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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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‘Ruthless’ Scam Targets Bereaved

Posted: 06 June 2025

UPDATES: A cruel new scam is targeting people at their most vulnerable—grieving families and friends of the recently deceased. Fraudsters are hijacking funeral notices to steal money and personal details, prompting strong warnings from CTSI. Here’s how the scam works, why it’s so damaging, and what you can do to protect yourself and others ...

 

TS hits 'fake shops' and organised crime

Posted: 11 April 2025

UPDATES: Trading Standards steps up efforts against sophisticated fake online shops, exposing organised criminal activity and helping protect consumers from costly fraud.
 

Jail sentence for illicit tobacco seller

Posted: 19 March 2025

UPDATES: A lengthy investigation into the illegal tobacco trade has resulted in a substantial prison sentence, demonstrating the determination of Trading Standards to disrupt organised criminal activity.
 

TSSW takes action on illegal tobacco

Posted: 18 March 2025

UPDATES: Trading Standards South West joined national enforcement partners in a major operation targeting illicit tobacco, with coordinated inspections designed to disrupt illegal supply networks.
 

Modelling agency scammers sentenced

Posted: 10 March 2025

UPDATES: A major National Trading Standards investigation has resulted in lengthy prison sentences for those behind a £13.6 million modelling agency fraud that exploited young people pursuing careers in the industry.
 

Rogue builder to repay £50,000

Posted: 06 March 2025

UPDATES: A rogue builder who defrauded a vulnerable homeowner has been ordered to repay £50,000 following a successful Trading Standards prosecution, reinforcing the consequences of targeting consumers through poor-quality building work.
 

'Significant' illicit tobacco haul

Posted: 03 March 2025

UPDATES: A major illicit tobacco seizure carried out under Operation CeCe demonstrates the continuing impact of coordinated enforcement against illegal tobacco sales and organised criminal activity.
 

'Manipulative' solar fraudster jailed

Posted: 28 February 2025

UPDATES: A fraudulent solar panel installer has been jailed after deceiving customers out of thousands of pounds, with Trading Standards urging consumers to remain alert to similar home improvement scams.
 

Use of celebs in scam ads on the rise

Posted: 17 February 2025

UPDATES: The ASA has revealed a rise in scam adverts using celebrities, public figures and AI-generated deepfakes, with cryptocurrency, investment, slimming, travel and fake retail offers among the main threats.
 

CTSI: 'Swipe left on romance scams'

Posted: 13 February 2025

UPDATES: CTSI is warning consumers to be alert to romance scams this Valentine’s Day, as AI, deepfakes and long-term grooming tactics make online deception more convincing and damaging.
 

Builder sentenced for unfinished work

Posted: 10 February 2025

UPDATES: A Gloucester builder has received a suspended prison sentence and been ordered to repay victims after leaving poor-quality work unfinished and demanding further payments.
 

10,000 illicit tobacco products seized

Posted: 06 February 2025

UPDATES: Oxfordshire Trading Standards Officers removed almost 10,000 counterfeit and illicit cigarettes and tobacco products from shops across the county in a series of raids at the end of.
 

Shutters come down on Wiltshire shop

Posted: 03 February 2025

UPDATES: A shop in the Wiltshire town of Calne has been forced to close for three months after it was found to be selling illegal tobacco and vapes by.
 

Hefty fine for Oxfordshire trader

Posted: 15 January 2025

UPDATES: A substantial court penalty for an Oxfordshire trader underlines the consequences of breaching consumer protection law and reinforces the importance of robust local enforcement.
 

Runaway rogue roofer jailed

Posted: 14 January 2025

UPDATES: A persistent rogue roofer has been jailed after leaving consumers out of pocket, demonstrating the impact of coordinated Trading Standards investigations and successful prosecution.
 

'Abrasive' rogue builder jailed

Posted: 13 January 2025

UPDATES: Another rogue builder has received a custodial sentence after exploiting householders, sending a clear message that serious consumer fraud will be pursued through the courts.
 

Almost 10,000 cigarettes seized

Posted: 18 December 2024

UPDATES: A significant seizure of illicit cigarettes has disrupted the illegal tobacco trade while highlighting the wider links between counterfeit goods, organised crime and consumer harm.
 

Home improvement fraudsters jailed

Posted: 18 December 2024

UPDATES: Rogue traders who targeted householders with fraudulent home improvement work have been jailed following a lengthy investigation, sending a strong deterrent message to offenders operating in the sector.
 

Sniffer dog Boo scares illicit sellers

Posted: 06 December 2024

UPDATES: Specialist detection dog Boo continues to play a valuable role in uncovering illicit tobacco, demonstrating how innovative enforcement techniques are helping disrupt the illegal market.
 

Closure Order for illegal vape shop

Posted: 02 December 2024

UPDATES: Reading Trading Standards has secured a three-month Closure Order against a shop linked to years of illicit tobacco and vape sales, following repeated seizures, hidden stock discoveries and complaints about sales to children.