Calls to consumer hotline increased by 20% last year

The Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs has reported a 20% increase in the number of calls received by its consumer hotline last year.

In its annual report for 2003, the office said the hotline received around 39,000 calls during the year, an increase of almost 7,000 on the figures for 2002.

It said most of the calls related to banking, holidays, clothing and motor vehicles.

The Director of Consumer Affairs also carried out 5,000 investigations last year, but just 14 convictions were secured for breaches of consumer law.