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News Room


Welcome to CTSI's News Room. Browse through our latest Consumer Protection and Trading Standards news reports (below), or take a look through our archive of news articles from previous years.


MEDIA ENQUIRIES :  We can provide expert opinion, comments and spokespeople on a wide range of Trading Standards, consumer protection and regulatory issues - or point you in the right direction. Please call our press office on 01268 582240 or 07811244602, or email us: [email protected]



New Covid-19 app exploited by fraudsters to scam public

Posted: 12/05/2020

The UK Government is currently trialling a new COVID-19 coronavirus contact tracing app on the Isle of Wight. Many expect that the app will roll out to the rest of the country later this year.

UK ECC celebrates Europe Day

Posted: 11/05/2020

The UK European Consumer Centre (UK ECC) celebrated Europe Day on Saturday, May 9, commemorating the Schuman Declaration. The statement is considered to be the first step towards the creation of the European Community (EC) and latterly the European Union (EU). 

Fake pet ads plague public during coronavirus lockdown

Posted: 06/05/2020

The lockdown response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has led to many people feeling socially isolated. The 'new normal' has led to a rise in people looking for a furry companion to keep them company, with adverts for dogs, cats and other animals filling social media and pet sale platforms. 

Coronavirus nuisance call wave hits public

Posted: 01/05/2020

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has received intelligence on a series of nuisance and scam calls hitting households throughout the UK.

Whirlpool initiates recall for 21 further washing machine

Posted: 30/04/2020

Whirlpool has announced the recall of a further 21 washing machine models among its Hotpoint brand range.

Coronavirus crisis: New guide for travel industry launched

Posted: 29/04/2020

Business Companion has launched a free online guide for travel industry businesses caught amidst the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Codes scheme now protects almost £135bn of consumer transactions

Posted: 28/04/2020

In what was an excellent year for the scheme, business members increased to 68,809 from 52,003 in 2018, representing a 32% year-on-year membership growth.  

Coronavirus rogues darken doorsteps nationwide

Posted: 27/04/2020

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has led to an explosion of scams online, on the phone and the doorstep.

Over the past six weeks, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has received numerous reports of opportunists darkening the doorsteps of vulnerable people throughout the country.

UK ECC reports a surge in airline flight cancellation advice

Posted: 24/04/2020

The UK European Consumer Centre (UK ECC) has received a record number of enquiries in the last 48 hours with over 1000 consumers seeking its expertise and advice in relation to airline flight cancellations. This the biggest influx of consumer enquiries since the 2010 Icelandic volcanic ash cloud chaos.   

Outbreak of scams during coronavirus pandemic

Posted: 20/04/2020

Since early March, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has witnessed an avalanche of scams drop on UK consumers. These scams cover the full gamut of delivery methods, from doorstep to the telephone, to social media, text and email, and all themed around the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

HMRC COVID-19 scam expands to all types of communication

Posted: 17/04/2020

In March, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) warned about a new HMRC-branded scam text claiming that the government are offering lump-sum payments "as part of its promise to battle COVID-19.

Recently, this scam theme has expanded from text and emails to telephone calls from bogus civil servants.

Netflix scam takes advantage of COVID-19 lockdown

Posted: 17/04/2020

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic lockdown has led to a surge in viewership of online video streaming services.


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