Thelma, a volunteer at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, received a home repairs pamphlet in her mailbox. She lives in Wheelers Hill, Victoria. She was, despite being initially sceptical, calle the number.
Con men were on her doorstep within 15 minutes promising to fix her roof. While working, one of the con men told her a sob story about his wife and child. A good-hearted Thelma paid them $4500.
Thelma is one of hundreds of Victorians ripped off by travelling con men. Consumer Affairs Victoria received 207 such complaints with more than $477,000 lost in 2016/17.
Now, Victorian government is has launched a campaign to help people sport the signs of danger.
Minister for Consumer affairs Malene Kairouz unveiled the campaign. It aims to warn Victorians to be wary of con men which can come knocking on their doors or approach them offering to paint the house, fix the roof or work in the garden.
Minster Marlene Kairouz said, “Always be careful about accepting unsolicited offers for maintenance work on your property and don’t be afraid to ask someone to leave if it does not feel right.”
