May 05, 2010

Fire ant scam hits Queensland

REPORTS of three men posing as fire ant inspectors in a bid to rip  off Logan residents have outraged Biosecurity Queensland officials.


http://www.thereporter.com.au/

REPORTS of three men posing as fire ant inspectors in a bid to rip off Logan residents have outraged Biosecurity Queensland officials.

A Daisy Hill resident was recently asked to pay $50 to three men who claimed to be Logan City Council officers and requested a property inspection for fire ants.

Biosecurity Queensland control centre director, Neil O'Brien, said the incident was a genuine concern.

"The fight against fire ants is a serious issue and our inspectors play a very important role and they would never charge a fee to inspect anyone's property," he said.

"Biosecurity Queensland officers always have a Queensland Government identification card clearly visible."

Residents can request a site inspection of their property for fire ants by contacting Biosecurity Queensland on 132 523 or visit www.biosecutiry.qld.gov.au to fill out an online request.

Logan City residents are reminded to remain wary of potential fraudsters after a number of recent incidents involving men posing as Council officers.

In January, a number of residents were asked to make rates payments to men claiming to be from Logan City Council.

City governance, finance and water committee chairperson, Councillor Luke Smith (Division 6) said residents had a number of methods for paying their Council rates and other payments, none of which involved door-to-door collection.

"Residents are never required to hand over money for rates bills under any circumstances to anyone who comes knocking on their door," he said.

"If any resident is approached by someone claiming to be from the council and asking for some sort of payment, they should refuse to pay."