News Articles
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Pair sentenced for role in building fraud
24th November 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo directors from the north east whose company carried out fraudulent and dangerous home improvement works that cost victims thousands of pounds have been sentenced at Teesside Crown Court today (24 October 2023).
Read MoreRogue builder who scammed Swindon residents jailed for 15 months
3rd November 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesA Swindon builder who defrauded 18 victims in his home town and along the M4 corridor has been jailed for 15 months.
Read MoreNine sales agents sentenced for role in Andrew Pilley fraud
27th October 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesNine sales agents who tricked small businesses into buying overpriced energy contracts and convinced them not to sign up for better value alternatives have been sentenced today at Preston Crown Court court for their role in a complex fraud case. This is the latest milestone in the legal case that saw Andrew Pilley, the owner of Fleetwood Town Football Club and a range of other businesses, sentenced to 13 years in prison following a hearing in Preston Crown Court on Tuesday 4 July.
Read More19 million lose money to scams but fewer than a third report
25th October 2023 • Posted in News Articles#NoBlameNoShame campaign launched to encourage people to talk about scams
Read MoreEssex solar fraudsters prosecuted for conning elderly victims
17th October 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesA complex fraud investigation into the mis-selling of energy saving products to vulnerable victims has resulted in seven prosecutions.
Read MoreEssex solar fraudsters prosecuted for conning elderly victims
16th October 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesA complex fraud investigation into the mis-selling of energy saving products to vulnerable victims has resulted in seven prosecutions.
Read MoreNTS Scams Team helps ICO tackle nuisance calls
2nd October 2023 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreFraudulent builder sentenced to 5 years for botched extensions
14th September 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesA builder from Mansfield who pressured householders across the East Midlands into paying for shoddy extensions that in many cases needed demolishing, has been sentenced today at Nottingham Crown Court.
Read MoreSix fraudsters sentenced to 22.5 years for £10.5 million home improvement scam
7th September 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesSix fraudsters who conned elderly residents out of £10.5 million for over-priced and often unnecessary home improvement work have been sentenced to a combined total of 22.5 years at Nottingham Crown Court today (7 September 2023). Many of the group's victims were elderly and vulnerable people in their 80s and 90s, with some of the most vulnerable repeatedly and cynically targeted.
Read MoreRevised guidance published on terms used in property advertising
15th August 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesRevised guidance has been published by the National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency Team with regard to supplementary terms used when marketing properties.
Read MoreFraudulent builder sentenced to 4 years and three months immediate custodial sentence
11th August 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesA fraudulent builder from Swindon who left work unfinished after pressuring victims to pay more than the agreed price has been sentenced at Reading Crown Court today (11 August 2023).
Read MoreIlford pair sentenced to for selling dangerous counterfeit phone chargers on eBay
25th July 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo men from Ilford who sold £90,000 worth of dangerous counterfeit electrical goods that put consumers at risk of electrocution and posed a fire risk were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (Friday 21 July).
Read MoreAndrew Pilley sentenced to 13 years in prison for fraud
4th July 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesAndrew Pilley, the owner of Fleetwood Town Football Club and a range of other businesses, has been sentenced to 13 years in pirson following a hearing in Preston Crown Court today (Tuesday 4 July).
Read MoreTrading Standards investigation leads to jail sentence for fraudulent ‘car-clocking’ operation
12th June 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesHampshire County Council Trading Standards has welcomed a successful prosecution following their investigation into the fraudulent sale of second-hand cars
Read MoreRogue trader sentenced for selling clocked cars worth over £350,000
31st May 2023 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreBirmingham man jailed for 27 months for supplying counterfeit designer goods
30th May 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesA Birmingham man has been handed a 27 month custodial sentence at Birmingham Crown Court today after being found guilty of trademark offences.
Read MoreAndrew Pilley found guilty on four counts of fraud
23rd May 2023 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreFamily who pocketed £2m from website scam sentenced to 21 years
15th May 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesA family who made over £2 million using deliberately misleading websites to trick people into paying for European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), which were freely available from the official NHS website, have been sentenced today at Leeds Crown Court following an investigation by National Trading Standards.
Read MoreBuilders successfully prosecuted for carrying out unnecessary work
13th April 2023 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo brothers from Minety and a third man from Aldermaston have today (13 April), been given prison sentences, following a successful prosecution by Wiltshire Council supported by the National Trading Standards South West Regional Investigation Team.
Read MoreHome improvement fraudster sentenced to three years in prison
23rd December 2022 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreOnline ticket touts ordered to pay £6.1m
14th December 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo ‘ticket touts’ who fraudulently resold event tickets have been ordered to pay back £6,167,522.02 at a hearing at Leeds Crown Court today. The confiscation order was handed down at the latest hearing associated with the UK’s first successful prosecutions and convictions against a company fraudulently reselling tickets on a large scale.
Read MorePublic urged to help fight mail scams
28th November 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards is encouraging members of the public to send in scam mail in a ‘Scamnesty’ running until 23 December.
Read MoreCrackdown on counterfeits as UK shoppers hunt for bargains
24th November 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA Black Friday crackdown by enforcement bodies and Meta has been launched to remove listings of potential counterfeit products from Instagram in the run-up to Black Friday.
Read MoreDoorstep criminals who targeted elderly victims sentenced
11th November 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo criminals who conned vulnerable people out of tens of thousands have today been sentenced.
Read MoreLosing just £100 to a scam would tip 13 million into crisis
3rd November 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards highlights threats to look out for as criminals exploit cost-of-living fears.
Read MoreFish seller who conned elderly out of £100K sentenced to 3 and a half years
31st October 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA door-to-door fish seller who targeted elderly and vulnerable customers using dishonest and aggressive sales techniques has today been sentenced.
Read MoreThreatening fish seller who scammed victims as old as 105 sentenced to 5 years and 7 months
27th October 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA mobile fish seller who scammed vulnerable victims has today been sentenced to 5 years and 7 months.
Read MoreAggressive fish seller who scammed elderly jailed for eight months
23rd September 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA fish seller who sold poor-quality fish to elderly people using aggressive business tactics handed an eight month custodial sentence.
Read MoreLetting agent sentenced after leaving landlords out of pocket
26th August 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA Newmarket letting agent who defrauded his customers has today been jailed for 34 months.
Read MoreRogue roofer receives prison sentence
9th August 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA roofer who left customers with large repair bills after carrying out shoddy work has today been jailed for 3 years and 3 months.
Read MoreUK victims of international mass marketing scam to be compensated from recovered monies
19th July 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesCompensation roll-out begins following landmark investigation.
Read MoreNational Trading Standards publishes guidance on Part A material information for property listings
12th July 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesThe National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) has published new guidance to help agents ensure they are meeting their requirements under Part A of the process to improve material information in property listings.
