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Criminals are ‘poisoning’ AI (artificial intelligence) models such as Chat GPT and other large language models (LLMs) so that they pick up scam websites and recommend them to consumers searching online, according to National Trading Standards (NTS) and Ask Silver, a free consumer scam checking platform.
Read MoreA Middlesbrough man has today (15 May 2026) been sentenced at Teesside Crown Court to an eight-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work after taking more than £16,000 from customers across the UK for doors and furniture that were never delivered.
Read MoreA woman has been jailed for running a Ponzi‑style holiday fraud in Portsmouth that left people almost £300,000 out of pocket.
Read MoreA man who made fake education and professional certificates has today (13 March 2026) been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment at York Crown Court following an investigation by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team. His criminal operation, which ran for over a decade, led people around the world to secure skilled jobs they were not qualified for.
Read MoreToday (20 February 2026) at York Crown Court, a man who ran a sham recruitment service that tricked jobseekers into paying for fake DBS and criminal record checks has been sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment for laundering the proceeds of the scam. He will serve 40% of the sentence in custody, with time already spent on remand counting towards that period. This follows an investigation by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team.
Read MoreA man has been sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today (Tuesday 10 February) for laundering more than £580,000 as part of a large-scale computer support scam that saw over £2 million transferred to fraudsters overseas. The fraud affected several hundred victims across the UK, many of whom were misled into paying for unnecessary or meaningless computer “repairs” at hugely inflated prices.
Read MoreChilling new wave of AI-assisted fraud targets older people and clones their voices
Read MoreArthur Draper, 41, of no fixed address, has been sentenced to a three-year custodial sentence at St Albans Crown Court today. Draper pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud following a series of cold-calling incidents that sought to defraud homeowners of a total of £141,900, with £90,200 obtained via cheques and bank transfers.
Read MoreA new enforcement approach between National Trading Standards (NTS), local authority Trading Standards, Scottish Trading Standards Services and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has led to more than £1.4 million in civil penalties being issued to retailers and individuals involved in the sale of illicit tobacco.
Read MoreA rogue builder is facing time behind bars after carrying out a string of fraud offences against his customers, leaving them over £30,000 out of pocket.
Read MoreMore than 20 million* UK adults have signed up to a subscription without realising it, and of these, 4.7 million are STILL paying for a subscription they didn’t ask for, according to new figures released today by National Trading Standards**. The data reveal the widespread impact of so-called ‘silent scams’ that involve low value but high-volume thefts.
Read MoreAs millions prepare to drive home for Christmas, National Trading Standards is urging motorists to ensure they pay road tolls only on official websites, as new research* finds that a third of Brits risk landing on copycat sites that charge over the odds – and 17% of those who believed they’d paid for government services online were fined for non-payment.
Read MoreFather and son roofers Jim Janes and Thomas Michael Jim James have today (Wednesday 17 December) been sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, for their part in a roofing scam which targeted more than 48 homeowners across South and West Wales between 2020 and 2025.
Read MoreTwo men who drove a wide-reaching rogue fish-selling network operating out of County Durham have been sentenced today (12 December 2025) at Teesside Crown Court for fraudulent trading offences.
Read MoreA fraudulent loft insulation operation has been brought to justice after misleading elderly homeowners across four counties. Riva Surveyors Ltd has been ordered to pay £48,891 in fines and compensation, while senior salesman Justin Brason received a suspended prison sentence for his part in the scam.
Read MoreEight members of an organised crime group have been sentenced to a combined total of 13 years and 6 months for defrauding East Midlands residents.
Read MoreThree men have been convicted following a major investigation into fraudulent trading practices targeting elderly and vulnerable people.
Read MoreNew study calls for better understanding and support for neurodivergent victims
Read MoreUK shoppers have bought almost 100 million items* on the back of glowing online reviews – only to be bitterly disappointed when they arrive, and 6.4 million have lost money to a scam after buying something from clicking on a fake online advert, according to new data** released by National Trading Standards (NTS) ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Read MoreTwo men who ran more than 40 misleading websites that tricked people into overpaying for government services, including for the Dartford Crossing and the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), have been sentenced today at Bristol Crown Court following an investigation by National Trading Standards (NTS).
Read MoreA businessman ripped off customers by falsely telling them they would get a government grant or discount for external wall insulation at their properties.
Read MoreTwo Redbridge brothers have been sentenced to over four years in prison for their roles in a sophisticated fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted elderly homeowners. The sentencing follows a multi-year investigation led by Redbridge Council’s Trading Standards Team, with support from National Trading Standards.
Read MoreFive men have today (10 October) been sentenced to a combined sentence of over 13 years at Bristol Crown Court for their roles in a large-scale fraud and money laundering operation which targeted older and vulnerable victims across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Herefordshire.
Read MoreA North East based ‘builder’ who knowingly scammed the public out of more than £130,000 has received a five-year prison sentence from Newcastle Magistrates in a case compiled by Northumberland Trading Standards and National Trading Standards.
