Helping the Community

Tickets for premium events sell like hotcakes – literally in minutes for some of the wonderful sport and music events that get hosted in WA and around Australia! If you miss out, don’t be fooled by scammers and scalpers when you see offers for tickets on social media, online classifieds and resale sites. Two things to know: it’s always safest to buy tickets through authorised ticket agents, and some event tickets have “restricted resale”, making it illegal for anyone to sell them at inflated price (more than a 10% mark-up). If in doubt, go to official ticket sites, which also have resale pages for individuals to legitimately sell their tickets when they can no longer attend events. Ways to avoid scams: if you’re looking at an offer online, check where the supposed seller is located – if they’re not in Australia, they’re unlikely to be real or have genuine tickets for sale. Another warning flag – if they ask for payment by bank transfer or gift cards, you could be at risk of being scammed. Third tip – if possible, buy with a credit card, and if you think you’ve bought a ticket that may be fake, first ask for a refund; and second your bank may be able to give you a chargeback on your credit card. Listen to our podcast for more information on all these topics.

Many people want to plan ahead for the cost of their funeral, to reduce this burden on their family at a time of much sadness. We talk to Nina Weir from Consumer Protection about some new rules for funeral companies, and options for planning the cost of a funeral. Companies must now be very clear upfront about the total costs of a funeral, so there are no post-funeral price shocks. Price details of each component must be easily available on their website or brochures, and companies can be fined if that information is misrepresented or isn’t publicly available. For those looking to pay for a funeral before it’s needed, the best, safest and simplest option is to save up for it – put your money in a savings or term deposit account, and make sure your loved ones have access to the account details. Prepaid funerals and funeral insurance both have risks. And a reminder, if you were a member of the collapsed Youpla Group/Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund, you can apply to the program set up by the Government until the end of November, for the funeral benefits of members. Listen to our podcast for the pros and cons to help you choose what to do, and more details on all of these issues.

Now that people are travelling more freely again, we look at consumer law and how it protects you when you’re buying travel products – whether it’s flights, cruises, tours, or accommodation etc. There’s even more small print than ever, post-pandemic, and it’s important to read it so you know what your travel contract gives you and doesn’t give you. Like any product, the travel service that you buy must be as it’s described in the brochure, advertising, or ticket. This was highlighted recently when the itinerary of a booked cruise was changed at the last minute. Whilst this may be permitted due to weather for example, in this case it was for proposed boat maintenance and clearly unacceptable for the travel purchased. Fortunately for those passengers, Consumer Protection was able to intervene and the cruise went ahead as originally planned. Again, like all consumer protection, remedies may include refunds or alternative bookings, and always best to talk to the travel provider first to try and resolve issues – whether that’s a travel agent or direct to the airline/hotel etc. Paying by credit card also gives you some protection, but you can always contact Consumer Protection if you want advice or need their help. Listen to our podcast with Nina Weir from Consumer Protection for their travel advice.

When shopping for those special Mother’s Day gifts, it’s good to know Australia Consumer Law is there to back you up – if things are faulty, turn out to be not fit for purpose, or the wrong thing arrives in the post. What’s not covered are changes of mind, and that includes cases where mum doesn’t like the gift or it doesn’t fit! In those cases, talk to the store about their return policies as they still may give you a refund or replacement if the goods are returned in good order. Gift cards are a good option so mum can get what she really wants. They now have to be valid for a minimum of 3 years, but still encourage mum to go shopping sooner than later, just in case the business closes up shop for some reason. And of course, be careful if you’re shopping on line – use reputable online shops and check consumer reviews. Listen here for more information and tips to help make your Mother’s Day gift successful!

In our latest podcast with Nina Weir from Consumer Protection WA, we talk about the newest type of bank scams. As we become more aware and better at avoiding scams, the scammers become more sophisticated with their attempts to trick us. They are using new technology to make scam calls look even more like they are coming from our bank, for example – text messages seeming to come from a genuine bank phone number. More than ever, it’s essential to be wary. Do not click on a link or phone a number that’s sent to you by text. Banks do not communicate that way. Do not follow a request to transfer money to a given account to “keep it safe”. Banks protect our money in our own account – they would never ask us to transfer it to a different account. These are examples of how people are being caught out by bank impersonation scams. Do not feel put under pressure to act – practise the pause, and contact the bank yourself to verify any unusual requests. Listen to our podcast for more information and tips on how to be scam savvy.

