Public Warned to Avoid Scams by Unlicensed Persons Due to COVID-19

Property owners are being warned not to fall into the trap of using unlicensed persons to conduct plumbing work during the global COVID-19 crisis.

Plumbing, drainage and gasfitting work is essential to ensuring the health and safety of our community, and this is particularly important given the health pandemic that we are currently facing. Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ), the peak industry body representing the plumbing industry, is raising awareness of opportunistic, unlicensed scammers who are completing plumbing work illegally.

Plumbing, drainage and gas trades are administered by a strict licensing and legislative regime, which also ensure tradespeople hold the relative insurances that are required of them. This is to ensure the safety and protection of the community through the provision of clean drinking water, sanitation, and gas.

MPAQ’s Executive Director, Penny Cornah, said “We understand that COVID-19 has left many people in Queensland in a financially vulnerable position, and we want to try to help protect Queenslanders from those who seek to take advantage at this time.”

“When trying to keep renovation or building costs to the absolute minimum, DIY or handyman work tends to look like a better option over hiring a licensed plumber or gasfitter, but by going down this route you are putting your family’s health at risk, as well as facing possible legal and financial implications,” she said.

Homeowners should ask their plumber and/or gasfitter to provide their licence prior to engaging in any plumbing, drainage or gasfitting work.

“If they cannot produce their licence or evidence of their licence number, do not engage them for any work.” Ms Cornah said.

“The easiest way to ensure your plumbing work is completed safely and complies with the industry standard is to find a licensed plumber using the Find a Master Plumber database.”

MPAQ members are appropriately licensed and abide by a code of conduct that helps to ensure consumers have that extra level of protection. They are also being provided with support and resources from their industry association to ensure they provide their customers with quality and safe services to limit the spread of COVID-19.