Qld: Bargain hunters urged to be wary on internet

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2006
Qld: Bargain hunters urged to be wary on internet

BRISBANE, Dec 21 AAP - Christmas shoppers seeking last-minute bargains should be wary
when buying "internet only specials" that seem too good to be true, Queensland's Fair
Trading Minister Margaret Keech warned today.

The warning follows the discovery of a website advertising Playstations, XBoxes, plasma
screen TVs and other electronic goods at prices well below those found in shops.

It's alleged the company lures bargain-hunters with the low prices, but fails to send
the goods after they have been paid for.

"A number of New South Wales people have reported sending money for goods but not receiving
them," Ms Keech said.

Ms Keech said the company was now allegedly targeting Queenslanders, and has also been
accused of misleading advertising by providing suspect contact and trader details.

"It has also been alleged the company tried to scam newspapers into running large full-colour
advertisements with no intention of paying the account," she said.

Ms Keech said the Office of Fair Trading, which is investigating the company, and police
recently managed to stop ads from being run in at least one Queensland newspaper.

She urged people who suspect they may have been scammed to contact their banks immediately
to try to cancel the transaction.

She said they should also lodge a complaint with the Office of Fair Trading and police.

"If an offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is," Ms Keech said.

AAP cf/sc/goc/de

KEYWORD: SCAM

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