Read MoreRogue HGV training provider handed 12 month suspended sentence
24th June 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA rogue Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) training provider who conned people across the country out of more than £63,000 has been handed a suspended prison sentence and disqualified from being a director for five years. At Harrow Crown Court on Friday 24 June he was found guilty of misleading consumers under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.
Read MoreConsumer Minister becomes millionth recruit to scam-fighting initiative Friends Against Scams
16th June 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards scheme reaches ‘one million Friends’ milestone and saves society £59m.
Read MoreEnforcement action stops sale of over £50k of unsafe electrical goods
31st May 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesHavering Council’s trading standards team helped to stop unsafe electrical goods being sold to the public in an investigation which saw a company director prosecuted.
Read More‘Price on application’ in property listings deemed unlawful as National Trading Standards publishes opinion
5th May 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) has today published its opinion*, developed with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), that the use of ‘POA’ or ‘price on application’ in property listings (principally sales listings) contravenes consumer protection legislation.
Read MoreTorquay builder sentenced to 43 months for building work fraud
27th April 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA tradesman from Torquay has today been handed a 43-month custodial sentence and a Criminal Behaviour Order for 10 years at Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to running a fraudulent business.
Read MoreNational Trading Standards appoints new Chair
8th April 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesThe National Trading Standards Board is delighted to confirm that Lord Michael Bichard will take over as the Chair of National Trading Standards from 1 June 2022.
Read MoreTwo sentenced after pleading guilty to money laundering in £500K timeshare fraud
24th March 2022 • Posted in News Articles Read More13 million illegal cigarettes taken off the streets in first year of major operation
9th March 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesIllegal tobacco products worth more than £7 million have been seized in the first year* of a major crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade by National Trading Standards (NTS) and HMRC.
Read MoreMaterial information for property listings announced
21st February 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesA property's council tax band or rate and the property price and tenure information (for sales) must be included on all property listings by the end of May 2022 and these data fields will start to appear on portals over the coming weeks.These changes represent the first phase of a project by the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team, in partnership with industry leaders and the UK’s major property portals*, to define what constitutes material information for property listings.
Read MoreBrothers sentenced for home maintenance fraud following extradition
10th February 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo brothers have been sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today after pleading guilty to one count of participating in a fraudulent roofing and building business on December 22 at Bristol Crown Court.
Read MoreProperty improvement fraudsters sentenced
4th February 2022 • Posted in News ArticlesThree fraudsters have been sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (4 February 2022) for their part in an elaborate property improvement scam which saw victims conned into paying deposits totalling nearly £800,000 for building work that was never undertaken.
Read MoreRogue builder sentenced to five years in prison
16th December 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesVictims conned out of tens of thousands of pounds by Bath fraudster
Read MoreScams Team wins Tackling Economic Crime Award
10th December 2021 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreOnline shoppers buy 80 million ‘disappointing’ items based on rave reviews
2nd December 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards urges consumers to beware of fake online reviews when Christmas shopping
Read MoreSecondary ticketing fraud appeal rejected in court
26th November 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesThe Court of Appeal has today (26 November 2021) dismissed appeals from two online ‘ticket touts’ who were jailed on 24 February 2020 in a landmark case heard at Leeds Crown Court.
Read MoreFake show home behind home improvements scam
24th November 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesThree men who conspired to defraud victims across London and the home counties have been found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (24 November) for their part in a property improvement scam. A fourth individual pleaded guilty to one count of fraud earlier in the proceedings.
Read MoreWhatsApp launches ‘STOP. THINK. CALL.’ campaign to stamp out message-based scams
11th November 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesWhatsApp enlists ‘Scambassador’ Joel Dommett to encourage the British public to Stop. Think. Call. before responding to a suspicious message that may be a scam
Read MoreMillions of illegal tobacco products seized as part of crackdown on illicit tobacco trade
15th October 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesMore than five million illegal cigarettes have been seized from local retail outlets in the first six months of the year as part of Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to tackle the illegal tobacco trade.
Read MoreCrackdown on criminal fish sellers continues across the North East
1st October 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesCriminal trader from County Durham receives custodial sentence
Read MoreNew crackdown launched in Wales to curb illegal puppy market
24th September 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesA new operation has been launched to tackle the growing number of illegal puppy farms following a multi-agency investigation led by National Trading Standards and Trading Standards Wales.
Read MoreDoorstep crime to rise as office return gathers pace
16th September 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesTwin threats to vulnerable as criminals resume doorstep tactics whilst scaling up mass marketing scams; reports jump 76% during pandemic.
Read MoreBanned estate agent sentenced for unlawfully engaging in estate agency work
26th August 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesA banned West Midlands estate agent has today been sentenced to a custodial sentence of six weeks, suspended for two years, and fined £4,000 at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to unlawfully engaging in estate agency work.
Read MoreBirmingham man sentenced to four years imprisonment for running a counterfeit clothing factory
24th August 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesA Birmingham man has been sentenced today (23 August 2021) to four years imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court today after previously pleading guilty to 26 offences for manufacturing and selling fake designer clothes.
Read MoreCracking down on criminals who target self-storage industry
12th August 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesA new initiative is launched to crack down on criminals using self-storage facilities fraudulently.
Read MoreFish fraudsters sentenced to a combined total of 8 years
18th June 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesToday three mobile fish sellers who defrauded and knowingly misled elderly and vulnerable consumers out of approximately £325,000 have been sentenced to a combined total of 8 years at Teesside Crown Court.
Read More36 million Brits targeted by a scammer so far this year
14th June 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesMore than two thirds of British adults (36 million) have been targeted by a scammer since January, new research by Citizens Advice has found.
Read MoreOnline retailers fined £179,755 for selling knives to children
8th June 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesProsecutions follow National Trading Standards test purchasing programme
Read MoreImproving material information on property listings
20th April 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards is launching a new programme with input from property portals and industry groups to make it as easy as possible for estate and letting agents to provide basic essential material information.
Read MoreScam and nuisance phone calls return to pre-COVID-19 levels
4th February 2021 • Posted in News ArticlesNew findings highlight a surge in the proportion of scam and nuisance calls as callers target people over the age of 70 to exploit new and unfamiliar processes associated with COVID-19, such as applying for swab tests and vaccines.
Read MorePublic urged to help combat scam mail
3rd December 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesScamnesty launched to turn the tables on criminals
Read MoreConviction following investigation into drainage company
26th November 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesSouthampton City Council’s Trading Standards service, working in partnership with the Regional Investigation Team, have secured a significant conviction against a rogue plumbing and drainage engineer.
Read MoreNorth East fish fraudster jailed
30th October 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA mobile fish seller who defrauded vulnerable households out of £100,000 has been sentenced today at Teesside Crown Court to 60 months in prison, reduced to 40 months for an early guilty plea.