This week we talk to Nina Weir from Consumer Protection WA, about the switch from paper bills to email billing. With more and more companies encouraging us to ditch paper bills, and some companies now charging customers for the cost of printing and posting a paper bill, it’s time to make the switch. Take a look at any paper bills you’re still getting to see if you’re being charged for them, and for information on how to change over to email billing. There may be some exemptions to those charges for those on various concessions, or who require a paper bill for accessibility, but check with each company for their position. Email billing has convenience and some security benefits for many people, but also the possibility of scammers tricking us with fake bills, so make sure you always check your bills, know what and when you’re due to be billed, and don’t click on links in suspicious looking emails. Listen to our podcast for more information on all of this.

This week we talk to Nina Weir from Consumer Protection WA, with our regular reminder warning about button batteries – and also those little high powered-magnets that might be stuck on the fridge. To little children, they are bright, round and shiny and easily end up popped in the mouth and swallowed. Both products do enormous damage to our insides. Toys using button batteries must have a child-safe cover on them and Consumer Protection do regular checks in stores, but don’t assume, if a toy is in the shop, that it’s safe! If you think your child might have swallowed a battery or magnet, go to the Emergency Department as soon as possible. Listen to our podcast for more information and tips on what to do and what to look for.

You may not think about consumer rights when buying your next family pet, but Consumer Protection receives many complaints such as pets arriving with significant health issues (due to improper treatment), not matching the description or photo of your chosen animal, or refunds and deposits not being returned when warranted. Pet breeders must supply the animal you ordered, without health issues that aren’t breed-related, and must meet various promises based on pedigree and other characteristics. So it’s important to make sure you buy through a reputable and registered breeder, and if possible, find someone to check them out in person, especially if you buy online – not one wants to encourage puppy farms and other forms of animal mistreatment! If your new pet has a genuine issue, you may be entitled to a financial remedy through consumer law, even if you keep the pet. Like any purchase, this doesn’t apply for a plain change of mind, or for private purchases not through a registered seller. Listen to our podcast with Nina Weir from Consumer Protection WA, for more information and tips, and how to contact Consumer Protection if you do need their help.

Buying a second-hand vehicle? Make sure you don’t get sold a lemon! Buyers are always advised to get a vehicle mechanical check before making that purchase – now more than ever, with people potentially putting up flood-damaged vehicles for sale. Dealers don’t have to tell you if a vehicle is flood-affected, so ask the question! Other sensible checks include a vehicle history on the PPSR register at https://www.ppsr.gov.au, and checking the dealer licence and registration on the Consumer Protection website. Remember, the same consumer laws don’t apply for private sales. In this week’s podcast with Nine Weir from Consumer Protection WA, we talk about all these things as well as a chat about buy now, pay later cards and how to use these responsibly so you don’t get into financial strife.

Our Valentine’s Day podcast is a reminder not to open our heart to scammers. As more people look for love online, more scammers try to lure us into giving them our money as well as our heart. It’s so easy to have our heart-strings pulled when we just want to love and be loved. The number of people conned is significant – if someone online is genuine, they will understand a wish to stay safe and make sure they are who they say they are. Listen to our podcast with Nina Weir from Consumer Protection to find out about the red flags around online dating – what are the signs of a romance scam, and how to make sure you fall in love and not into a con.

Good news! In today’s catch up with Nina Weir from Consumer Protection WA, we hear how some of the recent flood and disaster-related scams have been shut down as a result of reports to the ScamNet team. We then talk about summer fun, with watery Wet Season topics such as the cautions and precautions for good water safety around outdoor waterways, as well as home pools and swimming pools. And, on the topic of staying safe while having fun, we have reminders about trampoline safety and what we need to know about button battery hazards. Listen to our podcast for a wealth of tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.

