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28/03/2007
Cross border scams go under the spotlight
Mass marketing scams were the focus of discussion by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) in Dublin yesterday.
DETI’s Trading Standards Service and Consumerline attended the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Cross Border Scams Conference, alongside a number of European consumer protection agencies engaged in tackling such practice.
The event, in conjunction with the Irish Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) and the National Consumer Agency (NCA), focused on partnership working and best practice in combating mass marketing scams. Scams such as deceptive prize draw and lottery mailings, bogus holiday clubs and miracle health cures, cost UK consumers £3.5 billion every year and are a global problem.
The conference shared strategies for tackling scams, explored opportunities for further joined up enforcement in the European Union (EU) and discussed two major new EU consumer protection laws – the Consumer Protection Co-Operation Regulation (CPC) and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD). The CPC, which came into force in the UK in January 2007 and the UCPD, which is due to come into force in December 2007, provide greater enforcement powers against cross-border scams.
Christine Wade, OFT Assistant Chief Executive, Consumer Advice and Trading Standards, said: “Mass marketing scams are a global menace. The conference demonstrated a European commitment to fighting scams in the interests of consumers and business."
David Livingstone, Head of DETI’s Trading Standards Service said: “It is important that the public are made aware of the type of scams to which they may fall victim.
“If you are in any way suspicious about a mailshot, a telephone call or an email we would urge you NOT to give out any of your personal details, or send any money. If you require further information and advice, contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262.”
(JM/KMcA)
DETI’s Trading Standards Service and Consumerline attended the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Cross Border Scams Conference, alongside a number of European consumer protection agencies engaged in tackling such practice.
The event, in conjunction with the Irish Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) and the National Consumer Agency (NCA), focused on partnership working and best practice in combating mass marketing scams. Scams such as deceptive prize draw and lottery mailings, bogus holiday clubs and miracle health cures, cost UK consumers £3.5 billion every year and are a global problem.
The conference shared strategies for tackling scams, explored opportunities for further joined up enforcement in the European Union (EU) and discussed two major new EU consumer protection laws – the Consumer Protection Co-Operation Regulation (CPC) and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD). The CPC, which came into force in the UK in January 2007 and the UCPD, which is due to come into force in December 2007, provide greater enforcement powers against cross-border scams.
Christine Wade, OFT Assistant Chief Executive, Consumer Advice and Trading Standards, said: “Mass marketing scams are a global menace. The conference demonstrated a European commitment to fighting scams in the interests of consumers and business."
David Livingstone, Head of DETI’s Trading Standards Service said: “It is important that the public are made aware of the type of scams to which they may fall victim.
“If you are in any way suspicious about a mailshot, a telephone call or an email we would urge you NOT to give out any of your personal details, or send any money. If you require further information and advice, contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262.”
(JM/KMcA)
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Scam Scam, and More Scam As NI Loses Millions
Over £100 million is lost in Northern Ireland every year from scams, according to government research. Every year, thousands of bargain hungry consumers fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures.
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A new initiative to help students avoid scams and identity theft has been launched by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and the Consumer Council. The Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 resources have been jointly produced by CCEA and the Consumer Council on behalf of the ScamwiseNI Partnership.
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Trading standards warns of holiday scams
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Trading standards warns of holiday scams
The Trading Standards Service has called on the general public to be wary of unsolicited telephone calls offering free holidays. Recent scams have fallen into two types. In one, the caller alleges that the consumer has won a free holiday in Florida and offers to upgrade the holiday for the apparently reasonable cost of approximately £300.
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Warning Issued About Cost-Of-Living Scammers
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Warning Issued About Cost-Of-Living Scammers
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