Read MoreDisclosure of hidden referral fees should be made mandatory
2nd October 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesReview into referral fees in the estate agency industry published
Read MoreWorld Alzheimer’s Day: action on scams
21st September 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesAnyone can be the victim of a scam, however some people are more vulnerable to scams and criminals will use this to their advantage.
Read MoreFraud network sentenced under Croydon-led nationwide case
17th September 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesSix people involved in duping vulnerable homeowners out of £400,700 for bogus roof repairs have been sentenced in a Croydon Council prosecution working with National Trading Standards.
Read MoreNew Covid-19 tactics to rip off consumers
14th September 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesWarning issued as criminals exploit new fraud opportunities
Read MoreTrio sentenced to more than nine years for home improvement scam
26th August 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesThree scammers have been sentenced to a combined total of 9 ¼ years (111 months) at Birmingham Crown Court today (26 August 2020) for their part in running a fraudulent home improvement company in Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire.
Read MoreFall in knives sold by national retailers to children
11th August 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesThe 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.
Read MoreHusband and wife sentenced for driving school scam
24th July 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA couple who mis-sold driving lessons to thousands of learner drivers across the country have been sentenced to 46 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, at Leeds Crown Court today (Friday 24th July) after pleading guilty to breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.
Read MoreRise in telephone scams predicted as lockdown eases
8th July 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesAs 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.
Read MoreJailed director ordered to pay back scam earnings
2nd July 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA company director has been ordered to return £150,000 to the public purse following a hearing today (2 July) at Leeds Crown Court.
Read MoreCouple Sentenced for Online Plumbing Scam
10th June 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA couple who ran an online plumbing services scam have each been sentenced to six months imprisonment (suspended for 12 months) and ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work.
Read MorePrison sentence for council tax scammer
22nd May 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA criminal who ran a council tax scam across the North West has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison following a recent hearing at Liverpool Crown Court (22 May).
Read MoreBusinesses join forces to combat COVID-19 scams
14th May 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesMore 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.
Read MoreProtecting businesses from COVID-19 scams
23rd April 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesMalicious 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.
Read MoreBeware of COVID-19 scams
24th March 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesUnscrupulous 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.
Read MoreTime Behind Bars for Plumbing Criminals
5th March 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesSeven men have been sentenced at Leicester Crown Court for their part in a fraudulent emergency plumbing operation that preyed on victims across the country. Three of the men received custodial sentences totalling more than four years following an investigation by Trading Standards officers at Leicestershire County Council.
Read MoreISD supplier ordered to pay back more than £520,000
28th February 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesJohn Dodds must return money to 'public purse' after prison sentence for supplying illegal streaming devices
Read MoreASA will now refer property raffle complaints to NTSELAT
27th February 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA 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).
Read MoreJudge’s commendation for case against rogue trader
27th February 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesJudge Jeremy Jenkins commended Powys County Council yesterday at Merthyr Crown Court for prosecuting a rogue trader who targeted vulnerable males in Powys and South Wales and other parts of the UK in a ‘leather jacket’ scam.
Read MorePair jailed for secondary ticketing fraud
24th February 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo ‘ticket touts’ from London have been sentenced to a total of six-and-a-half years behind bars following a ground-breaking hearing at Leeds Crown Court today. The sentences follow the first successful prosecution against a company fraudulently reselling tickets on a large scale.
Read MoreFairman by name, conman by nature
13th February 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA tradesman from Swindon has been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment suspended for two years at Bristol Crown Court today, Thursday 13th February 2020, after pleading guilty to two counts of fraudulent trading. He was also disqualified from being a director of a company for 8 years, must complete 160 hours unpaid work and wear an electronic tag for 3 months with curfew.
Read MoreFather and stepdaughter ordered to pay back over £400,000
12th February 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo individuals have been ordered to pay back £424,560 for their part in a ‘leisure club’ scam. The confiscation orders were handed down at Birmingham Crown Court on 12 February 2020, where Dominic O’Reilly and Stephanie O’Reilly were ordered to pay £274,560 and £150,000 respectively for their part in running Eze Europe Ltd and linked businesses.
Read MoreEstate agents urged to provide feedback on referral fees guidance
7th February 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesThe 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.
Read MoreTrio found guilty of home improvement scam
31st January 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesThree individuals and a company have been found guilty of 34 offences for conning people into paying for overpriced, ineffective or unnecessary home improvement work and taking payment for work that was never even started. The convictions were handed down at Birmingham Crown Court on 31 January following an investigation by the National Trading Standards Regional Investigations Team in Central England, hosted by Birmingham City Council.
Read MoreBBC Radio 4 report on ‘Quick Sale Agents’
25th January 2020 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreMail Scammers Found Guilty of Tricking Elderly Consumers
21st January 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA company that sent out scam promotional mailings to elderly consumers has been fined £150,000 at York Magistrates’ Court today (21 January 2020) after being found guilty of tricking recipients into thinking they had won, or could win, substantial cash prizes. The company has also been ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170 and prosecution costs of £10,763.84.
Read MoreDurham builder sentenced for misleading and aggressive business practices
17th January 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA building company director from County Durham has been sentenced to 8 months in prison at Teesside Crown Court after pleading guilty to 14 counts of using misleading and aggressive commercial practices.
Read MoreDriveway Repair Criminal Ordered To Pay £150,000
10th January 2020 • Posted in News ArticlesA man found guilty of running a fraudulent tarmac repair business has been ordered to pay back £150,000 to his victims at a Proceeds of Crime hearing at Cardiff Crown Court. The POCA proceedings follow his five-and-a-half-year prison sentence handed down in August 2018 for his crimes. Failure to pay this sum within three months could result in an additional prison sentence of two years.
Read MoreRise in Modern Slavery in Fraud and Scams
27th November 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesOrganised crime groups are playing an increased role in doorstep crime and other scams, according to the annual Consumer Harm Report published today by National Trading Standards.
Read MoreLloyds Banking Group joins 'Friends Against Scams' campaign
21st November 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards and Lloyds Banking Group have today announced a new partnership designed to prevent people falling victim to scams.
Read MoreLGA joins national campaign to prevent scams
4th November 2019 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreFree call blockers for victims of scam and nuisance phone calls
15th October 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesFree call blockers are being made available to people who believe they are being targeted with scam and nuisance phone calls. Between 1,800 and 2,000 call blockers are being provided on a first come, first served basis by the National Trading Standards Scams Team. Local authorities and care providers are expected to apply on behalf of victims – and individual applications from victims or family members will also be available.
Read MoreFive sentenced following fraud case
30th September 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesThe director and employees of an energy company that claimed to recover overpayments and VAT from UK energy suppliers for small businesses have been sentenced to a combined total of 13 years at Nottingham Crown Court today (Friday 30 August).
Read MoreCold-calling fish seller ordered to repay victims
27th September 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesA doorstep criminal who ran fish-selling businesses that contravened consumer protection regulations has been sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court today (27 September). Adam Brown used a number of illegal sales techniques to exploit consumers, resulting in nearly £8,500 lost by consumers from nearly 60 transactions.
