similarly duped by an advertisement posted by the scammer for a job they will never see a dime for.
Once the ”paperwork” is squared away, the scammers will ask for a materials deposit – often far above the 6.5 per cent deposit limit placed on builders.
But when the cheque clears, the Financial Crime Squad says these pretenders are nowhere to be found.
“After the victim pays the deposit, the scammer stops replying and the work never commences,” said the police spokesperson.
“In Western Australia alone, the losses are estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.”
Since 2021, this same scam has seen 100 victims fork out over 600k for a fake quote, with one unlucky Aussie seeing $80,000 disappear into thin air.
For most victims, the usual theft limit sits around $5k to $10k.
It’s unclear how the scammers infiltrated the find-a-tradie websites or which ones they frequented, but police believe they are likely working offshore – making prosecution difficult.
But Detective First Class Constable Revill insisted inquiries are underway to track down the missing funds and encouraged anyone who is a victim of the “elaborate” ruse to come forward.
“In many instances, those responsible are going to extreme lengths to legitimise the ruse,” he said.
“We are very concerned by the rising number of reports, and we are urging the community to consider the potential risks associated with these types of transactions.”
How to outsmart a fake tradie
- Don’t rush into making a decision.
- Shop around for a quote that fits your job.
- Before committing to the work, check to see if the tradie or company is genuine. Look up their ABN and check with the company to verify the tradie’s employment.
- Never make a sizable payment up front, in cash or in full. Builders are only legally allowed to ask for a 6.5 per cent deposit before they begin work.
- Ask for references and contact details of previous clients.
- Don’t sign any agreement until you’re ready.
Detective Revill also warned Aussies to watch out for ”today only” offers, which usually signal that a scammer is close by trying to nick your hard-earned cash.
“If something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” he added.
