South Australians are being urged to remain vigilant after fresh reports of itinerant, unlicensed tradies preying on vulnerable consumers.

Consumer and Business Services were today contacted by consumers in Waitpinga near Victor Harbor, who had paid thousands of dollars to tradies who had been going from door to door offering to do bitumen work in the area.

Itinerant tradies often go door to door in regional areas, claiming to have leftover bitumen from another job and offering to do cheap work on the premises.

They often use high-pressure tactics to try and get money from consumers, either failing to do the work or doing a substandard job that leaves the consumer in a position where they have to pay even more money for repairs to the work.

Consumer and Business Services advises consumers to be wary of anyone going door to door offering to do work of this nature.

“Unsolicited offers to do bitumen work are, in itself, a huge red flag and consumers should never accept offers of this nature without doing their homework first,” Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio said.

“Before agreeing to anything, people should check to make sure the business is licensed and get multiple quotes.

“If any one quote comes in at a considerably lower price than the rest, there is often good reason to be sceptical.

“Importantly, no matter how much pressure someone places on you, never agree to an offer on-the-spot.”

Anyone with concerns should contact Consumer and Business Services on 131 882.