EU To Tackle Telephone and Internet Scams

12.57.19pm GMT Tue 15th Feb 2005

MEPs and EU national governments have agreed legislation that will put a stop to telephone prize scams and crack down on rogue internet trading. In light of the recent announcement by the Office of Fair Trading that British consumers lose a £1bn a year to various marketing scams often originating overseas, the news will be welcomed by those who have suffered at the hands of so-called "unfair commercial practices".

The tough line on marketing scams has been headed by European Liberal Democrats. Following their amendments to the new Unfair Commercial Practices Directive it will be illegal to target consumers with misleading phone marketing and rogue internet trading through web sites such as eBay.

West Midlands Liberal Democrat Euro MP Liz Lynne said:

"I imagine all of us have experienced the problem of incessant and unwanted phone calls telling us we have won a prize. Then of course when the number is rung back the caller is strung along for a premium phone call usually lasting several minutes. Many of these traders base themselves in another country to escape legal action. Changes to the new legislation will help to get to grips with this at home and abroad.

"Also there have been a number of instances of consumers misleading other consumers through websites such as eBay with vendors posing as a private seller or a seller's agent when they actually are acting as a business or trade.

"As consumers they fall outside the normal consumer protection legislation and so no redress is available. Changes to the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive proposed by the European Liberal Group will cover this malpractice."

ENDS