Read MoreYesterday, 5 August, at St Albans Crown Court, three people were convicted of fraudulent trading relating to a complex wine fraud run by Imperial Wine & Spirits Merchant Ltd, previously Imperial Wines of London Ltd, following an investigation by Hertfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team.
Read MoreFollowing the BBC Panorama investigation into conditional selling, a spokesperson for the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team said:
Read MoreNew data published today by National Trading Standards reveal supposedly nicotine free vapes on sale to UK consumers have been found to contain nicotine. The findings have been published as Trading Standards continue to unearth new intelligence around the illegal vapes market.
Read MoreMore than a million illegal vapes were seized by Trading Standards in 2023/2024, new data released from National Trading Standards (NTS) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) shows.
Read More#NoBlameNoShame campaign launched to encourage people to talk about scams
Read MoreNational Trading Standards is encouraging members of the public to send in scam mail in a ‘Scamnesty’ running until 23 December.
Read MoreA 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 MoreNational Trading Standards highlights threats to look out for as criminals exploit cost-of-living fears.
Read MoreCompensation roll-out begins following landmark investigation.
Read MoreThe 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 MoreNational Trading Standards scheme reaches ‘one million Friends’ milestone and saves society £59m.
Read MoreNational 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 MoreThe 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 MoreIllegal 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 MoreA 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 MoreWhatsApp 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 MoreMore 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 MoreA 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 MoreA new initiative is launched to crack down on criminals using self-storage facilities fraudulently.
Read MoreMore than two thirds of British adults (36 million) have been targeted by a scammer since January, new research by Citizens Advice has found.
Read MoreNew 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 MoreScamnesty launched to turn the tables on criminals
Read MoreReview into referral fees in the estate agency industry published
Read MoreAnyone can be the victim of a scam, however some people are more vulnerable to scams and criminals will use this to their advantage.
Read MoreWarning issued as criminals exploit new fraud opportunities
Read MoreThe 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 MoreAs 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 MoreMore 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 MoreMalicious 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 MoreUnscrupulous 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 MoreA 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 MoreThe 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 MoreOrganised 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 MoreNational Trading Standards and Lloyds Banking Group have today announced a new partnership designed to prevent people falling victim to scams.
Read MoreEstate agency businesses are being reminded to ensure that their advertising claims are accurate and truthful.
Read MorePrime Minister Theresa May announces plan to give elderly and vulnerable people hi-tech devices to block nuisance calls.
Read MoreNational 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 MoreFollowing media coverage this morning regarding repeat victims lists, National Trading Standards has published the following statement.
Read MoreAction 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 MoreResponding to today’s National Audit Office report Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:
Read MoreConsumers 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 MoreA 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 who should join an approved redress scheme if they work within the estate agency industry has today been issued.
Read MoreJames Munro, Team Leader of the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team, said:
Read MoreThe 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 MoreOver £232,000 worth of dangerous products destroyed
Read MoreIllegal practice that misleads homebuyers on property websites in the spotlight.
Read MoreNearly 750,000 pieces of scam mail have been prevented from entering the UK postal system in the last three months
Read MoreOperation 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 MoreA 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 MorePeople 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 MoreIn recent days fraudulent emails have been circulating offering compensation for a so-called “Microsoft Support Scam”.
Read MoreThe 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 MoreElectrical products detained in the run-up to Christmas
Read MoreEnforcement 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 MoreLatest 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 MoreThousands of image-conscious Londoners are risking their health and even their lives by continuing to use banned skin lightening creams that can seriously damage organs and even cause cancer, according to London Trading Standards.
Read MoreHigh 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 More£300,000+ worth of unsafe items detained at East Midlands Airport
Read MoreInaugural National Trading Standards ‘Consumer Harm Report’ reveals annual data and predicts biggest threats for 2016 including energy, lottery and telephone preference scams.
Read MoreA third UK redress for the property sales sector has been approved by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.
Read MoreDangerous 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 MoreNational 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 MoreApple 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 MoreA 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 MoreAn updated version of the Guidance of Property Sales has today (Tuesday 1 September) been launched by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.
Read MoreAdvice issued to supporters buying remaining tickets.
Read MoreFight against mail scams intensifies during Scams Awareness Month
Read MoreLouise 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 MoreArrests 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 MoreTwo 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 MoreLatest 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 MoreAlthough 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 More50% of UK citizens are expected to use the internet to buy more than half of their Christmas presents this year*
Read MoreCommunities urged to support vulnerable residents and report doorstep callers.
Read MoreMore than 6,000 people have had money returned to them as a result of a new crackdown on prize draw mail scams.
Read MoreRoyal Mail and Trading Standards have joined forces to launch a new initiative to tackle scam mail in the postal system
Read MoreAvoid being conned by deceptive websites.
Read MoreIn 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 More9th June 2026
22nd May 2026