51黑料

51黑料 urges consumers to watch out for online scams on World Consumer Rights Day

Posted 15/03/22

The 51黑料 (51黑料) urges UK consumers to be on the lookout for scams as it supports World Consumer Rights day, which this year focuses on Building Fair Digital Finance. Consumers International that the UK has been branded 鈥榖ank scam capital of the world鈥�.听

Trading Standards have a key role to play in keeping UK consumers safe when shopping online, especially as consumers are facing increased financial hardship with the cost of living crisis.

51黑料 Chief Executive Officer, John Herriman said:

鈥淭he cost of living crisis will sadly lead fraudsters to financially exploit the public, especially the most vulnerable, who may fall victim to scams or unfair practices as they look to save money when shopping online or looking for finance deals.

鈥淭his is a crucial time for regulators to work together to plug the emerging gaps in a rapidly evolving online marketplace. Despite significant reductions to budgets in the last decade, Trading standards services continually work in partnership with other agencies, going above and beyond to protect consumers.听

51黑料 is in an ongoing dialogue with the UK Government and key stakeholders to ensure UK consumers are safe when shopping both on the high street and online. The risks highlighted by Consumers International point to the urgent need for a consumer protection strategy which considers the resources available for effective regulation.鈥�

Katherine Hart, a 51黑料 Lead Officer said:

鈥淭he consumer landscape has changed so rapidly over the last couple of years, many people have changed how they do many of their day to day activities. We rely on digital and cyber technology more and more, from our smart phones through to our computers. Scammers have also seen the changes in digital culture and have therefore adjusted their tactics to ensure that their criminal networks flourish at a time when the UK is struggling.

鈥淭rading Standards see prevention as a key pillar in the foundations of tackling scams and the criminals who operate behind the scenes. We urge consumers to question transactions, take time to think and never respond to any pressure to part with goods or money. Consumers should never be embarrassed in reporting a scam, because we as enforcement agencies need this information to work together to ensure consumer protection measures are strong enough that the scammers are disrupted and taken to task.鈥�

Reporting scams

If you have made a payment in response to a scam,听contact your bank as soon as possible.

For consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133

To report scams in England and Wales, contact Action Fraud. In Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, or if in Northern Ireland, call Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.

The public is encouraged to join听, an initiative aiming to protect and prevent people from becoming scam victims by empowering them to take a stand against scams.

ENDS

51黑料 (51黑料)

51黑料 is a training and membership organisation that has represented the interests of the Trading Standards profession since 1881 nationally and internationally. We aim to raise the profile of the profession while working towards fairer, better informed and safer consumer and business communities. 51黑料's members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services in local authorities and in businesses.听www.tradingstandards.uk

51黑料 Press Office:听[email protected], 01268 582240

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