Darwin 4 July 2013. The Deputy Commissioner of Consumer Affairs is warning consumers not to deal with Irish travelling conmen touting for bitumen or other home building and maintenance work.

Deputy Commissioner Sandra Otto said that Consumer Affairs had received reports of two unidentified males with Irish/English accents driving a white Toyota Hilux utility and a  4.5 tonne white Hino truck with Queensland registration active in the Katherine and Humpty Doo areas seeking bitumen work.

“The pair are using the familiar spiel of 'working nearby and having some left over materials' and offering consumers a reduced rate for immediate cash work,” she said.

NT residents are urged to avoid dealing with these men and report any sightings or information about them to Consumer Affairs or to Crimestoppers.

Ms Otto said “the public have had enough of these rip offs, particularly when older, more vulnerable people are recurrent victims.  The more help we get from the public, the sooner we can remove these rogue traders from the market and hold them accountable for their offences.”

What to do:

• Don't open the door if you are unsure who the caller is.
• Say no.
  • Record as much information as you can, including their name/s and vehicle registration/s.
• Report them to Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319 or email consumer@nt.gov.au
• Warn friends, family and neighbours.
• Go to https://www.facebook.com/NorthernTerritoryConsumerAffairs
  
• Avoid being tempted by unexpected cheap deals – think twice.