Traders to face jail for misleading consumers

TRADERS who cheat consumers will face jail terms of up to two years and fines of up to €100,000 under the Consumer Protection Bill.

The legislation will ban a range of “anti-consumer” activities, including pyramid schemes, prize-draw scams and persistent cold-calling.

The goal of the bill is to provide consumers “with the highest level of protection” in their dealings with business, Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin said at its launch.