Irish Gypsies back in Queensland with old consumer ripoff

The Irish Gypsies are back ripping off individuals and businesses with their well-practised bitumen scam.

They have targeted Ipswich in the past and were last reported on Brisbane's southside.

Ipswich residents - particularly those in the eastern suburbs - should be on the lookout for these swindlers.

Last time, one businessman at Lower Cross Street Goodna was swindled out of thousands of dollars over a dodgy bitumen job.

The Irish Gypsies laid white sand over the top of their sub-standard work, telling the small business owner the sand was needed to "cure" the bitumen.

Only when the sand washed away a few days later, did the extent of the wafer thin coating of bitumen become obvious.

The Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading has issued the following warning against these dodgy characters:

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading
The Honourable Peter Lawlor
13/12/2009

Dodgy bitumen trader alert for Brisbane southside area

Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor today warned residents around Eight Mile Plains and Acacia Ridge to beware of dodgy bitumen traders targeting the area.

Mr Lawlor said the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) had received information of residents being approached by a group of men offering to lay hot mix driveways.

"The group consists of a male with a strong Irish accent and four or five males who are the labourers," Mr Lawlor said.

"They have approached people saying they have left over bitumen from their last job.

"They do the driveway job and give a price on completion. The work is sub-standard and cash is usually always demanded."

Mr Lawlor said one Acacia Ridge resident who agreed to the work was sprung with a $5,000 bill.

"No upfront quote was given so the resident was alarmed at the cost and also intimidated by the group of men, who demanded their money," he said.

"Another resident in Eight Mile Plains paid $9,000."

Mr Lawlor said anyone approached by the men should try and get their vehicle registration details and advise the OFT immediately on 13 13 04.

He said these particular traders had been previously spotted in the Bayside area and that they may be operating in surrounding suburbs or regions now.

Under the Fair Trading Act 1989, door-to-door sales of any goods or service of more than $75 must come with a 10 day cooling off period and payment cannot be made until after then.

Buyers should get two forms - one explaining the cooling off period and one which can be used to cancel the contract if so desired.

"Door-to-door traders must produce an identity card with the dealer's full name and address," Mr Lawlor said.

"They are only allowed to contact customers between 9am and 6pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am and 5pm on Saturdays.

"Fines of up to $54,000 apply to individuals and $270,000 to companies for breaches of the Fair Trading Act."

Report any scams or suspicious offers to the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04

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PAUL TULLY: PaulGTully@gmail.com
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