ACCC takes aim at trades directory

Australia’s competition cop has launched legal action against trades services directory All Trades and Services (ATS) that could see its director banned from working in the sector for five years.

Australia’s competition cop has launched legal action against trades services directory All Trades and Services (ATS) that could see its director banned from working in the sector for five years.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleges NSW based ATS, which connects trades providers with customers, misled its members about the services they would receive.

According to the ACCC, trades providers were deceived by ATS promises about the jobs and discounts they would receive and that they would get a web page that would appear on Google.

Legal proceedings have also been launched against ATS director John Barry and employee Aaron Bell alleging they knowingly participated in or were party to the breaches.

Barry could be hit with a tough penalty if the Federal Court finds against him, with the ACCC asking that he be restrained from involvement in marketing or job finding services for small businesses for five years, orders that would heavily limit his involvement with the business.

Comment on the case was sought but not received from Barry and Bell.