The last thing we need in disastrous times are scammers tricking us out of money. So listen up for details of two particular scams doing the rounds, preying on people affected by or donating to those affected by the Kimberley floods. Plus, some great tips from Nina Weir from Consumer Protection WA on what to look out for and how to avoid scams. In particular, be very wary of offers of relief funding and requests for donations through social media. Talk to your friends if you receive strange offers or messages, report potential scams, and check out the official channels such as the Disaster Response Hotline on 1800 032 965 and the hubs set up in Broome, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing.

We caught up with Tom Chapman in his new role with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, DLGSC Kimberley. Tom tells us a little bit about what DLGSC does to support community organisations, particularly sport and recreation clubs, with their projects, and some of the Department’s other activities. Today, we talk about the North West Travel Subsidy. It’s a scheme for anyone aged 13-18 years in the north west to get funding to subsidise the cost of travelling to participate in recognised inter-regional sports events, representing their club or association. It’s a great financial resource to help ensure our young athletes don’t miss out on the chance to excel at those bigger events. Listen to our podcast to find out about the nitty gritty – what’s available, who’s eligible and how to apply.

In the Kimberley and Western Australia, when we’re buying a car we think about where it might have been regularly used – whether on a mine site or the beach. Now you also need to think flood damage, for cars with Queensland plates that are making their way to WA. Car dealers and auctioneers don’t have to declare flood damage, but they must answer honestly if asked – so ask! In this week’s podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA, we talk about other things to look for – watermarks, checking floor mats and seat covers, and rusty wiring. And the old adage – if a deal is too good to be true, it’s probably too good to be true! Listen for all the details to make sure you don’t get caught out!

The best Mother’s Day gifts are ones that turn up on time, or don’t have to be returned! But if that’s not the case, don’t worry, your gift purchases have the same consumer rights as any other purchase. This week in our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA, we talk about your options when things don’t turn up on time, the different options whether you’ve shopped locally or online, ideas for various types of gift cards, and as always, things to watch out for so you don’t get scammed. Listen here for all these great tips and information to help make your Mother’s Day gift special.

When a tenancy is terminated, you need to know about the processes and your rights for the end of the rental and moving out. Consumer laws lay down the way this must be lawfully handled – the length of notice, etc. If these processes aren’t followed, there are steps to dispute an unlawful eviction. Also know what might happen (and what mustn’t happen) if you don’t leave the property after a lawful eviction! And if you have to leave a property and have nowhere to go? There are places that can assist such as Anglicare and our local financial counselling service at Broome CIRCLE. For more information about all this, listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA.

Before you launch into buying a second-hand boat and getting out on our beautiful waters, there are good things to check and know. Boat shops don’t need to be registered in the same way as car dealers, but if you’re buying from a boat retailer, you have the same consumer rights as buying any other goods – it must be fit for purpose, free from defects, and last a reasonable length of time. Not so for buying privately – the same consumer laws don’t apply and it’s buyer beware. Other tips – check the condition of both the body and motor, and also the trailer. And as always, watch out for boat scams if you’re buying online and sight unseen (even better, make sure you get to test the boat out on the water). For more information about all these issues, listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA.

Do you know who to go to when something goes wrong with a vehicle you’ve purchased? This week’s podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA talks about your 3 rights: “stat warranty” is the statutory cover for a limited number of defects and time; new car warranty is the warranty given by manufacturers including things like safety recalls for all vehicles of a certain type; and consumer law rights are those that you can always turn to – assuring you that your vehicle is fit for purpose and free from defects. So when things go wrong, start where you purchased the vehicle! Listen to get the full details about your consumer protections.

This week’s topic with Consumer Protection’s Tom Chapman is a general chat about terms and conditions. What do they mean? How important are they and what goods and services have them? Do you think about the terms and conditions that apply to the takeaway pizza that you buy?! Such goods do have “standard form contracts” where you can request variations to what’s on offer, but mostly you take it or leave it. Contracts stating “no refunds” can’t override consumer law when it comes to a major failure of goods and services, but it’s still important to know what you’re signing up for. Take event tickets – it’s smart to know your options, for example if the date is changed. Do those terms allow you to sell a ticket on and if not, how much would you stand to lose or can afford to lose? Listen to our podcast for information about all this and more.