Read MoreCriminals sentenced for money laundering fraudulent rental payments
20th September 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesThree London criminals have been sentenced after pleading guilty to money laundering in April 2019. Two criminals were sentenced on 27 June 2019 and the third was sentenced on 21 September – all the sentences were handed down at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Read MoreNew Resources to Educate Young People on Fraud and Scams
12th September 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesFriends Against Scams initiative to include adaptable interactive workshops for children aged 8-16
Read MoreRetailers urged to do more to stop the sale of knives to under 18s
29th August 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesNew test purchasing data* published today shows that children have been able to buy knives from small independent stores and some of the biggest names on the high street, despite the major retailers pledging** to stop the sale of knives to children.
Read MoreRedress scheme warning for Estate and Letting Agents
24th July 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesEstate and Letting Agents in the UK are being urged to check that they are signed up with an approved redress scheme that covers the full remit of their work. The warning follows a recent tribunal that penalised a business that was signed up to a redress scheme for its letting agency work but not for its property management work.
Read MoreMan Sentenced For Selling Illegal Satellite TV Boxes
10th July 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesA South Tyneside man has been sentenced to 21 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after admitting selling illegal satellite TV boxes.
Read MoreFoyer Trader Convicted of Defrauding Customers
3rd July 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesA man who operated a fraudulent business that sold kitchens and bathrooms to consumers out of Tesco supermarket foyers has received a 98 week prison sentence, suspended for 2 years, at Harrow Crown Court. He has also been ordered to complete 150 hours community service, pay Brent & Harrow Trading Standards costs of £59,354 and a statutory charge of £100.
Read MoreCar Dealership Fined £50k For Consumer Breaches
9th May 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesA second-hand car dealer based in Keighley has been ordered to pay £53,567 for secondhand vehicle sales that misled consumers. The fines were handed down at Leeds Magistrates Court on 30 April 2019 after the company entered guilty pleas relating to six breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.
Read MoreNew team to help ensure estate and letting agents act within the law
17th April 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesA new team has been set up to provide greater protection for renters in England from letting agents who charge illegal tenant fees. This follows legislation that will ban tenant fees in the private sector in England from 1 June 2019. The new enforcement team – being led by National Trading Standards – will be responsible for regulating the private rental sector in England, protecting tenants and safeguarding compliant letting agents.
Read MoreMother and son ordered to pay back customers for Dyson vacuum fraud
15th April 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesA mother and son who ran a company that fraudulently serviced Dyson vacuum cleaners have been ordered to pay back more than £370,000 at a proceeds of crime hearing at Leeds Crown Court. Thomas Scoffin, director of Leeds-based Excel Servicing Ltd, and his mother, Linda Scoffin, were convicted in 2017 of conspiracy to defraud and sentenced to a total of ten years in prison following an investigation by National Trading Standards.
Read MoreSuspected computer software fraudsters arrested
12th April 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesThree people suspected of being involved in computer fraud have been arrested. Trading standards officers and police officers executed entry warrants at the homes of a 64 year old man and a 34 year old woman in Birmingham, and a 34 year old man in Swindon. They have been interviewed and released pending further investigation. A 65 year old woman from Tamworth agreed to be interviewed by police without the need for arrest. A further suspect remains at large.
Read MoreFather and daughter sentenced to 46 months for timeshare ‘leisure credit’ scam
21st March 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesFollowing an investigation by the National Trading Standards Regional Investigation Team Central England, Dominic O’Reilly (55) of Costa Adeje, Tenerife was sentenced to a total of 28 months imprisonment and his step-daughter, Stephanie O’Reilly (30) of Dickens Heath, Solihull was sentenced to a total of 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, for their part in a timeshare ‘leisure credit’ scam.
Read MoreRetailers must do more on knife sales
15th March 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards is calling on retailers to do more to prevent knife crime after interim findings from a new programme of test purchasing revealed many were selling knives without undertaking required age verifications.
Read MoreNational Trading Standards Estate Agency Team launches new industry guidance on referral fees
28th February 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards has today published new guidance on referral fees received by estate agents across the UK, which will make previously hidden fees open and transparent to consumers.
Read MoreNational Trading Standards Estate Agency Team launch new leasehold guidance
29th January 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesToday the National Trading Standards Estate Agency (NTSEAT) team has released a guide for consumers seeking redress for leasehold matters. This is the latest step taken by NTSEAT to help protect home buyers from confusing and complicated leasehold charges.
Read MoreNational Trading Standards Regional Investigations Team seize thousands of counterfeit and unsafe goods
18th January 2019 • Posted in News ArticlesA joint operation between the National Trading Standards Regional Investigations Team Central England, Birmingham Trading Standards, West Midlands Police and partners including the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), the National Markets Group (NMG) and brand representatives, has resulted in the seizure of £2.5 million worth of counterfeit and unsafe products including clothing, jewellery and cosmetics.
Read MoreConsumers failing to protect themselves from online fraud this sales season
20th December 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesHunt for a bargain putting shoppers at risk of falling victim to online scams, warns National Trading Standards
Read MoreMan sentenced to 10 months in prison for role in carpentry fraud
17th December 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesFollowing an investigation by the National Trading Standards Investigation Team (Wales), a 23 year old Newport man has today been sentenced to 10 months in prison and 180 hours unpaid work at Cardiff Crown Court for six offences of fraud. The prosecution was conducted by Newport City Council as two of the offences took place in the city.
Read MoreRunaway criminal sentenced to seven and a half years for role in land banking fraud
17th December 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesThe fifth man involved in a land banking scam where innocent victims were conned out of over £35 million has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and banned from being a company director for 15 years at Blackfriars Crown Court today. James Maynard is the final defendant to be sentenced in this case after fleeing the country before the original trial took place in March 2013.
Read MoreHome Office fund expansion of Scam Marshals programme
7th November 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards’ flagship Scam Marshals programme is to be expanded thanks to new funding from the Home Office as part of the government’s Loneliness Strategy.
Read MoreConsumer Harm Report 2018
27th September 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards’ annual Consumer Harm Report reveals more consumer detriment prevented and record prison sentences handed down. Report also highlights new and emerging threats facing consumers and businesses.
Read MoreDriveway repair fraudster sentenced to five and a half years
30th August 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesA man has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for defrauding vulnerable and elderly consumers across the country out of at least £300,000 at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court today. The sentencing follows a nationwide case taken by Powys County Council Trading Standards supported by the National Trading Standards Investigation Team Wales.
Read MorePassport service website operator sentenced
2nd August 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesA man who operated websites which conned consumers out of £1.6m has been handed a one year suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £200,000 within 28 days at Leeds Crown Court today. The sentence comes after he pleaded guilty to breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 following a National Trading Standards investigation.
