News Archive - 2020

Public urged to help combat scam mail

Scamnesty launched to turn the tables on criminals

​Disclosure of hidden referral fees should be made mandatory

Review into referral fees in the estate agency industry published

World Alzheimer’s Day: action on scams

Anyone can be the victim of a scam, however some people are more vulnerable to scams and criminals will use this to their advantage.

New Covid-19 tactics to rip off consumers

Warning issued as criminals exploit new fraud opportunities

Fall in knives sold by national retailers to children

The number of knives sold to children by national retailers appears to have fallen significantly, according to new test purchasing data published by National Trading Standards.

Faulty and unsafe cars for sale across the South West

​A trading standards investigation into second-hand car sales across the South West has uncovered traders selling faulty and unsafe used cars that could cause an accident or lead to high repair costs.

Rise in telephone scams predicted as lockdown eases

As COVID-19 lockdown measures start to ease, National Trading Standards is predicting a rise in scam telephone calls as illegitimate call centres around the world get back to work.

Businesses join forces to combat COVID-19 scams

More than 100 organisations are spearheading a new initiative to combat fraud against businesses as more companies and employees adjust to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing their exposure to sophisticated business scams.

Protecting businesses from COVID-19 scams

Malicious email attachments, false government grant phone calls and CEO impersonation scams are among a raft of scams undermining businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beware of COVID-19 scams

Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about COVID-19 to prey on members of the public, particularly older and vulnerable people who are isolated from family and friends. National Trading Standards is warning people to remain vigilant following a rise in coronavirus-related scams that seek to benefit from the public’s concern and uncertainty over COVID-19.

ASA will now refer property raffle complaints to NTSELAT

A new approach to handling complaints about ads for property raffles has been agreed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT).

Estate agents urged to provide feedback on referral fees guidance

The National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency Team and The Property Ombudsman have today launched a survey to assess awareness and uptake of the transparency rules around referral fees linked to property buying and selling.

BBC Radio 4 report on ‘Quick Sale Agents’