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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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