Western Australia's consumer watchdog has issued its third formal warning against a serial fraudster tradie who continues to allegedly scam homeowners by accepting deposits for work he never completes.
Mounting Complaints Against Warnbro Tradie
Trevor James Potter, operating under the business name Ritefix Property Services from Warnbro, has accumulated fifteen fresh complaints from dissatisfied customers. The allegations involve accepting payment for various home improvement services including fencing installations, paving projects, pergola repairs, and guttering work that were promised but never delivered.
The total amount allegedly owed for these undelivered services exceeds $20,000, with Consumer Protection confirming that in some instances, partial refunds were issued or materials were supplied, but none of the contracted work was actually completed by Mr Potter.
A Pattern of Deceptive Behavior
This marks the third occasion since 2018 that Consumer Protection has felt compelled to issue an official public warning about this problematic landscaper. Mr Potter has demonstrated a pattern of operating under multiple aliases and business names to avoid detection.
- He frequently uses his middle name, James, when dealing with customers
- Previous business names include Teejays Property Works, Bluesky Worx, Liven your Landscape, and Trevor's Landscape Services
- In 2021, he pleaded guilty to 35 counts of stealing after defrauding 35 individuals of approximately $61,000
Consumer Protection's Stern Warning
Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake delivered a clear message to Western Australian homeowners on Wednesday, urging extreme caution when considering engaging Mr Potter for any trade services.
"Given the number of complaints received and the amounts allegedly outstanding, we encourage consumers to exercise caution and make thorough checks before engaging Mr Potter or any tradesperson," Commissioner Blake stated.
She emphasized that word-of-mouth recommendations remain one of the most reliable methods for finding trustworthy tradespeople, suggesting homeowners consult neighbours, friends, and family before hiring any contractor.
Serious Legal Consequences
Tradies who breach Australian Consumer Law by accepting payment and failing to deliver services within a reasonable timeframe face severe penalties. Each contravention can result in maximum civil penalties of $2.5 million, highlighting the serious nature of these consumer protection violations.
Consumer Protection is actively seeking additional information from anyone who has experienced unsatisfactory dealings with Mr Potter. Affected consumers are encouraged to lodge formal complaints through the official online portal or by calling 1300 30 40 54 to contribute to their ongoing investigation.
