Working directly with consumers can be a flexible and cost-effective alternative to enforcement action. The OFT is committed to using consumer initiatives to support the supply side of the market as part of its new, whole-market approach to working. The OFT regularly runs campaigns in partnership with other organisations such as local authority Trading Standards Services and Consumer Direct to raise business and consumer awareness on a variety of different issues.
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The OFT regularly runs campaigns to raise business and consumer awareness on a variety of different issues. These range from how you can protect yourself from scams to the different ways of saving for Christmas.
Following the OFT’s market study on the second-hand car market in March 2010, the OFT is running communications activity to increase awareness of consumer rights when buying a used car.
Last year, the OFT and BERR jointly carried out a campaign to warn businesses and consumers about the change in the regulations to buying goods and services in the home.
Developed in partnership with stakeholders and business partners, we have produced online training guidance for businesses: The Distance Selling (DS) hub. Information is relevant and supportive and available in one easy to access place in a manner that is user friendly, straightforward and engaging.
The OFT's scams awareness campaigns provide consumers with information and advice on how to identify scams and protect themselves, and others.
The OFT is running a long-term campaign to inform consumers about the different options for short-term saving for events like Christmas.
The OFT's Sale of Goods Act campaign launched in September 2010 and aims to increase consumer-facing staff's knowledge of the Sale of Goods Act.
The Office of Fair Trading is supporting the work of the Trading Standards Illegal Money Lending Teams (IMLTs) by joining the campaign to encourage people to report loan sharks.
Skilled to go – a toolkit for teachers that develops consumer skills knowledge and confidence alongside literacy and numeracy skills.
The CCAS campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme and the benefits it offers to consumers and businesses.
The OFT has a number of consumer initiatives to help develop consumer skills and raise awareness and understanding of important consumer issues.
Find out who to contact if you have been a victim of a scam or you suspect a scam. Help us to stop scammers by telling your friends and family and by reporting it to the OFT.
The repeat scam victim toolkit was developed by the Office of Fair Trading to help practitioners support those people who are repeatedly targeted by scammers.
To view and download the toolkit, register by filling in your details in the form linked below.
Local authority schemes aim to give consumers a reliable way of finding trustworthy local businesses. Businesses that sign up to the schemes get support and promotion from their local authority Trading Standards Services, in return for a promise that they will meet their legal obligations and treat their customers fairly.
Local authority assured trader schemes
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The Office of Fair Trading’s Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) makes buying and selling better for everyone. It gives consumers the confidence that they are getting the best deal possible in terms of customer service and protection, and businesses the chance to show that they are committed to a higher standard than the law requires.
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