Read MoreSuccessful project blocks over 100,000 nuisance calls
6th July 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesTelephone scammers who target vulnerable and elderly consumers with scams and nuisance telephone calls have been stopped in their tracks, with a National Trading Standards project blocking more than 100,000 unwanted calls in less than a year.
Read MoreWebsite Owner Sentenced for Duping Consumers into thinking it was the DVLA
26th June 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesAt Reading Crown Court on 20th June 2018, MICHAEL FREEMAN, 46, of Huntercombe Lane North, Taplow, Maidenhead, was sentenced to 9 months in custody suspended for a period of 2 years after pleading guilty to engaging in an unfair commercial practice in relation to a website www.drivinglicenses.org.uk that consumers thought was the DVLA. In addition the Court set a timetable for confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Read MoreNTSEAT launches agent survey into use of referral fees
19th June 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT), with the support of The Property Ombudsman and the Property Redress Scheme, have today launched a survey to assess the use of referral fees among estate agents.
Read MoreMan who claimed to 'cure cancer' with blood test and food fined and handed Criminal Behaviour Order
20th April 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesA man who said he could cure diseases such as cancer and diabetes using just blood tests and food has been fined a total of £2,250 and handed a Criminal Behaviour Order at Blackfriars Crown Court today.
Read MoreSeven sentenced for mobility product scam
19th April 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesSeven people have been sentenced to three years in prison at Cambridge Crown Court today for their role in a scam that targeted homeowners on their doorsteps.
Read MoreThree sentenced to 10 years in prison for roles in home improvement fraud
20th March 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesFollowing a trial at Chester Crown Court that lasted 4 weeks, three people have been sentenced to a total of almost 10 years on Friday 16th March for their roles in a home improvement fraud following an investigation by National Trading Standards.
Read MoreDreamwell couple ordered to pay £917,287
9th February 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesA husband and wife from Leeds convicted of consumer protection offences against vulnerable people have been ordered to pay back £917,287 under the Proceeds of Crime Act following a hearing at Leeds Crown Court.
Read MoreCall centre trader sentenced for role in computer repair scam
26th January 2018 • Posted in News ArticlesA call centre trader who misled consumers by claiming to be from Microsoft to carry out computer repairs has today [26 January 2018] been sentenced after pleading guilty to four unfair trading practices. Narendra Harilal Vadgama (age 56 of Babington Road, Barrow upon Soar, LE12 8NH), who traded under the name Internet Security Direct, admitted four charges brought under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Read MoreDirectors jailed for £300k plus claims scam
20th December 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesTWO company directors have each been jailed for three years after admitting a £300k plus claims scam involving fake compensation claims for mis-sold solar panels.
Read MoreCriminal record checks fraudster sentenced
18th December 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesMan sentenced to five years and ten months for fraudulent business
Read MoreNational Trading Standards statement - secondary ticketing
13th December 2017 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreChristmas shoppers forgo online safety checks
8th December 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesConcerns that Brits could put themselves at risk of online fraud this Christmas
Read MoreNational Trading Standards prevents £127 million in consumer losses
3rd November 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards (NTS) prevented nearly £127 million in losses to consumers and businesses over the last year, new figures from the third annual Consumer Harm Report reveal. This represents an increase of more than a third on last year and takes the total losses prevented by NTS over the last three years to nearly half a billion pounds (over £471 million).
Read MoreCompany director receives suspended prison sentence in unfair home improvement sales case
3rd November 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesToday (Friday 3rd November) at Hull Crown Court Mohammed Usman (age 36) of Highfield Lane, Keighley was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years and ordered to pay £39,752 compensation to his customers and £17,778.59 prosecution costs.
Read MoreCompany boss facing prison after conning businesses into thinking cash was for emergency services
25th October 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesWilliam Stringfellow, 51, of Killins Lane in Shotton, was convicted of conspiring to defraud at Mold Crown Court today (25th October). Stringfellow, who was the brains behind a company that conned businesses into believing it was a charity donating money to the emergency services, has been warned that he faces prison.
Read MoreCriminals sentenced in copyright infringement cases
21st October 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo men have been sentenced today at Teesside Crown Court after pleading guilty to charges relating to the sale of IPTV boxes which allowed people to illegally stream subscription content, infringing the rights of copyright holders. The convictions follow an investigation led by National Trading Standards.
Read MorePolice day of action after victims report losing over £59m to Binary Options fraud
20th October 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesAction Fraud reports show that Binary Options fraud is a growing problem. In just the first half of 2017, 697 people reported to have lost over £18 million. The day of action used Operation Broadway tactics, mostly visiting businesses occupying serviced offices and reviewing their compliance documents.
Read MoreBrothers sentenced for computer repair scam
6th October 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo brothers who ran a computer repair scam across England and Wales were sentenced to a total of four and a half years at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (6th October). This sentencing follows a lengthy investigation led by the National Trading Standards Central England Regional Investigations Team.
Read MoreTen years jail total for mother and son’s vacuum servicing fraud
25th September 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA mother and son who ran a company that fraudulently serviced Dyson vacuums have been sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today (25 September) for a total ten years for conspiracy to defraud following an investigation by National Trading Standards.
Read MoreMan convicted after fulfillment house investigation
14th September 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesThousands of dangerous and unsafe electrical products including children’s tablets and nail UV lamps have been seized after a trading standards investigation in Swansea.
Read MoreMan behind call blocker scam ordered to pay £128,950
13th September 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA rogue trader who defrauded hundreds of people and is currently serving a five year prison sentence following his conviction for fraud at Bournemouth Crown Court, has now been ordered to pay £128,950 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Read MoreDuo convicted of major vacuum servicing fraud
14th July 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo people who ran a company that fraudulently serviced Dyson vacuums have been convicted at Leeds Crown Court of conspiracy to defraud following an investigation by National Trading Standards.
Read MoreMake sure advertising claims are accurate, estate agencies are reminded
7th July 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesEstate agency businesses are being reminded to ensure that their advertising claims are accurate and truthful.
Read MoreShoppers swindled after buying ‘phantom goods’
30th June 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesMore and more people are being caught out by ‘phantom goods’ scams costing them an average of £1,100, Citizens Advice says.
Read MoreRogue trader who conned the elderly jailed
25th May 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA rogue trader who preyed on the vulnerable and defrauded 21 elderly victims out of £108,000 over almost two years has been jailed.
Read More£1.3m in ill-gotten gains seized from Derby-based advertising fraudsters
12th May 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesFour leading figures of a multi-million pound fraud involving a Derby-based company mis-selling advertising space have been ordered to hand over a combined £1.3m from their ill-gotten gains at a Nottingham Crown Court hearing today (Friday 12 May).
Read MoreGovernment helps dementia sufferers in fight against nuisance calls
6th April 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesPrime Minister Theresa May announces plan to give elderly and vulnerable people hi-tech devices to block nuisance calls.
