Consumer champions target cross-border fraudsters

BOGUS lotteries, fake prize-draws and sham holiday competitions will be discussed by consumer champions from across Europe who are meeting in Dublin today.

Britain’s Office of Fair Trading hosts the conference at Malahide’s Grand Hotel following new Europe-wide powers to combat fraudsters who go from country to country to fleece consumers. So-called cross-border scams mean cheats in one country rip-off consumers in another jurisdiction, knowing the chances of being caught can be slim because of lack of international co-operation. With the introduction of new Europe-wide powers, consumer bodies like the National Consumer Agency (NCA) can liaise with counterparts in other countries.

The conference is also being attended by gardaí, premium rate phone line regulator RegTel and as consumer law officials from the North, France, Gibraltar and Channel Islands.

Popular frauds currently targeting Ireland include a bogus Spanish lottery offering recipients untold riches in exchange for their bank details or an upfront “processing” fee.

Scams cost British consumers 5 billion a year and are operated by phone, e-mail, fax and junk mail.

Delegates are also discussing how they will work together following the introduction of two new pieces of European law: the consumer protection co-operation regulation and the unfair commercial practices directive. The new laws allow for greater co-operation and give consumer law officials greater enforcement powers against cross-border cheats.

The conference also ties in with an NCA campaign, due to be launched on April Fool’s Day, to raise awareness of the scams.

The NCA operates a hotline — 1890 432 432 — so consumers can find out about scams. Information is also available on the www.consumerconnect.ie.