Many of us are noticing rising prices across a whole range of goods and services. Here’s some information about some of the help available – including what Consumer Protection can do and restrictions to stop price gouging on some goods. Price increases in the supply chain are hard, but now more than ever, it’s important to be aware of our consumer rights to make sure we’re not being misled or overcharged for other reasons. Consumer law helps ensure you get value for money. And one upside: increased prices on some goods implies a consumer rights warranty benefit! The more you pay, the longer you can reasonably expect something to last! Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA for more information about all these points.

Continuing our car buying theme, this week we hear about mechanical checks to do before buying a vehicle and the differences between buying from a licensed dealer or through private sale. We also discuss different types of warranties – from “stat” warranties and new car warranties to consumer guarantees. Each cover you in different ways (or not, in the case of private sales). New car warranties can be transferred to purchasers and may last for several years, so are worth enquiring about – IF the previous owners have kept up a good service history. Otherwise the warranty may be invalidated.  Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA for more information about all these points.

Dealers aren’t permitted to sell vehicles that might be unroadworthy or fail an over the pits test – Consumer Protection Compliance Officers can put green stickers on them at the car yard. A green sticker is not green for go! It means the vehicle is unfit for sale and the dealer must remedy defects before selling it. A yellow sticker also means the vehicle is unroadworthy and defects must be fixed and the vehicle inspected to get the defect notice cleared. If you get a yellow sticker or have a major issue shortly after buying a car, it’s worth talking to Consumer Protection for some advice around taking it back to the dealer. These protections don’t apply to private purchases or sales through Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace etc. So wherever you buy your vehicle, it’s worth having it checked by a mechanic beforehand to make sure it’s roadworthy. And if you do have a bad experience, report it to Consumer Protection to help keep the dealers honest by doing the things they’re legally required to do. Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA for more information to help you get a car that’s fit for the purpose of driving it on the road!

We all love to feel loved, but what happens when ‘true love’ turns out to be a true scam? Unfortunately scammers prey on our hopes of finding romance on online apps and websites. ‘Catfishing’ is when scammers use a fake identity and photos to lure us in, developing an online relationship over many weeks or even months and declaring love yet never being willing to meet or talk on the phone or a live video call… and then the crunch – a request for money. How to avoid finding yourself on that hook? Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection for all the warning signs, and don’t be afraid to report being scammed – it could help others avoid the same thing happening.

If you find yourself on a tenancy ‘blacklist’ database, how do you get off it and what information is held about you? Your name must be removed 3 years after the original listing, if you pay off any debt within 3 months, or when you turn 18 (for listings under the age of 18). For court order evictions, you can apply to the court to have those orders set aside and then get your name removed from the database. You can’t be listed for any situation related to domestic violence, or for debts during the COVID tenancy moratorium. But if you believe the listing is inaccurate or unfair, you can also apply to have it removed. Listen to part 2 of our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection for details on all this information.

Tenancy ‘blacklist’ databases – what are they and what do you need to know about them? Tenancy laws set the reasons someone can be put on a tenancy database – essentially these are upon breaching a tenancy agreement, plus receiving a court eviction order or owing more money than is covered by the rental bond. Estate agents must notify you in advance if they use them, and you should also be given notice if you might be put on a database, with the reasons very clearly stated, so you can object or rectify the situation. Listen to part 1 of our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection for details on all this information.

Wild weather and tenancies – who’s responsible for what when it comes to repairs and preparations? What can you expect from your landlord for cleaning up damage and carrying out repairs. But also, what’s your responsibility as a tenant? One thing, make sure you report issues early to prevent them becoming bigger issues. That’s in both the tenant’s and landlord’s interest so they can look after your home and their property. Same goes for both private and community housing. Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA for all the details.

