“Ms Baker said that following severe storms, opportunistic and dodgy builders, glaziers and roof tilers often descended, hoping to catch desperate home owners off guard.

“They prey on the need to fix problems quickly, but a single telephone call to Fair Trading on 13 32 20 can save families financial loss and emotional heartache,” she said.”

If you are operating in the storm affected areas let your customers know they can check the bona fides of a trades person by ringing Fair Trading prior to engaging those trades people or lodging deposits.

Commissioner warns public about motor vehicle LPG tank testing services provided by Robert Clark

12 February 2009

Fair Trading Commissioner Lyn Baker today issued a warning to members of the public under section 86A of the Fair Trading Act 1987 about dangerous and unlicensed motor vehicle repair work undertaken by a Mr Robert Gordon Clark on LPG tanks installed in some motor vehicles.

Ms Baker said Fair Trading investigations and legal action against another rogue LPG tank tester, Mr Warren Abbott, exposed the operations of an associate, Mr Clark.

“Mr Clark has also used the names Bob Clarke and Robert Stanley Clark and has operated two businesses – Flame Set and Mobile Testing Pty Ltd,” she said.
“Flame Set was removed from the Office of Fair Trading Register of Business Names on 27 October 2005, but Mr Clark has continued to trade under that name.
“Mobile Testing Pty Ltd was deregistered by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission on 4 December 2000.

“The company was liquidated but Mr Clark has continued to trade under that name too.

“SAI Global Ltd, a certifying authority for standards relating to LPG gas tank testing, cancelled Mr Clark’s Certificate of Conformity in late 2004, for non payment of annual renewal fees.

“This cancelled Mr Clark’s authority to conduct mobile auto LPG tank testing.
“Mr Clark has previously used Test Station number 360 (frequently with the letters A to D) but he has also recently used a provisional number A05, which the certifying authority, International Standards Certifications Pty Ltd (ISC), has directed him not to use.”

Ms Baker said Fair Trading had found Mr Clark was not a licensed motor vehicle repairer and yet he was undertaking repair work on LPG tanks for motor vehicles.
“Investigations have revealed he has been trading across Northern New South Wales, especially around the Mid-North Coast and the Northern Tablelands.

“We are not aware of any trading in the greater Sydney metropolitan area or any activity south of Sydney at this stage.”

Ms Baker said any member of the public who had dealt with Mr Clark personally, the company Mobile Testing Pty Ltd or the business name Flame Set should contact a special hotline, provided via the NSW Government Contact Centre Hotline on 1300 729 396.

“Affected consumers should also obtain a re-inspection of the vehicle from any RTA-authorised LPG Inspection Station or a licensed LPG Fitting Station,” she said.

“Consumers who have an LPG gas tank fitted to their vehicle bearing the Test Station number 360 or 360 A, B, C or D or A05 should go back to the RTA-authorised LPG Inspection Station or licensed LPG Fitting Station that conducted their last tank re-inspection and request a further inspection of the tank.”

Ms Baker said Fair Trading would consider claims for reimbursement of the costs associated with re-inspections under its Motor Vehicle Repair Contingency Fund, where consumers dealt with Mr Clark personally or with Mobile Testing Pty Ltd or Flame Set. Further information is available through the Hotline.

“If anyone is in doubt regarding the safety of their LPG tank or the test number applied to the LPG tank installed in their vehicle they should consider having the vehicle inspected to satisfy themselves that their vehicle is safe and does not contain a tank bearing the Test Station numbers A05 or 360 or 360 A, B, C or D,” she said.

“If consumers have any further questions about this matter, please contact the Hotline on 1300 729 396.”