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Consumer Alert - Edmonton Company Under Investigation for Fuel Saving Device

For immediate release, Edmonton, April 9, 2001

Alberta consumers are cautioned to be wary of an Edmonton-based company selling a device they claim saves on fuel and reduces emissions, says Government Services Minister David Coutts. The company is called PVI International and the device is the Platinum Vapor Injector.

The Competition Bureau of Government of Canada is alleging that certain claims about the Platinum Vapor Injector’s ability to save fuel and reduce emissions were false or misleading, and has applied for an order to prohibit PVI International from promoting the device.

Independent testing done by a variety of agencies and organizations, including the Vehicle Testing Labs of Environment Canada, Consumer Reports, and the Federal Trade Commission (the U.S. National consumer regulator) failed to establish any significant fuel or exhaust savings with respect to this Platinum Vapor Injector. Further more, in recent years the FTC has tested a number of other fuel savings devices and none were found to work as claimed

Before making any purchase, Albertans are advised to ask questions about the device, do research on the item and to be aware of what they are buying. The department advises consumers who have already purchased the Platinum Vapor Injector and have concerns to contact Alberta Government Services’ Consumer Information Centre at:
1-877-427-4088 toll free.

Alberta Government Services will be determining if there has been a breach under the Fair Trading Act (FTA). Under the FTA, possible penalties imposed by a court can include an order prohibiting the sale of the item, court ordered restitution for consumers, a fine of up to $100,000 and/or two years in jail.

In 2000, Alberta Government Services conducted more than 1,600 consumer investigations that resulted in close to $650,000 being returned to Albertans.

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Visit our website at www.gov.ab.ca/gs

Shannon Larkins - Communications, Alberta Government Services - 780-415-6051