Read MoreFour men sentenced to 11 years and 9 months in building fraud case
3rd April 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesThree men were sentenced today to a total of 11 years and 1 month for running a fraudulent property repair business which targeted elderly and vulnerable consumers across the Midlands, following a three week trial at Birmingham Crown Court. These sentences came after a fourth individual had already been sentenced on 17th March for his part in the scam.
Read MoreBlue Badge Online Scammer Fined
29th March 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA man and his company who misled disabled people into paying £49 a time for Blue Badge parking permits was sentenced to financial penalties totalling £15,457.35 today (29 March 2017) at York Magistrates’ Court.
Read MoreHartlepool man convicted of selling illegal media boxes
6th March 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA man who sold illegal media player boxes which allowed the free viewing of premium television content has pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to breaching the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988, following an investigation by the National Trading Standards North East Regional Investigations Team and Hartlepool Borough Council.
Read MoreTotal 40 months jail for Dreamwell couple
3rd March 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA husband and wife from Leeds convicted of consumer protection offences against vulnerable people have been sentenced to a total 40 months imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court today (3rd March).
Read MoreNational Trading Standards issues bogus helpline scam warning
22nd February 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards is warning consumers about a new scam targeting those looking for help with printer problems. The warning comes after a rise in the number of cases seen by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team.
Read MoreLeicester sales person has received a 22-month suspended sentence for pressurising and misleading advertising cold calls
9th February 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA criminal who misled and pressurised elderly and vulnerable people into paying for advertising worth £88,239 has received a 22-month suspended sentence at Nottingham Crown Court today (Thursday 9 February).
Read MoreProperty fraudster jailed after National Trading Standards investigation
7th February 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA property fraudster has been jailed following his conviction on 9 counts of fraud, theft and forgery. Tahir Khaliq was sentenced to 45 months imprisonment at Bolton Crown Court. His accomplice Paul Dickinson; acting as an employee in the property businesses received a two-year suspended sentence and 240 hours of community service for his involvement in 6 counts of insurance fraud. Their convictions follow a lengthy investigation by the National Trading Standards North West Regional Investigations Team.
Read MoreStatement from National Trading Standards
28th January 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesFollowing media coverage this morning regarding repeat victims lists, National Trading Standards has published the following statement.
Read MoreConman jailed over fake phone accessories
20th January 2017 • Posted in News ArticlesA man from Gosforth, Newcastle has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to nine offences relating to the possession and sale of counterfeit items and one offence of transferring criminal property, following an investigation by the National Trading Standards Scambuster North East Team and Newcastle Trading Standards.
Read MoreProducts Worth Millions Seized In Counterfeiting Crackdown
23rd December 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesAction taken as part of fourth phase of Operation Jasper, the biggest enforcement operation ever seen in the UK to combat counterfeiting and piracy on social media
Read MoreConman captured after absconding from Court
16th December 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesMichael Patrick Phelan (61) finally started his prison sentence yesterday (15 December), having been arrested in Bournemouth on 13th December by Dorset Police.
Read MoreNational Trading Standards response to National Audit Office report
15th December 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesResponding to today’s National Audit Office report Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:
Read MoreAlarm Fraudster Sent To Prison
4th November 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA cold calling criminal who conned elderly and vulnerable people out of over £150,000 has been sentenced to five years imprisonment today and disqualified from being a company director for eight years for his part in a fraudulent home alarm business.
Read MoreWarning To Consumers About Growing Online Threat
3rd November 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesConsumers are being deceived through the clever use of digital technologies and this is behind a number of emerging threats, including counterfeit and dangerous goods being advertised on social media platforms and misleading listings on online portals. The threats have been identified by National Trading Standards in its annual ‘Consumer Harm Report’, which highlights the types of scams people should look out for and how to report suspected criminal activity.
Read MorePrison Sentence For Man Behind Call Blocker Scam
31st October 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA rogue trader who defrauded hundreds of people has been sentenced to five years in prison and disqualified from being a director for ten years, following his conviction for fraud at Bournemouth Crown Court.
Read MoreCriminals Sentenced To 15 Years Following Multi-Million Pound Advertising Fraud
28th October 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA managing director and four co-directors of a Derby-based company have today (Friday 28 October) been sentenced to a total of 15 and half years at Nottingham Crown Court for their part in a multi-million pound fraud involving the mis-selling of advertising space to companies across the UK and Europe.
Read MoreConman sentenced to 7 ½ years for fraud and theft
11th October 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA man from Stourbridge was sentenced today to 7 ½ years imprisonment, having been found guilty yesterday of 33 offences of fraud and theft for running a business franchise scam between 1997 and 2010. The conviction and sentencing follows a lengthy investigation by the National Trading Standards Central England Scambuster Team and a trial lasting over 4 weeks.
Read MoreNew Campaign To Tackle Criminal Scams Launched
6th October 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA new campaign has launched today to raise awareness of scams and encourage people to take a stand against them. Scams often target people in vulnerable situations - the Friends Against Scams campaign aims to protect and prevent these people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to ‘Take a Stand Against Scams’.
Read MoreAdditional guidance on estate agency redress scheme membership issued
4th October 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesAdditional guidance on who should join an approved redress scheme if they work within the estate agency industry has today been issued.
Read MorePair jailed over fraudulent construction work
29th September 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA father and son who defrauded fifteen victims in South Wales of more than £70,000 have been sentenced today (29 September) to four and two years respectively at Cardiff Crown Court.
Read MoreStatement responding to The Property Ombudsman’s update to its Code of Practice
28th September 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesJames Munro, Team Leader of the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team, said:
Read MoreAlarm fraudster convicted
23rd September 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA cold calling criminal who conned elderly and vulnerable people out of over £150,000 has been found guilty at Bristol Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 22 September) of fraud and for breaching Consumer Protection legislation for his part in a fraudulent home alarm business.
Read MoreScams campaign scoops award
16th September 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesThe National Trading Standards Scams Team has seen its pioneering Friends Against Scams campaign recognised at the Government Counter Fraud Awards. The NTS Scams Team scooped the Excellence in Fraud Awareness award for the campaign.
Read MoreMassive haul of dangerous goods destroyed
2nd September 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesOver £232,000 worth of dangerous products destroyed
Read MoreEstate agents warned over 'portal juggling'
11th August 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesIllegal practice that misleads homebuyers on property websites in the spotlight.
Read MoreNew warning over scam mail
22nd July 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesNearly 750,000 pieces of scam mail have been prevented from entering the UK postal system in the last three months
Read MoreOperation Tackling Counterfeiting on Social Media Expands
5th July 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesOperation Jasper extended its reach into Eire in June and begins operating in Scotland this July as officers from Trading Standards and the Police in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are joined by their Scottish and Irish equivalents in the fight against social media counterfeiting. The move is part of the latest phase of Operation Jasper, which was launched in May 2015 to tackle counterfeiting and piracy on social media.
