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Journal of Trading Standards, Online Edition - JoTS Online

Welcome to the Journal of Trading Standards online edition, JoTS Online. Browse through our latest Articles - including Analysis, Opinion Pieces, Features and a selection of articles from our acclaimed print journal.

Although many JoTS Online articles are open access (public), others are exclusive to CTSI Members - in which case, you'll need to login to access them. If you aren't a member of CTSI yet, you can join us here. And, if you'd like to contribute articles or suggest topics for us to cover, please email our Editorial Team.

Latest JoTS Online Articles : 

News Category Tags: Crime, Product Safety, Health and Safety, Counterfeit Goods, Retail, Animal Health and Welfare, Legal and Policy, Enforcement Practice, Product Recalls, Property and Housing, Automotive, Vapes, Business, CTSI Conference, CTSI Hero Awards.

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COVID scam targets youngsters

Posted: 02 December 2021

UPDATES: A convincing text message scam exploiting COVID-19 vaccine passes targeted young people with a fake NHS website and payment request, providing a timely reminder of how fraudsters adapt to current events.
 

HMRC warns of Self-Assessment scams

Posted: 18 November 2021

UPDATES: As the Self Assessment deadline approaches, HMRC is warning taxpayers to be alert to a surge in phishing emails, texts and phone calls designed to steal money and personal information. The advice explains how to recognise common scams and report suspicious contact.
 

Crackdown on illicit puppies in Wales

Posted: 27 September 2021

UPDATES: A major enforcement operation in Wales has uncovered alleged illegal puppy farming, with hundreds of dogs rescued or seized as investigators target organised criminality fuelled by soaring pandemic demand for pets.
 

Trader jailed for fake DVD business

Posted: 23 September 2021

UPDATES: A four-year prison sentence concludes a lengthy investigation into a sophisticated counterfeit DVD operation that used multiple online accounts, false identities and money laundering to generate more than £500,000 in sales.
 

Survey reveals extent of COVID scams

Posted: 23 September 2021

UPDATES: New survey findings reveal the scale of COVID-era scams, widespread public concern about underfunded consumer protection and low reporting rates, reinforcing calls for stronger enforcement and greater investment.
 

Doorstep criminal guilty of fraud

Posted: 09 September 2021

UPDATES: A prosecution brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland has resulted in a suspended prison sentence for a doorstep criminal. On September...
 

WhatsApp scam targets families

Posted: 06 September 2021

UPDATES: CTSI has been informed of a newly emerging scam message on WhatsApp in which fraudsters attempt to impersonate the recipient's family members to steal money. A member of the public...
 

Four-year sentence for counterfeiter

Posted: 25 August 2021

UPDATES: A trading standards investigation has resulted in a Birmingham man being jailed for four years for manufacturing and selling fake designer clothes. Inderjit Sangu, who owned a clothing manufacturing business in Hockley, ...
 

Scammers use NHS COVID pass texts

Posted: 24 August 2021

UPDATES: CTSI has received evidence of a text scam themed around the NHS COVID pass. The message, which claims to be an official NHS communication, reads: "NHS: We've noticed you haven't applied for your COVID pass,...
 

Tackling digital detriment

Posted: 23 July 2021

ANALYSIS: Pandemic-era e-commerce scams have exposed changing consumer behaviour, digital vulnerability and enforcement challenges, as Citizens Advice, CTSI and trading standards teams confront rapidly evolving online fraud.
 

‘COVID passport’ fraud warning

Posted: 07 July 2021

UPDATES: The latest in a long line of scams to emerge from the COVID-...
 

Beware of the dog dealers

Posted: 05 July 2021

ANALYSIS: “This isn’t just about finance and consumer detriment...
 

CTSI warns of ‘insidious’ scam

Posted: 24 June 2021

UPDATES: CTSI is warning consumers about convincing parcel delivery text scams designed to harvest personal and financial information, urging extra vigilance as online shopping and home deliveries continue to grow.
 

Scam advice video series launched

Posted: 21 June 2021

UPDATES: A new series of short videos brings together practical scam prevention advice from consumer protection organisations across the UK, helping people recognise fraud and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated criminals.
 

Scams hit 36 million Brits in 2021

Posted: 15 June 2021

UPDATES: New research from Citizens Advice reveals the scale of scam activity across the UK, who is most at risk of becoming a victim, and why awareness, reporting and prevention remain critical consumer protection priorities.
 

Illicit tobacco seller sentenced

Posted: 10 June 2021

UPDATES: A trader supplying illicit and counterfeit tobacco has been jailed following a Trading Standards investigation, highlighting the health risks, criminality and enforcement action targeting the illegal tobacco market.
 

Census deadline scams strike

Posted: 03 June 2021

UPDATES: Fraudsters exploited Census deadlines with convincing text-message scams designed to steal financial information. Trading Standards warns consumers how the scam works and the simple checks that can prevent becoming a victim.
 

Illegal puppy importer jailed

Posted: 03 June 2021

UPDATES: A lengthy Trading Standards investigation has resulted in the imprisonment of a man who illegally imported puppies for sale, underlining the welfare concerns and consumer risks associated with the illegal puppy trade.
 

Shopkeeper fined for illegal tobacco sales

Posted: 26 May 2021

UPDATES: A Salford shopkeeper who kept selling illegal tobacco after earlier raids has been fined after officers found counterfeit cigarettes hidden on the premises and seized cash as proceeds of crime.
 

Phoney PayPal texts target public

Posted: 17 May 2021

UPDATES: CTSI warns that fake PayPal text messages are directing recipients to bogus login pages, exploiting the rise in online shopping during COVID-19 restrictions to harvest account details.