The marketplace regulator is warning consumers to avoid two tradies currently operating in South East Queensland, who each have a history of ripping people off.Public warnings have been issued for James Bruce Michael Darren Brown and his stair supply and installation and renovation businesses, and Matthew Geoffrey Rixon AKA Joseph J Sara and his fencing and renovation businesses.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning Queenslanders to avoid dealing with two traders operating in South East Queensland, both with histories of ripping off consumers.
A public warning has been issued for James Bruce Michael Darren Brown and his businesses, after a number of complaints have been received about the stair supplier, installer and renovator.
Two consumers, who are based on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane, allege they have paid Mr Brown substantial deposits for goods and services, including renovations, and for the manufacture and installation of stairs, which he has failed to provide.
It’s not Mr Brown’s first brush with the marketplace regulator.
Mr Brown was found guilty of multiple breaches of Australian Consumer Law in May 2022 and again in March 2024, after separate OFT investigations found he had failed to provide goods and services, after taking significant deposits from several Queenslanders.
He has been fined a total of over $110,000 and ordered to pay more than $61,330 in compensation to affected consumers.
Mr Brown operates his businesses through two companies and a trust. Queenslanders should avoid:SMC Stair Supplies Pty Ltd (ABN 16 636 802 867 – now cancelled)Unique Group of Companies (AU) Pty Ltd (ACN 662 017 209 and ABN 90 662 017 209) trading as Unique Stairs Gold Coast, Unique Bathroom Make Overs and Unique Extensions & Renovations.Trustee for The Adversity Group Trust (ABN 54 147 433 599) trading as Unique Stairs Queensland
OFT is also advising consumers not to deal with Matthew Geoffrey Rixon who is the alias Joseph J Sara, or his business Fence Sure (Brisbane) and Sunstate Home Improvements using (ABN 84 687 156 693).
Mr Rixon has a long history with both the Queensland New South Wales marketplace regulators as the subject of multiple public warnings and legal action in both states.
He has been convicted of several offences, including fraud, and is currently under an injunctive order by the NSW Supreme Court that prohibits him from contracting, being engaged in, or involved with residential building work in any capacity.
OFT is aware Mr Rixon has returned to Queensland and is currently operating in the South East, offering fencing and renovation services.
OFT is concerned that Mr Rixon is continuing to use deceptive tactics, such as using fake ABNs or the ABNs of other unrelated companies without their approval to rip off consumers.
SEQ sub-contractors are also advised Mr Rixon often uses unsuspecting subbies and fails to pay them for the work they commence.
Consumers should be aware there are other businesses operating in Queensland with similar names that are not linked to these public warnings.
We recommend checking the ACN or ABN to confirm who you are dealing with, as well as checking they have an appropriate licence. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) provides a free licence search on its website www.qbcc.qld.gov.au
Consumers who have paid either trader for goods or services but have not received them, should lodge a complaint with OFT. Complaints can be lodged online at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading
Quotes attributable to the Commissioner for Fair Trading:
“It’s clear these traders have a blatant disregard for the law, and despite various legal and enforcement actions, are up to their old tricks.
“We are concerned they may continue to take large sums of money from Queenslanders and not supply the goods or services as promised.
“Our message to Queenslanders is clear: do not deal with these traders under any circumstances.
“We’re urging consumers to remain vigilant and do your research by checking reviews, doing a general internet search of the businesses you’re looking to use, and asking friends, relatives and neighbours for names of tradies they recommend.
“One of the most important things to check before engaging a tradie is that they’re licensed with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).
“A quick free search of the licensee register on the QBCC website shows neither of these traders are currently licensed to do building work in Queensland.”
ENDS
SU Note: People like this give all subbies a bad name. They must be stopped. I thought it was a crime, commonly known as fraud to take money under false pretences. Fraud comes under section 408C of the Criminal Code.
Charge them, convict them and give them a jail term to deter others.
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