Cardinia Shire Council is warning of a scam involving solar electricity systems.
The council reports Cardinia residents are being approached by scammers who claim to be installing solar electricity systems through its Solar Savers program.
“These scammers have claimed they are representing Solar Savers and council. These claims are untrue,” a council spokesperson said.
Council’s Solar Savers program requires pensioners who are interested in the program to initiate contact with Solar Savers first to discuss their eligibility. Under the program the installation costs are paid for by the council, and then residents gradually pay for their panels over 10 years through a special rates charge.
The council spokesperson said the shire and Solar Savers had not been approaching residents directly about the program and their upfront costs.
“Instead, all interested pensioner households progress through a step-by-step process before a scheduled visit for a quotation is conducted by a member of the Solar Savers team,” the spokesperson said.
The council has reported this scam to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
If you are the target of this scam, contact the council on 1300 787 624.
In addition, you can report the scam to the ACCC using the SCAMwatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au or by calling 1300 795 995.