Read MoreSibling criminals sentenced to three years in debt recovery scam
5th July 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo criminals behind an elaborate debt recovery scam – which defrauded victims across the country out of tens of thousands of pounds – were sentenced to more than three years in prison at Chester Crown Court today (5 July). Mohammed Ali and Samira Saddique – who are brother and sister – pleaded guilty to offences of conspiracy to defraud and fraud by false representation. Ali was sentenced to 15 months in prison, whilst his sister Saddique received a two-year prison sentence. Both have also been disqualified from holding company directorships for five years.
Read MoreHusband pleads guilty, wife pleads not guilty to charges of £90k high-pressure sales to vulnerable consumers
4th July 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA husband and wife from Leeds charged with consumer protection offences against vulnerable customers have, at Leeds Crown Court today (4 July 2016), given opposing pleas.
Read MoreRedcar builder sentenced for unfair trading practices
28th June 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA Redcar builder who cheated residents out of more than £30,000 has been sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, and fined £6,000 after pleading guilty to a number offences at Teesside Crown Court.
Read MoreSouth West Scambusters bring fraudulent trader to justice
28th June 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA parking fraudster who was sentenced to 16 months in prison back in September has now been ordered to pay more than £150,000.
Read MoreFather and son who targeted elderly consumers convicted
21st June 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesVictims were intimidated into paying hundreds of pounds for shoddy driveway repairs
Read MoreDoorstep criminals who preyed on vulnerable are sentenced
16th June 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo criminals have each been sentenced to two years, suspended for two years, after swindling around 80 customers - including a wheelchair bound couple - out of an estimated total of £291,000 for shoddy and unnecessary housing repair works.
Read MorePrison sentences for unfair trading by kitchen businesses
8th June 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesSix people sentenced to go to prison for a total of 5 years 9 months after judge hears testimony from over 300 victims.
Read MoreSouth Wales quartet banned from estate agency work
6th June 2016 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreEstate agent banned following successful legal action by National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team
25th May 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesAn order banning a Brentwood man from estate agency work has taken effect after successful legal action by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT).
Read MoreNational Trading Standards partners with Home Instead to tackle elderly fraud
23rd May 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesA new partnership between the National Trading Standards Scams Team and home care provider, Home Instead Senior Care, will place Home Instead’s 8,000 caregivers at the forefront of a new scambusting initiative.
Read MoreBuying tickets online - checklist
21st May 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesPeople desperate to attend major pop concerts, music festivals and sporting events this summer face a greater risk of falling victim to criminals after online ticket fraud soared by 55 per cent.
Read MoreThree sentenced in criminal solar panel scam case
5th May 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesJustice served for 90 victims duped out of £30,000
Read MoreCar dealer sentenced to six years for failing to repay £6.2m
29th April 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesKirk Michael Claus (aged 51) of Slate Delf Farm, Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd has been sentenced to over six years in jail for failing to pay back £6.2 million gained from criminal activity
Read MoreCriminals to pay back almost £130,000 in compensation to vulnerable residents
18th February 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesMore than 35 victims who were ruthlessly targeted on their own doorsteps by a rogue building company have seen justice served after the company’s sole director, William Henry King, was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Maidstone Crown Court.
Read MoreCriminal solar panel firm owners convicted of fraud
8th February 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesPhilip Mark Harris (49) of Kingsbridge Devon and Roy John O’Grady (45) of Olton Road Solihull have been found guilty of fraud following a four-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Read MoreScam Email Warning
27th January 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesIn recent days fraudulent emails have been circulating offering compensation for a so-called “Microsoft Support Scam”.
Read MoreFive People Sentenced For £5.2m Publishing Fraud
22nd January 2016 • Posted in News ArticlesFive people have been sentenced for being part of a £5.2m publishing fraud which affected thousands of victims from across the country.
Read MoreLatest court success helps protect local communities
22nd December 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesThe National Trading Standards Scambuster Team East Midlands has welcomed the latest crown court outcome against a criminal who preyed on older and vulnerable people on their own doorsteps.
Read MoreWarnings over call recording services
22nd December 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesThe National Trading Standards e-crime Team is concerned about the possibility of fraud after a recent upsurge in call recording services, which people are using to provide proof of phone conversations with banking staff in the event of disputes.
Read MoreTrading Standards seize thousands of unsafe products
18th December 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesElectrical products detained in the run-up to Christmas
Read More32,000 hoverboards now assessed as unsafe at our ports and borders
16th December 2015 • Posted in News Articles Read MoreMinister hails counterfeiting crackdown on social media a success
14th December 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesEnforcement teams raided premises across the country last week as Operation Jasper, the UK’s biggest crackdown on counterfeiting and piracy enabled through social media, entered its second phase.
Read MoreThousands of unsafe ‘hoverboards’ detained over past seven weeks
3rd December 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesLatest figures from National Trading Standards and trading standards services in Scotland reveal more than 15,000 self-balancing scooters detained at UK points of entry. Major safety risks identified include issues with the plug, cabling, charger, battery or cut-off switch.
Read MorePoundstretcher gets massive fine for selling dodgy batteries
23rd November 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesHigh street discount retailer Poundstretcher has been fined £350,000 for selling tens of thousands of dodgy batteries that were potentially harmful to young children.
Read MoreInternet millionaire jailed over pyramid-selling scam
22nd October 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesAn internet conman is today behind bars after being found guilty of operating a series of online pyramid selling schemes.
Read MoreConsumers saved from losing £252m to rogue traders in a year
12th October 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesInaugural National Trading Standards ‘Consumer Harm Report’ reveals annual data and predicts biggest threats for 2016 including energy, lottery and telephone preference scams.
Read MoreBusiness grant online scam warning from Sutton Council
1st October 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesSutton Council has advised small businesses in the borough to be vigilant if approached about online grant advertising after a Buckinghamshire man received a suspended sentence for an elaborate grants scam that targeted businesses across the UK.
Read MoreThird UK redress scheme approved
1st October 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesA third UK redress for the property sales sector has been approved by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.
Read MoreDangerous fancy-dress costumes and toys to be destroyed
1st October 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesDangerous goods bound for the streets of Tyneside have been detained by National Trading Standards and will be destroyed after a stash of more than 1,000 items was impounded at the Port of Felixstowe.
Read MoreParking fraudster sent to prison
30th September 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesLeslie Smith of Minsterworth, Gloucestershire, trading as “Ringway Traffic Management”, “Traffic Management Solutions” and “Highway Safety Link”, was sentenced today at Bristol Crown Court to 16 months imprisonment for Fraudulent Trading contrary to Section 9 of the Fraud Act 2006.
