Consultations
DTI: Consumer Minister, Ian McCartney has published a consultation that will implement the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD), whichwas adopted on 11 May 2005. Among the 31 types of unfair practices it will outlaw are:
- prize draw scams, such as those that con people into calling premium-rate phone numbers
- bogus 'closing down' sales
- refusing to leave a customer's home when asked to do so
- preying on elderly peoples' fears about their personal security to sell them burglar alarms, and
- making persistent & unwanted telephone calls encouraging consumers to buy products
The DTI is consulting on draft Regulations before they become UK law in April 2008 and the OFT, working with the DTI, is also consulting on draft Guidance on the law. Both consultations will close on 21 August 2007.
Press release ~ OFT - Consultation on draft Guidance on the UK implementation of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive ~ DTI - Implementing the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) into UK law - DTI ~ EC Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) ~ General Insurance Telephone Sales - Results of thematic work: Examples of good and poor practice ~ OFT – Doorstep Selling ~ OFT - Scams ~ Consumer Direct