Fair Trading issues warning about unlicensed fencer, step installer

Two SEQ tradies have been named and shamed by the Office of Fair Trading for deceiving consumers with unlicensed work and failing to deliver services.

The Office of Fair Trading warns consumers to exercise caution when hiring tradespeople.

A Gold Coast stair supplier and a southeast Queensland fencer have been named and shamed by the state’s consumer protection regulator, which claims both tradies ripped off customers.

Office of Fair Trading has told consumers to avoid dealing with stair supplier James Bruce Michael Darren Brown and Fence Sure Brisbane’s Matthew Geoffrey Rixon, also known as Joseph J Sara.

Fair Trading said both were unlicensed for building work in Queensland and both were facing legal action for failing to deliver promised services.

Brown, the sole director of SMC Stair Supplies Pty Ltd, was the subject of two complaints this year with customers claiming they paid significant deposits for goods and services, including stair installations and renovations, which were never delivered.

Brown has previously been found guilty of breaching Australian Consumer Law in 2022 and 2024, receiving fines totalling more than $110,000 and being ordered to pay over $61,000 in compensation to affected customers.

The Office of Fair Trading has issued a public warning telling Queenslanders not to deal with Matthew Rixon or his companies, Sunstate Fencing and Sunstate Fencing Solutions. Photo: Sunshine Coast Daily

His other companies are known as Unique Group of Companies, and The Adversity Group Trust, all of which have been flagged by Fair Trading.

Rixon is facing warnings for his work in fencing and renovations under businesses such as Fence Sure Brisbane and Sunstate Home Improvements.

Fair Trading said he had a history of legal issues, including fraud convictions, and was under an injunction by the NSW Supreme Court that prohibits him from engaging in residential building work.

He was believed to have returned to Queensland and resumed operations, continuing what Fair Trade called “deceptive practices” such as using fake ABNs or those belonging to unrelated businesses.

Two southeast Queensland tradies have been named in warnings to consumers.

He has also been accused of exploiting subcontractors by not paying them for work.

Fair Trading Commissioner Gary Jones warned consumers to exercise caution when hiring tradespeople.

“These traders have a blatant disregard for the law, and we are concerned they may continue to take large sums of money from people without delivering the goods or services promised,” he said.

“Always check whether a tradie is licensed through the Queensland Building and Construction Commission before hiring.”

Consumers who have been affected by either of the tradies can lodge complaints with the Office of Fair Trading via its website.