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15/02/2010
Crackdown On Internet Scams
A new fightback against online fraudster was launched by the Government today.
More cash is to be pumped into Trading Standards investigations in addition to a newly formed specialist cyber enforcement team.
Criminals and rogue traders use the internet to con over three million UK consumers out of around £3.5 billion every year.
Recent research from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) shows that email is now the most common scam approach – 73% of adults have received a scam email in the past year.
Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan said as scams get more sophisticated, consumers and authorities need to stay one step ahead.
"Our investment will help the OFT and Trading Standards to put in place the new specialist teams, training and technology required to take the fight to these criminals," he said.
Around £4.3m will be invested by the Government into fraud prevention and detection over the next three years.
The Office of Fair Trading has already set up a fully equipped laboratory with specialist equipment and is being trained by an international expert.
A new highly trained trading standards enforcers with specialist equipment will also be placed in every region of England and in Scotland and Wales.
Teams will focus those selling fake products and traders who try to hide their identity to avoid giving consumer redress. Ticket scammers will also be targeted.
Heather Clayton, OFT Senior Director, said: "The enforcement team will be looking at the activities of a wide range of commercial websites and taking action in cases where consumers’ rights are being abused.
"Ultimately, giving the public even greater confidence to shop online is what drives the activities of our enforcement team."
The OFT will co-ordinate which enforcer is best placed to take action on a particular issue and will focus on the most serious cyber scams.
Cases will continue to be passed to the Police, Serious and Organised Crime Agency and Companies Investigations Branch when appropriate.
(PR/GK)
More cash is to be pumped into Trading Standards investigations in addition to a newly formed specialist cyber enforcement team.
Criminals and rogue traders use the internet to con over three million UK consumers out of around £3.5 billion every year.
Recent research from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) shows that email is now the most common scam approach – 73% of adults have received a scam email in the past year.
Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan said as scams get more sophisticated, consumers and authorities need to stay one step ahead.
"Our investment will help the OFT and Trading Standards to put in place the new specialist teams, training and technology required to take the fight to these criminals," he said.
Around £4.3m will be invested by the Government into fraud prevention and detection over the next three years.
The Office of Fair Trading has already set up a fully equipped laboratory with specialist equipment and is being trained by an international expert.
A new highly trained trading standards enforcers with specialist equipment will also be placed in every region of England and in Scotland and Wales.
Teams will focus those selling fake products and traders who try to hide their identity to avoid giving consumer redress. Ticket scammers will also be targeted.
Heather Clayton, OFT Senior Director, said: "The enforcement team will be looking at the activities of a wide range of commercial websites and taking action in cases where consumers’ rights are being abused.
"Ultimately, giving the public even greater confidence to shop online is what drives the activities of our enforcement team."
The OFT will co-ordinate which enforcer is best placed to take action on a particular issue and will focus on the most serious cyber scams.
Cases will continue to be passed to the Police, Serious and Organised Crime Agency and Companies Investigations Branch when appropriate.
(PR/GK)
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02 April 2003
OFT issue warning over web holiday sites
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OFT issue warning over web holiday sites
An Office of Fair Trading investigation has warned that many internet travel deals fall well short of their advertising. The probe found that 54 out of 135, or 40%, of UK-based websites visited during the search contained potentially misleading claims.
02 February 2009
'Scamnesty' Launch As New Figures Reveal Top Scams
The OFT has today launched its 2009 Scams Awareness Month to raise awareness of mass marketed scams, which cost the UK public £3.5billion a year. Every year an estimated three million UK consumers fall victim to scams sent by post, email, text, the phone and internet, the Office of Fair Trading said.
'Scamnesty' Launch As New Figures Reveal Top Scams
The OFT has today launched its 2009 Scams Awareness Month to raise awareness of mass marketed scams, which cost the UK public £3.5billion a year. Every year an estimated three million UK consumers fall victim to scams sent by post, email, text, the phone and internet, the Office of Fair Trading said.
15 October 2003
New agreement to see crackdown on international scams
A new level of co-operation to crack down on the menace of international scams has been announced by the Department of Trade and Industry. UK consumers have in the past fallen victim to bogus Canadian lottery scams, and dubious e-mail approaches urging people to part with their money often originate from overseas, the department said.
New agreement to see crackdown on international scams
A new level of co-operation to crack down on the menace of international scams has been announced by the Department of Trade and Industry. UK consumers have in the past fallen victim to bogus Canadian lottery scams, and dubious e-mail approaches urging people to part with their money often originate from overseas, the department said.
18 October 2004
Royal Mail urged to redouble efforts to stop mass mail scams
Royal Mail has been told to "tighten" its procedures in an effort to try to stop fraudsters using the postal system to get to consumers. The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) made the calls after statistics revealed that 67% of complaints about scams aimed at consumers relate to items delivered through the post.
Royal Mail urged to redouble efforts to stop mass mail scams
Royal Mail has been told to "tighten" its procedures in an effort to try to stop fraudsters using the postal system to get to consumers. The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) made the calls after statistics revealed that 67% of complaints about scams aimed at consumers relate to items delivered through the post.
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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.
