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Beware the 'Bitumen Bandits': travelling conmen target WA homes

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Consumer Protection WA has issued a warning about so-called 'Bitumen Bandits' operating in the state's south-west, known for ripping off customers with shoddy driveway work.

According to Consumer Protection, travelling conmen with English or Irish accents come to Australia every summer and target WA home and business owners. 

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So far in 2016, the ACCC has received more than 120-thousand scam reports from Australians, with total losses reported of $61-million.

The agency has been forced to issue yet another warning about their dodgy dealings, as signs advertising paving for $14 per square metre have recently cropped up in Bunbury, Boyanup and Donnybrook.

Consumer Protection WA said there had also been reports of dodgy driveway layers operating north of Perth.

Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said home and business owners should be wary.

"Bitumen bandits will try to tempt you with claims of heavily discounted prices, but instead of a bargain you'll likely end up with a sub-standard driveway, laid using cheap and low-quality materials," he said.

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"They may leave a mess or even disappear before they've finished. When you call the mobile phone number it will ring out or be disconnected."

Mr Hillyard says their tactics do change as they try to evade police, immigration and consumer protection or fair trading authorities.

"Previously bitumen bandits just knocked on doors and had their truck and materials with them but now they like to put up road-side signs, post flyers in letterboxes and hand out business cards face-to-face to appear professional," he said.

"We're finding they're impersonating registered Australian businesses by copying names and ABNs. In Bunbury this week a travelling conman going by the name of 'Bill' has been pretending to work for a local business, much to the dismay of the true business owner who doesn't want his reputation damaged."

In a previous case, a WA resident was charged $20,000 for a new driveway.