23/10/2013
Call For Irish Firms To Be On High Alert
Liam Aylward MEP for Ireland East has warned Irish businesses to be on high alert following the increase in ‘directory scams’ and misleading advertising practices.
Speaking in the European Parliament following a vote on a new report on 'Misleading Advertising Practices', Liam Aylward stated: "As an MEP for Ireland East I have been contacted by many local SMEs who have been caught out and duped.
"The vote sends a clear message from MEPs to the European Commission and national authorities, on behalf of these companies, that they need to step up their efforts and ensure a cohesive cross-border approach to stamp out these unscrupulous practices which exploit the current gaps in legislation across the EU.
"While there is some legislation in place which covers this issue in general terms, it is clear the these fraudsters are operating in the gaps and utilizing the discrepancies in implementation and national standards on a cross-border basis to hide and get away with their scams."
At present only Austria and Belgium have included a specific ban on misleading directory schemes and rogue companies are exploiting this gap across the EU. The differences in national provisions create legal uncertainties and opportunities for misleading advertising scams to exploit.
The MEP continued: "The aim of these scams is to trick businesses, small firms and tradespeople into signing up for fraudulent directories or website listings. The forms sent by these unscrupulous companies often look official but are misleading and companies end up being harassed and threatened for payments on excessive bills."
(CD/MH)
Speaking in the European Parliament following a vote on a new report on 'Misleading Advertising Practices', Liam Aylward stated: "As an MEP for Ireland East I have been contacted by many local SMEs who have been caught out and duped.
"The vote sends a clear message from MEPs to the European Commission and national authorities, on behalf of these companies, that they need to step up their efforts and ensure a cohesive cross-border approach to stamp out these unscrupulous practices which exploit the current gaps in legislation across the EU.
"While there is some legislation in place which covers this issue in general terms, it is clear the these fraudsters are operating in the gaps and utilizing the discrepancies in implementation and national standards on a cross-border basis to hide and get away with their scams."
At present only Austria and Belgium have included a specific ban on misleading directory schemes and rogue companies are exploiting this gap across the EU. The differences in national provisions create legal uncertainties and opportunities for misleading advertising scams to exploit.
The MEP continued: "The aim of these scams is to trick businesses, small firms and tradespeople into signing up for fraudulent directories or website listings. The forms sent by these unscrupulous companies often look official but are misleading and companies end up being harassed and threatened for payments on excessive bills."
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 March 2002
Ryanair responds to criticism over "misleading" adverts
Low-cost airline Ryanair has come under criticism for allegedly misleading customers as to how close they land to the cities their flights claim to serve. A recent report by the consumer magazine Holiday Which? revealed that on a number of routes, Ryanair does not actually land at the major airports of numerous cities.
Ryanair responds to criticism over "misleading" adverts
Low-cost airline Ryanair has come under criticism for allegedly misleading customers as to how close they land to the cities their flights claim to serve. A recent report by the consumer magazine Holiday Which? revealed that on a number of routes, Ryanair does not actually land at the major airports of numerous cities.
09 January 2002
Ryanair faces rap over misleading advertisements
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against budget airline Ryanair after a customer claimed two of its adverts for cheap fares were misleading. The ruling by the Authority upheld the complaint over the carrier's autumn offer of cheap tickets for "every seat on every flight.
Ryanair faces rap over misleading advertisements
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against budget airline Ryanair after a customer claimed two of its adverts for cheap fares were misleading. The ruling by the Authority upheld the complaint over the carrier's autumn offer of cheap tickets for "every seat on every flight.
07 December 2001
TSS warns businesses to beware of misleading mail
The DETI’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) have warned businesses to be on the lookout for approached made by a company called the ‘Data Collection Enforcement Agency’.
TSS warns businesses to beware of misleading mail
The DETI’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) have warned businesses to be on the lookout for approached made by a company called the ‘Data Collection Enforcement Agency’.
21 January 2004
UUP MEP calls for regional fisheries councils
Ulster Unionist MEP, Jim Nicholson, has called on the European Parliament Fisheries Committee to give priority to implementing the proposed Regional Advisory Councils (RAC’s).
UUP MEP calls for regional fisheries councils
Ulster Unionist MEP, Jim Nicholson, has called on the European Parliament Fisheries Committee to give priority to implementing the proposed Regional Advisory Councils (RAC’s).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.