Simple clear advice in plain English

Government invests in online fraud clampdown

Extra funding will aid the Trading Standards and fund a cyber-enforcement team

image of handcuffs
crn/08-02-2010/shutterstock-fraud-handcuffs

The Government has launched a new cyber-enforcement team within the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and provided extra funding for Trading Standards to tackle online fraud.

Each year these scams rip-off around three million UK consumers for around £3.5 billion. In an attempt to bring more fraudsters to justice, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will invest £4.3 million over the next three years to fund the project.

A laboratory with specialist computer forensics equipment has been set up for the OFT team. The money will also be used to fund the training and technology needed to set up regional teams, drawn from local Trading Standards offices.

These teams will be placed in every region of England and in Scotland and Wales.

Kevin Brennan, consumer minister, said: “The internet is rapidly transforming the way we shop. It presents massive opportunities for consumers, but unfortunately it also harbours fraudsters who can leave consumers upset and out of pocket.

“So as they get more sophisticated, we 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.”

The teams will focus on scams such as fake websites such as Zavvi Direct and Instant AV and retailers selling counterfeit products – two online crimes uncovered by Computeractive. The teams will also focus on ticket scams and traders who try to hide their identity to avoid giving consumers redress.

The teams will be made up of a series of experts according to a representative for the OFT, including lawyers and trading standards officers.

The OFT and Trading Standards will also liaise with specialist cyber crime police agencies such as the police central e-crime unit, run by the Met, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and Companies Investigations Branch when appropriate.

Consumers who suspect they are the victim of an online scam or suspect one, can contact Action Fraud or Consumer Direct.

Action Fraud, run the National Fraud Authority, is the UK’s first UK agency linked directly to the police, through which the public can report online fraud.

Consumer Direct, is the OFT's consumer advice service, which can provide help and pass on complaints and information to Trading Standards and the OFT.

Heather Clayton, OFT senior director, said: “Online consumer protection is a key priority for the OFT. 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.

Reader Comments

   

Add your comment

All fields must be completed. Your email address will not be displayed or used to send marketing messages.

All messages will be checked by moderators before appearing on the site.

See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Related articles

zavvi-direct

Website shutdowns set dangerous precedent, net groups say

ISPs and other groups say that the police-led taking down of websites without court orders could lead to legitimate sites being targeted

Lady Gaga (Photo - John Robert Charlton)

Get Safe Online warns concert goers over online ticket scams

With the annual music festival and concert season under way, music lovers are warned to be on their guard against getting conned

microsoft-hq

Microsoft reveals computer cold call scams still a problem

Microsoft has revealed a worrying trend that computer security cold-call scams are leading to wider fraud

Question & Answer

Q.Why are some of the keys on my keyboard doing strange...

> Read the answer

Q.Is my phone’s Bluetooth any use?

> Read the answer

Q.Can I switch boot drives so that I can work on older...

> Read the answer

Best deals on the web

img

Apple iMac 21.5" (MC309)

£926.40- Buy it now

img

Dell Inspiron 620 ST Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz / 3GB / 500GB / DVDRW / Win 7 Home Premium

£329.00- Buy it now

img

ZooStorm 7877-1023

£386.38- Buy it now

Latest issue & subscription deals

Poll

Are you concerned about viruses that target mobile phones?

Jargon Buster

Computing terms explained in plain English

CAD

Computer Aided Design. Software used to create 3D models.

Great shopping deals from Computeractive