If you want to secure a car that you haven’t yet inspected or test driven, beware of signing a contract as there will be costs if you don’t go ahead and cancel the contract. The good news is these costs are now capped at 5% (down from 15%!), and dealers have to justify what they charge for cancellations. But 5% can still be a significant amount on an expensive car purchase. Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer for the Kimberley, talks about how to check these charges to ensure you’re not being ripped off, as well as possible ways to hold the car until you can inspect and test it.

Christmas is over and you may have received some lovely presents. But what if they don’t work – or what if they’re something you’d never use? How do you return a faulty or unwanted Christmas gift? Can you exchange or get a refund if there’s a “change of mind”? Who’s responsible for postage costs for returned goods? And how do you tactfully get proof of purchase – or are there creative ways of showing proof of purchase? All these questions and more are answered in our podcast with Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley.

What to do if something isn’t right with a gift? You can ask for a refund if it’s faulty or defective, or if it never arrives in the mail. For minor faults, retailers have the right to offer a replacement. Give them a chance to rectify the order, but for major faults you can get a refund in most circumstances. Don’t worry if you haven’t got the original wrapping, and if you don’t have the receipt, there are other ways to show proof of purchase by you or “Santa”. Listen to our podcast to hear about these and other last minute Christmas tips.

We wish everyone a happy – and safe – Christmas, and on that topic, our latest podcast with Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley talks about product safety. This includes checking decorations and lights that we’ve boxed up for the year, as well as what to look out for with new decorations. If you’re putting lights outside your house, make sure they are intended for outdoor use, especially with potential wet weather! A bit of thought in advance about toys can also help ensure we stay safe, especially things like button batteries and self-assembly trampolines. Listen to hear details about all these topics.

Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley talks about Christmas advertising and promotions. Retailers must not mislead us with their advertising, yet it’s important to read the small print in the “up to X% off” and “buy one get one free” promotions. Check what’s rung up at the checkout, and keep your receipts. Gift cards now come with protection against expiry and can be used over multiple purchases. Your consumer rights cover purchases from those engaging in trade but not from individual sellers – make sure you know the difference. Listen to hear details about all these items.

Online shopping is great to find those perfect Christmas gifts, but how do you shop smart to make sure things work out well? You have the same consumer rights with online shopping, although they can be harder to enforce when buying from overseas. Checking if a shop has an ABN is the easiest way to know if it’s an Australian business. Smart online shopping is about more than just the price – checking product and shop reviews from other people may help you avoid disappointment. Make sure you’re using a secure payment option, and know what to do if the order doesn’t arrive or is faulty when it does. Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley, talks to us about all these things so we know what to look out for.

It can be hard to get on with your life when there’s issues at your place and you don’t know how to fix them. That’s where the new Blurred Borders tenancy law resource kit, or “My Place” comes in. My Place is a set of cards that use visual aids, plain language and storytelling to help us understand some basic legal concepts and processes around tenancy. They show things that might happen, things you can do, and other tenancy topics as simple steps to help you be more effective in your place, whether it’s getting things fixed, or being safe, or knowing your responsibilities. Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA to learn more about My Place or go to https://blurredborders.legalaid.wa.gov.au/packs/Tenancy/story-cards to open the story cards.

How much is it worth to prevent a house fire? It’s small things that count with battery-related fire prevention. Batteries are an intense energy source. When that energy is released as heat or fire, it can become self-sustaining and hard to put out. Take care when you’re charging batteries – don’t leave them unattended if there’s no smoke alarm near by; don’t overcharge them; don’t charge them near other flammable objects; and don’t scrimp on cheap batteries or cheap or damaged cables.  Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA to find out more.

Why talk about scams? In this week’s podcast we chat with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA during Scam Awareness Week. Talking about scams can help prevent scams by making us aware of what actually is a scam – sometimes we don’t realise, or don’t want to admit we’ve been tricked. Let’s take away the taboo so that we can get help if we’ve been duped, and also help prevent future scams for ourselves and our friends and family. Listen to hear some tips about things that can catch us all out.

