Warning about scam texts in lead up to home battery rebate schemeBy Emma WynneABC Radio PerthTopic:Solar Energy1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 4:33amTrish Blake says government funding schemes often attract accompanying scams. (ABC News: Cason Ho)In short:Numerous WA consumers have reported receiving texts messages urging them to sign up for the WA home battery rebate scheme.Consumer Protection says the text messages are not legitimate.What's next?The WA battery rebate scheme launches on July 1 and only select providers will be eligible for the rebates.abc.net.au/news/warning-scam-texts-wa-home-battery-rebate-scheme-solargain/105238410Link copiedShareShare articleWA residents have reported receiving text messages, purporting to be from energy systems company Solar Gain, urging them to register for a battery rebate scheme and directing them to a form that records their name and contact information.The scheme, announced as a pre-election commitment by Premier Roger Cook, will provide one-off rebates of up to $5,000 for Synergy customers and up to $7,500 for Horizon Power customers in regional WA to purchase a home battery.The scheme is set to open to applicants on July 1. Interested people can register with the state government for updates on how to apply, but cannot formally register and the government has said it will not backdate rebates.This week, numerous customers reported receiving this text message:Urgent message from SolargainRegistrations have opened for the WA battery grant.We recommend in order that you do not miss out or be disappointed, that you register for the grant as soon as possible as there are only 19,000 seats.It's no commitment to buy, but you must secure your spot. Kind regards, The Solargain TeamThe message also included a link to a website which featured the state government logo and asked people to fill in their personal information.Solargain said it did not message and its information technology department was investigating.Warning over SMS scamsConsumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake told Nadia Mitsopoulos on ABC Radio Perth it was a timely reminder not to trust unsolicited text messages."Unfortunately, it happens all the time — as soon as there is money to be made anywhere, scammers will come out of the woodwork and create fake websites," Ms Blake said."But I also would say that it's not just scammers."There are unscrupulous dealers as well, or traders that will also try to take advantage and try and sign up as many people as they possibly can."Texts which urge swift action should always raise red flags, Trish Blake says.Ms Blake said the urgency of the language in the message indicated it was not legitimate."We know if it's saying 'register now, don't miss out', that's a complete red flag for me because that's what scammers do," she said."They give you that sense of urgency that you might miss out, so you have to jump on now. "So we stop thinking and we just act."Only selected providersThere is a legitimate form on the WA government website where consumers can register an expression of interest to learn more about the scheme as it rolls out.Ms Blake said the use of the state government logo was particularly serious and could be prosecuted as misleading.'Absolutely in tears'Photo shows A man's hand near a solar battery in a house.WA's Labor promise to introduce a $5,000 subsidy for residential batteries if re-elected has been welcomed in principle but it has thrown the industry into turmoil."I'm going to get the team at Consumer Protection to investigate this more," she said."If we can establish that it is a fake website and a scam website, then the team will do what they can to have that website taken down."Ms Blake said when the scheme launched, there would be an approved list of products and suppliers and only those on the list would be eligible for rebates."We're really cautioning consumers not to sign up to anything now because it's quite possible that the trader you sign up with, the business you sign up with or the product you sign up for may not be on the approved list," she said."And those grants are not going to be retrospective."ABC Perth in your inboxGet local news, stories, community events, recipes and more each fortnight.Your information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 4:33amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesCoalition's public service cuts 'focused on Canberra', shadow finance minister says LIVEPhoto shows Jane Hume stands at lecternCoalition costings reveal worse budget for first two years under Dutton compared to LaborBREAKINGPhoto shows Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor press conferenceDutton hints at campaign failure as polls show Albanese majority in sightTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Peter Dutton election shadowsErin Patterson tried to persuade ex to attend fatal lunch, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows Simon Patterson walks through a sunlit carpark, dressed in a black suit and blue tie.Nampijinpa Price contradicts Dutton, asserting Coalition will end school 'indoctrination'Topic:Public SchoolsPhoto shows Jacinta Price speaks while Dutton stands behind her listening. Related storiesFire victim 'bewildered' that alleged scammer would steal her storyTopic:Scams and FraudPhoto shows Woman stands with arms crossed in the kitchen area of a burnt-down home.Microsoft says it blocks 1.6 million bots an hour as scammers latch onto AITopic:Cyber SecurityPhoto shows An illustration of a scammer and a robot highfiving while popping out of a phoneRelated topicsPerthScams and FraudSolar EnergyTop StoriesCoalition's public service cuts 'focused on Canberra', shadow finance minister says Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Jane Hume stands at lecternBreaking: Coalition costings reveal worse budget for first two years under Dutton compared to LaborTopic:Federal GovernmentDutton hints at campaign failure as polls show Albanese majority in sightTopic:Government and PoliticsErin Patterson tried to persuade ex to attend fatal lunch, court hearsTopic:CourtsNampijinpa Price contradicts Dutton, asserting Coalition will end school 'indoctrination'Topic:Public SchoolsJust InSomething is happening with the southern right whale population, scientists sayTopic:Endangered and Protected Species8m ago8 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 6:16amFed-up nurses campaigning for Greens allege pre-poll bullying by LaborTopic:Australian Federal Elections18m ago18 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 6:06amSocial media making you angry? You could be falling for rage baitTopic:Social Media24m ago24 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 6:00amMiner to pay for swamp rehab after draining megalitres of Sydney waterTopic:Environment26m ago26 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 5:58amMore Just InBack to top