An infuriating yet heartwarming story recently aired on 9News’ flagship program, *A Current Affair*, serving as a massive wake-up call for Australian property owners. As landlords who frequently deal with property maintenance and hire contractors, this is a scam we absolutely cannot afford to ignore.
🚨 The Scam: A Deceptive Door-to-Door Trapping
The victim, Frank, a 70-year-old pensioner, was looking to get some minor routine maintenance done on his roof. That was when two men—an Irish father-and-son duo masquerading as experienced roofers—knocked on his door uninvited.
Their pitch was a textbook scam tactic: **”We are currently working on a project across the road, noticed some severe issues with your roof, and can offer you a massive discount if we fix it today.”**
Trusting their word, Frank let them begin. However, it quickly escalated into a nightmare. The rogue tradies repeatedly manufactured “newly discovered structural issues,” aggressively demanding more money. By the time they finished squeezing him dry, Frank had paid them **approximately $70,000 AUD**—draining his entire life savings.
To make matters worse, the scammers left the job completely unfinished. They literally ripped apart the roof’s framework and main structure, leaving a massive, gaping hole in the top of his house before vanishing into thin air. Because Frank faces mobility challenges and was left completely broke, his home was left exposed to severe leaks and storms for nearly two months.
💖 The Turnaround: The Australian Building Industry Rallies Behind Frank
Desperate and left with no options, Frank reached out to the media. Once his story went live on *A Current Affair*, the public response from Australia’s legitimate trade industry was swift and profoundly moving.
Appalled by how these rogue scammers tarnished the reputation of honest Australian tradies, multiple local roofing companies and suppliers decided to take action:
* **Free Materials Donated:** Major construction suppliers stepped forward to donate a complete set of high-quality roofing materials free of charge.
* **Voluntary Labor & Installation:** Several professional roofing teams joined forces, volunteering their time and expertise to completely rebuild the roof for free.
* Thanks to this amazing relay of community support, Frank’s destroyed roof is finally being professionally repaired, ensuring he will have a safe, secure, and dry home once again.
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💡 APOA Landlord Checklist: How to Protect Your Property from Fake Tradies
While Frank’s story ended with a heartwarming community rescue, as property owners, we cannot rely on luck. To protect your investment properties and your pockets from these “travelling conmen,” professional industry bodies recommend sticking to these ironclad rules:
1. Never Hire Door-to-Door Tradies
Legitimate, highly-rated tradies are rarely short on work and don’t need to cold-call or knock on random doors. Anyone claiming they “just happen to have leftover materials from a nearby job” is **a 99% guaranteed red flag**.
2. Verify Licences & Insurance Every Single Time
Before any work begins, demand to see their Builder’s Licence, relevant trade qualifications, and Public Liability Insurance. You can instantly check their ABN and licensing status via official state portals (e.g., VBA in Victoria or Service NSW).
3. Get Three Quotes and Reject High-Pressure Tactics
Scammers love creating fake urgency by saying things like, *”Your roof will collapse tomorrow if you don’t fix it now,”* or *”This discount is only valid for today.”* Take a breath, say no, and always gather at least three independent quotes for major structural repairs.
4. Establish a Strict Progress Payment Schedule
Legitimate building contracts operate on progress payments mapped out against completed milestones. Deposits are legally capped at low percentages depending on your state regulations. If a contractor demands massive cash advances or transfers upfront for “materials” right after starting, halt the project immediately.
5. Beware of “Sponsored” Ads on Google Search
When facing an urgent issue like a leaking roof, many property owners reflexively search Google for “Roof repair.” Please remember: **The top search results marked with the “Sponsored” tag are paid advertisements, NOT Google’s endorsement!**
Many dodgy or unlicensed operators pay premium rates to sit at the very top of search pages to capture desperate callers. Always scroll past these paid ads to look for established organic listings with solid, long-term local reviews, or consult our APOA wechat group for trusted, tried-and-tested tradie recommendations.
6. Beware of Unlicensed “Guerilla” Contractors on Social Media (e.g., XiaoHongShu, WeChat shortvideo…)
Many Chinese-speaking landlords and residents rely heavily on social media platforms like XiaoHongShu (Red) or local WeChat for trade recommendations. Posts advertising “budget-friendly prices” or “honest local handymen” can be highly tempting.
However, **these platforms are heavily populated by unlicensed, uninsured “guerilla” workers.**
They often demand cash-only payments and may even quote fake or borrowed ABNs. If the work causes property damage, structural leaks, or disputes with neighbors, these online operators will delete their accounts, leave the groups, and block you instantly. Even when hiring through social recommendations, always treat them like professional companies: demand to see their Builder’s Licence, check their public liability insurance, and sign a binding contract. Never let your guard down just because of a personal recommendation or shared cultural background.
**Final Takeaway:** Property maintenance is a serious business. When hiring tradies, remember the golden rule:
Don’t chase cheap deals, never trust unsolicited door-knockers, and always stick to formal contracts.
Feel free to share this guide with fellow property owners or elderly relatives to keep our community safe!