Minister for
Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle said residents in the Aspley area had
received calls from scammers claiming to be from the Queensland Government’s
‘renewable energy team’.
The scammers
lure people with the offer of a $2,000 solar rebate and request the homeowner’s
bank details.
“This is a
scam. The Queensland Government makes no direct payments to residents under the
solar rebate scheme,” Mr McArdle said.
“The best way
to beat the scammers is for people to not be drawn into a conversation and
immediately hang up if they receive a phone call like this.
“They should
also report the call to the Office of Fair Trading on its hotline number – 13
74 68.
“The old
adage that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is, certainly
applies in this case.
“Payments would
only be made to a consumer by an electricity retailer – not the Government – if
electricity is generated above and beyond a household’s electricity
use.
“Never give
your bank details to anyone you don´t know and trust.”
Details on
the Queensland Government’s Solar Bonus scheme are available at www.dews.qld.gov.au
while tips to protect consumers against fraud are available at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/protect-yourself-against-consumer-fraud
Scam reports
can be made by phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visiting www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
