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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.
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OPSS launches Christmas online toy safety campaign
Posted: 30/11/2020
OPSS has produced safety tips on how to shop safely online for children’s Christmas toys.
Black Friday: UK-based online retailers safer option with EU Exit looming
Posted: 26/11/2020
With COVID-19 restrictions closing much of the high street, this year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday, on Friday 27 and Monday 30 December respectively are likely to see another surge in online sales.
Royal Mail delivery scam hits inboxes as Christmas approaches
Posted: 24/11/2020
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has seen evidence of an email scam centred around Royal Mail deliveries.
Test and Trace Scam seen in England and Wales now also targets Scotland
Posted: 18/11/2020
CTSI was sent evidence a couple of days ago of a Scottish version of the scam which mimics the Scottish Government's Test and Protect system. Individuals received Whatsapp messages from unknown numbers asking them to message back. If the recipient messages back, the person then asks for personal details which could be used for identity theft.
Consumers urged to think before they buy online
Posted: 17/11/2020
The COVID-19 coronavirus lockdowns have led to a rise in consumer spending online. 87% of UK consumers are estimated to have purchased a product online, and the public spends around £2bn a week on online purchases.
Half of British consumers have had a parcel delivery issue since first March lockdown
Posted: 16/11/2020
Almost half of British adults (47%) have had issues with parcel delivery since the country first went into lockdown in March, new research by Citizens Advice reveals.
COVID-19: Bogus HMRC calls continue to target public
Posted: 11/11/2020
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has uncovered another telephone scam from individuals pretending to represent HMRC.
Green Homes Grant Scheme deadline too short warns CTSI
Posted: 06/11/2020
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute's Lead Officer for Energy and Climate Change, Steve Playle, warns that the Government's Green Homes Grant Scheme (GHGS) may be subject to opportunists and fraud due to its short deadline.
CTSI podcasts highlight concerns around UK consumer protection after Brexit
Posted: 30/10/2020
With EU exit day fast approaching, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has released a series of ten podcasts discussing the potential effects on UK consumer protection after the Brexit transition period ends on 1 January 2021. The podcasts accompany CTSI's EU Exit online training modules.
Clarity sought over future of UK European Consumer Centre
Posted: 28/10/2020
The UK European Consumer Centre (UK ECC), a consumer service joint-funded by the UK Government and the EU could face closure, and its staff made redundant if action is not taken to retain its funding after December 31.
CTSI welcomes Virgin Holidays' £203m customer refund commitment
Posted: 27/10/2020
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) supports the action of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to have Virgin Holidays refund all customers whose package holidays were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phoney COVID marshals targeting doorsteps
Posted: 23/10/2020
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has received reports of incidences involving people pretending to be COVID marshals and medical professionals to gain access to people's homes.
