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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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Fake trading standards line scam

Posted: 08 June 2020

UPDATES: CTSI has warned consumers about a fake trading standards website and premium-rate helpline that misuse the Institute's address and exploit public trust during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Council tax Covid-19 scam targets public

Posted: 19 May 2020

UPDATES: A fake Government-branded council tax reduction email is using the financial strain of lockdown to harvest personal and banking details, prompting CTSI to warn the public not to click links and to report suspicious messages to Action Fraud.
 

Fake pet ad scam warning

Posted: 06 May 2020

UPDATES: Fraudsters are exploiting lockdown loneliness through fake pet adverts, with hundreds of victims losing deposits and extra payments for animals that do not exist, prompting CTSI and the RSPCA to urge caution until restrictions lift.
 

Covid-19 mask scam call emerges

Posted: 04 May 2020

UPDATES: CTSI is warning households about cold calls falsely claiming that outdoor face masks are compulsory, using the pandemic to sell overpriced masks, hand gel and gloves while harvesting addresses and payment details.
 

HMRC Covid-19 scam expands

Posted: 20 April 2020

UPDATES: Fraudsters have widened HMRC-themed Covid-19 scams from texts and emails to bogus telephone calls. Learn how the fraud works, why it is proving so convincing and the warning signs that can help protect vulnerable consumers.
 

Netflix scam exploits lockdown

Posted: 20 April 2020

UPDATES: Fake Netflix payment emails are exploiting the lockdown streaming boom to steal card details. CTSI explains how the scam operates and why similar attacks are likely to appear using other entertainment brands.
 

New Covid-19 voucher scam

Posted: 06 April 2020

UPDATES: Criminals are exploiting coronavirus anxieties with fake supermarket voucher emails designed to steal payment details. CTSI highlights the warning signs and urges consumers to ignore tempting offers.
 

Fake payment update text alert

Posted: 01 April 2020

UPDATES: A bogus text claiming a payment card needs updating is targeting consumers during the pandemic. CTSI explains how the scam works and the simple steps needed to avoid becoming a victim.
 

New Covid-19 text scam alert

Posted: 26 March 2020

UPDATES: Fake government text messages promising coronavirus payments continue to circulate. CTSI reminds consumers that official departments never request banking credentials by text, email or phone.
 

Covid-19 ‘home-testing’ warning

Posted: 20 March 2020

UPDATES: Bogus healthcare workers claiming to offer home Covid-19 testing are targeting vulnerable residents. CTSI urges householders not to open the door to unexpected callers.
 

Covid-19 update app scam threat

Posted: 18 March 2020

UPDATES: Fake coronavirus update apps are spreading ransomware that locks mobile phones and demands payment. CTSI advises consumers to download apps only from official stores.
 

CTSI warns over Covid-19 scams

Posted: 17 March 2020

UPDATES: In light of the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a warning to the public abou.
 

Pair convicted of cancer scam

Posted: 04 March 2020

UPDATES: A pair of fraudsters who falsely claimed a thermal imaging device designed for use on horses could detect breast cancer in humans have been.
 

Dudley scams unit saves £4.5m

Posted: 02 March 2020

UPDATES: Dudley Council’s scams unit has prevented an estimated £4.5m from being lost to fraud, using specialist prevention work to protect vulnerable residents and disrupt criminal approaches.
 

£1m call blocker success revealed

Posted: 18 February 2020

UPDATES: Trading standards officers in East Sussex have prevented would-be scammers from conning potential victims out of more than £1m, it has been.
 

Storm damage rogues warning

Posted: 18 February 2020

UPDATES: Trading standards teams in Northamptonshire and Warwickshire are warning residents not to rush into storm-damage repairs, with rogue traders likely to exploit homeowners after Storms Ciara and Dennis.
 

Valentine's Day - is it love or a scam?

Posted: 13 February 2020

UPDATES: CTSI is warning Valentine’s Day daters about romance scams, with fraudsters using fake profiles, emotional manipulation and requests for money to cause serious financial and personal harm.
 

Mail scammers found guilty

Posted: 06 February 2020

UPDATES: Kingstown Associates has been fined £150,000 after misleading elderly consumers with promotional mailings that falsely suggested they were guaranteed cash prizes if they bought products.
 

Prison sentence for window fraudster

Posted: 03 February 2020

UPDATES: A window fitter who carried out a ‘cynical’ series of offences has been jailed for two years and four months following an investigation and prosecution brought by
 

Plumber signs consumer law pledge

Posted: 28 January 2020

UPDATES: The director of several plumbing companies which received numerous consumer complaints has signed a promise not to breach consumer protection laws in the future, following an investigation by Reading Trading Standards. J...