In this week’s podcast with Tom Chapman from Consumer Protection WA, we talk about ticket scalping and the new laws to protect us from over-priced reselling of tickets. Anyone can now sell on a ticket with a maximum of 10% mark-up. This applies no matter how many times a ticket is sold on – i.e., no more than 10% mark-up on the original ticket price. Listen to our podcast to find out more about the details, such as when ticket terms and conditions state “cannot be resold”, competition tickets, and not accepting offers of more than 10% extra!

This week’s podcast with Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley is back to scams because the scammers are always looking for ways to hook you in and rip you off! If you get an unexpected call, and the caller threatens or pressures you to act – don’t be panicked into responding. No legitimate caller will harass you. Take your time, have some healthy suspicion, and tell them you’re going to confirm what they’re telling you and check it out for yourself. Scammers have the means to hijack or appear to come from a genuine or named number, so don’t fooled – if they’re legitimate, they’ll be happy for you to verify the call, but if they sound dubious, they probably are. 

Our second podcast about buying a home looks at what you need to know and check around documentation. Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley describes the offer and acceptance process that is used for most domestic sales and purchases in WA, and the two documents involved – the contract of sale, and the joint form of general conditions. These are standard documents but clauses and variations can be agreed and written into them, so it’s most important not to sign unless both seller and purchaser are in full agreement on all the terms. There’s no cooling off period on offer and acceptance contracts! Listen to our podcast to find out more so you’re prepared when it comes to the paperwork for buying your home.

It’s not all plain sailing when you’re travelling on the road this year! With increased tourism in the Kimberley, travellers needing vehicle repairs or parts may experience delays, and that may have a domino effect on their subsequent bookings. If you run into trouble, such as overheating, suspecting bad fuel or other issues, it may be tempting to drive on but with long distances involved, it’s important to weigh up the costs if you do that and cause the problem to worsen. Plus, what to do when fuel prices don’t match FuelWatch. Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley for more information about the things to consider.

In this first podcast about buying a home, Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley covers some of the basics. In the current tight rental market, some people are turning to buy their own home. It can be a great option but it’s important to understand both the process and the market. Don’t rush in as it can be costly to back out of a contract. Know who’s who and who they represent – the seller’s agent must act in the best interest of the vendor to get them the best price; they’re not there to act for the buyer. There is a code of conduct though, regulated by Consumer Protection, so agents must disclose material facts – listen to our podcast to find out what that means and other key information you should know before you start house hunting.

With more people shopping online these days, it’s one thing to research the goods you want to buy – it’s also important to research the seller. Be sure to buy from legitimate stores – check their reviews, don’t just go for what may be the cheapest online shop. Make sure you’re happy with the return policy before you buy. If goods are faulty or not as described, consider the time and cost of dealing with returns. And with lots of payment options, some like PayPal, eBay and credit cards have extra protection and resolution methods, while others like the “buy now pay later” services may not be as good for the shopper when things go wrong. Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley for more information about all these points.

The second hand goods market is great for picking up a bargain – but do your homework because you don’t have the same consumer rights when buying from private sellers. How do you know if a seller is private or a business? It can be hard to tell, especially with online shopping. It’s good to check the seller’s reviews. Are they selling lots of the same item? Do they have proper contact information? Listen to our podcast with Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley for more information and more tips – and if unsure, dial before you buy. Consumer Protection can give you more advice on what to look out for.

Property tenancy laws are in place to ensure repairs are handled appropriately, but it’s good to know who’s responsible and the timeframes that are reasonable for getting repairs done. This includes urgent repairs for essential services, including when something breaks over a weekend. And consider tenants’ responsibility for reporting breakages and not letting things go un-reported, which might lead to further damage. Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley, talks about all these points as well as what to do if repairs don’t get dealt within that reasonable timeframe.

Consumer directed care packages enable people to purchase the things they need, including paying for services. Their consumer rights are exactly the same as if they paid using cash or card. We recap on those rights with Tom Chapman, Consumer Protection Officer in the Kimberley. If you’re not getting what you paid for under your package, or feel like you’re losing out, it’s important for you, a member of your family or your support worker to contact Consumer Protection for advice.