Read MoreFeed Hygiene Explained
28th September 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesNational Trading Standards has produced a leaflet, which aims to explain the importance of feed hygiene enforcement and the impact of the National Trading Standards Feed Delivery Programme.
Read MoreDon’t get caught in the “New iPhone for £1” trap
8th September 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesApple is expected to unveil a new iPhone this week and the National Trading Standards eCrime Team is urging consumers to be on the lookout for criminals trying to exploit the hype by flooding popular social media platforms with misleading adverts and bogus offers.
Read MoreEstate agency enforcement toolkit available for trading standards
7th September 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesA new and innovative enforcement toolkit which has been designed to assist local authority trading standards enforcement staff to determine the levels of compliance of local estate agents has been launched.
Read MoreArrests following seizures of New Psychoactive Substances
3rd September 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo individuals have this week been arrested following an investigation into the manufacture and supply of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) or ‘legal highs’.
Read MoreBusiness grant scammer sentenced for online fraud
3rd September 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesA criminal who ran an elaborate business grants scam online was jailed yesterday for 18 months, suspended for two years.
Read MoreUpdated property sales guidance issued
1st September 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesAn updated version of the Guidance of Property Sales has today (Tuesday 1 September) been launched by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.
Read MoreTicket Warning to Rugby World Cup Fans
29th August 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesAdvice issued to supporters buying remaining tickets.
Read MoreHampshire County Council Trading Standards welcomes successful prosecution of counterfeit traders
14th August 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesHampshire County Council Trading Standards has welcomed a successful outcome in the courts, after three market traders were handed suspended sentences this week for selling counterfeit clothing at a Hampshire market.
Read MoreWakefield criminals guilty of VAT fraud and scamming elderly victims
31st July 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo people were today sentenced by HH Judge Marson QC for their activities whilst operating a West Yorkshire based Home Improvement Business and a mobility aid business Adjust 4 Life Ltd.
Read MoreVulnerable consumers saved over £5 million
23rd July 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesFight against mail scams intensifies during Scams Awareness Month
Read MoreCouncil worker launches national scams team to protect the vulnerable
2nd July 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesLouise Baxter received a Hero Award at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's Conference in Bournemouth on Thursday 2 July for the significant contribution she made to consumer protection in East Sussex, over and above her professional role.
Read MoreCopycat websites warning following further arrests
25th June 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesArrests at copycat website company after a surge of consumer complaints. National Trading Standards is once again warning consumers to be vigilant about ‘copycat’ websites – and to report suspect sites – following the arrest of five people this morning.
Read MoreLandmark crackdown on social media counterfeiting and piracy launched
24th June 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesBiggest enforcement operation ever seen in the England, Wales and Northern Ireland launched to combat piracy on social media
Read MoreCheap flights scam grounded
19th June 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesInvestigators from the National Trading Standards eCrime team based in York and North Yorkshire have brought a national travel company and its sole director to justice. TravelnTravel.co.uk lured consumers with the promise of cheap flights, but failed to honour them.
Read MoreNotts criminals sentenced for scam targeting the elderly and vulnerable
12th June 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesA Nottinghamshire-based gang that scammed pensioners of sums estimated to run into millions of pounds has been sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court today (Friday 12th June 2015).
Read MoreSouth West Scambusters dismantle counterfeiting operation
14th April 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo men from Weston-super-Mare have been convicted of trading in counterfeit goods following a lengthy investigation that uncovered more than 10,000 counterfeit items.
Read MoreOperation Kennet Cameo Auction Fraud Investigation
25th March 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesOn 6 Mar 2015, the successful conclusion to Operation Kennet was heard in Reading Crown Court after a complicated two year investigation by West Berkshire Council Trading Standards Service.
Read MoreWarning Over Millions of Unsafe Products Arriving at Our Ports and Borders
6th March 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesLatest figures from National Trading Standards reveal nearly two million unsafe or noncompliant products were identified between April and December 2014. Children’s toys, cosmetics and DIY products are biggest offenders.
Read More‘Buy Safe’ Checklist
4th March 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesAlthough it’s difficult to be 100% certain that a website or seller you are buying from is legitimate, there are some simple things you can do to increase the odds that you’re buying from an honest trader. Here is National Trading Standards’ new checklist to help you buy safe online.
Read MoreLuxury cars seized by Scambusters go under the hammer
26th February 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesFive Bentleys, a Ferrari and other prestige vehicles seized from criminals are being auctioned tomorrow (Friday 27 February) following an investigation by a York-based National Trading Standards Team.
Read MoreLocal ‘Oral B’ scammer sentenced
24th February 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesJocelyn Hunter of Willows Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire was convicted today at Swindon Crown Court of conspiracy to import and distribute counterfeit goods and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.
Read MorePair fined for running Green Deal business
22nd January 2015 • Posted in News ArticlesTwo men who misled consumers through a Cardiff-based green deal business have been fined at Cardiff Crown Court in a prosecution brought by Newport City Council and the National Trading Standards Scambusters Team of Wales.
Read More£6.5 million payback ordered for West Yorkshire rogue car dealers
16th December 2014 • Posted in News ArticlesA judge has ordered £6.5 million payback under the Proceeds of Crime Act as a result of what is believed to be the UK’s largest seizure of vehicles from a single rogue trader.
Read MoreCouncil Tax Re-Banding Scammers Sentenced
27th November 2014 • Posted in News ArticlesThree people at the heart of a country-wide council tax re-banding scam were today sentenced by His Honour Judge Kearl QC at Leeds Crown Court, following a year-long investigation and prosecution by the National Trading Standards Scambuster Team.
Read MoreClosing In On Doorstep Criminals
3rd November 2014 • Posted in News ArticlesCommunities urged to support vulnerable residents and report doorstep callers.
Read MoreOver £100,000 Returned During Scam Mail Crackdown
15th October 2014 • Posted in News ArticlesMore than 6,000 people have had money returned to them as a result of a new crackdown on prize draw mail scams.
Read MoreRogue trader jailed for failing to pay back proceeds of crime money
7th October 2014 • Posted in News ArticlesA Carmarthenshire rogue trader was jailed for 19 months after he failed to pay money back to the victims of his rogue trading.
Read MoreRoyal Mail and Trading Standards Launch New Joint Initiative to Tackle Scam Mail
22nd September 2014 • Posted in News ArticlesRoyal Mail and Trading Standards have joined forces to launch a new initiative to tackle scam mail in the postal system
Read MoreWise up to the Web
7th July 2014 • Posted in News ArticlesAvoid being conned by deceptive websites.
Read More‘WISE UP TO THE WEB’: avoid being conned by deceptive websites
7th July 2014 • Posted in News Articles Read MorePrize Draw Mail Scams
1st June 2014 • Posted in News ArticlesIn June 2014 the National Trading Standards Scams Team and Royal Mail launched an initiative to return seized responses to prize draw mail scams before the money reached the hands of scammers.
Read More