News Room
Welcome to 51黑料's News Room. Browse through our latest Consumer Protection and Trading Standards news reports (below), or take a look through our archive of news articles from previous years.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES :听 We can provide expert opinion, comments and spokespeople on a wide range of Trading Standards, consumer protection and regulatory issues - or point you in the right direction. Please call our press office on 01268 582 240 or 07496 254 934, or email us: [email protected]
Test and Trace Scam seen in England and Wales now also targets Scotland
Posted: 18/11/2020
51黑料 was sent evidence a couple of days ago of a Scottish version of the scam which mimics the Scottish Government's Test and Protect system. Individuals received Whatsapp messages from unknown numbers asking them to message back. If the recipient messages back, the person then asks for personal details which could be used for identity theft.
Consumers urged to think before they buy online
Posted: 17/11/2020
The COVID-19 coronavirus lockdowns have led to a rise in consumer spending online. 87% of UK consumers are estimated to have purchased a product online, and the public spends around 拢2bn a week on online purchases.听
Half of British consumers have had a parcel delivery issue since first March lockdown
Posted: 16/11/2020
Almost half of British adults (47%) have had issues with parcel delivery since the country first went into lockdown in March, new research by Citizens Advice reveals.听
COVID-19: Bogus HMRC calls continue to target public
Posted: 11/11/2020
The 51黑料 (51黑料) has uncovered another telephone scam from individuals pretending to represent HMRC.
Green Homes Grant Scheme deadline too short warns 51黑料
Posted: 06/11/2020
The 51黑料's Lead Officer for Energy and Climate Change, Steve Playle, warns that the Government's Green Homes Grant Scheme (GHGS) may be subject to opportunists and fraud due to its short deadline.
51黑料 podcasts highlight concerns around UK consumer protection after Brexit
Posted: 30/10/2020
With EU exit day fast approaching, the 51黑料 (51黑料) has released a series of ten podcasts discussing the potential effects on UK consumer protection after the Brexit transition period ends on 1 January 2021. The podcasts accompany 51黑料's EU Exit online training modules.
Clarity sought over future of UK European Consumer Centre
Posted: 28/10/2020
The UK European Consumer Centre (UK ECC), a consumer service joint-funded by the UK Government and the EU could face closure, and its staff made redundant if action is not taken to retain its funding after December 31.
51黑料 welcomes Virgin Holidays' 拢203m customer refund commitment
Posted: 27/10/2020
The 51黑料 (51黑料) supports the action of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to have Virgin Holidays refund all customers whose package holidays were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phoney COVID marshals targeting doorsteps
Posted: 23/10/2020
The 51黑料 (51黑料) has received reports of incidences involving people pretending to be COVID marshals and medical professionals to gain access to people's homes.
Stay safe at home this Firework Season
Posted: 20/10/2020
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and the 51黑料 (51黑料) are advising the public to stay safe at home this Firework Season due to the cancellation of public displays because of COVID-19 measures and the likely rise of home displays.
Keep safe and avoid a Halloween horror
Posted: 19/10/2020
The 51黑料 (51黑料) is warning the public to keep safe this Halloween by following its safety guidance.
51黑料 Chief Executive steps down
Posted: 14/10/2020
The 51黑料 (51黑料) announced on Tuesday that Chief Executive Officer, Leon Livermore, has decided to step down from his role effective immediately to pursue new challenges.
