The Government’s coming Consumer White Paper will focus on tackling online fraud according to Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas.

The Minister has been talking to Trading Standards professionals in Manchester saying that more effective measures need to be put in place to protect businesses and consumers who use the internet to buy goods and services. Many find themselves victims to fraud and scams.

The White Paper will be published in the summer containing proposals for action against this.

Minister Gareth Thomas has said the following:

“E-criminals and fraudsters can be highly sophisticated, mobile, working across regional and national boundaries. With British consumers making almost double the amount of online transactions compared to the European average, they are twice as likely to be exposed to online fraudsters.

“Our current system is designed to protect the consumer who goes to a shopping centre or retail park. But the modern consumer is now increasingly buying goods and services through websites that could be run from anywhere in the world, with goods shipped and delivered across borders.”

How To Keep Safe On The Net?

“We need to create a regime that is fit to protect the consumer from modern fraudsters and criminals. This means looking more innovatively at new ways of working.”

Other safeguards that will be included on the paper include information to help vulnerable consumers make informed decisions about lending and borrowing.

The Citizen Advice Bureau has been in high demand recently across England and Wales and so a total of £10 million has been raised as part of their Additional Hours Advice (ADA) Project in order to keep the open longer hours and therefore help more people.

“We understand that many people face financial pressures at this time. Extended opening hours by Citizens Advice Bureau means that more people can get the help they need to take control of their finances - rather than letting debt and money worries control them.”

Andy Brown from Manchester CAB said: “These extra hours are making a vital difference to supporting people across Manchester on a range of issues including debt, employment and welfare.”

What Do You Think?

We would love to know your thoughts and opinions on this. Leave your comments here.

Our Random Articles

• Small businesses plan staff cuts in early 2012
• Unemployment rise – what does this mean for small businesses?
• The Mary Portas Review
• Experts Warn Small Firms of the Need to be More Aware of IT Security Risks
• SMEs Unprepared for New Pension Reforms

More Links