Ellenbrook and Albany fine defaulters to pay up or face a clampdown

Ellenbrook and Albany fine and infringement defaulters will be contacted via text message and warned they could face wheel clamping, licence plate removal or have property seized if they do not pay their debt.

Attorney General Michael Mischin said the texting initiative was part of a new pilot program aimed at recovering millions of dollars owed to taxpayers.

Ellenbrook currently has 191 target offenders with $475,000 in outstanding debt, while Albany has 195 target offenders with $468,000 in outstanding debt.

Mr Mischin said the SMS, which is scheduled to be sent on Thursday, May 1, will advise the defaulters to contact the Fines Enforcement Registry (FER) as soon as possible to arrange payment of their outstanding fines and infringements in full or to enter into a time-to-pay arrangement.

"Texting is a very quick and cost-effective way to let fine and infringement defaulters know they need to make payment or tougher measures may be used to ensure the money owed to West Australians is recouped," the Attorney General said.

"During the past six months, Sheriff's officers have applied more than 300 wheel clamps, removed more than 250 number plates and made arrangements with more than 1,800 targeted fine and infringement defaulters to pay their debt by instalments.

"If this SMS pilot proves successful, texting will become another way we can communicate with fine defaulters across the State to motivate them to do the right thing and pay off their outstanding debts."

Since the new laws targeting individuals and businesses who don't pay their fines and infringements came into effect in August 2013, FER has collected $4.2million more than in the corresponding six-month period the year before.

Western Australia's top 100 defaulters are named on http://www.paymyfines.wa.gov.au, along with the suburb or town they live in and the amount of money owed in outstanding fines and infringements.

Attorney General's office - 6552 5600