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Wolverhampton credit broker refused consumer credit licence

172/04    13 October 2004

A prospective credit broker from Wolverhampton has had his application for a consumer credit licence refused by the OFT.

Ralph Blore's application was refused by an adjudicator on the basis that he had been convicted in October 1985 of obtaining property by deception and in February 1993 of theft and conspiracy to obtain property by deception. In addition Mr Blore was also convicted in June 1994 of possessing a class B drug and receiving stolen goods; and in September 2001 was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to defraud the public. In applying for the licence Mr Blore also failed to disclose information regarding these convictions to the OFT, a breach of the Consumer Credit Act.

An adjudicator therefore decided that the trader was unfit to provide credit to consumers and refused his application.

In considering fitness, the OFT takes into account a number of factors carried on by the business or anyone involved in running the business including:

• any offence or conviction of violence or dishonesty
• failure to comply with the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act or other consumer protection legislation
• consumer complaints
• evidence of unfair business practice
• evidence of discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race or ethnic/national origin.

Christine Wade, Director of Consumer Regulation Enforcement, said:

'This applicant has been convicted of a number of offences involving deception and when making his application provided false information to the OFT. The adjudicator has therefore decided that he is unfit to provide credit to consumers.'

NOTES

1. The Consumer Credit Act 1974 requires most businesses that offer goods or services on credit or lend money or are involved in activities relating to credit or hire to be licensed by the OFT.

2. The OFT can refuse or revoke a licence if it decides that a trader is not fit to hold one.

3. It should be noted that proceedings under the Act are not the same as those of a court and the adjudicator's findings are not the same as convictions by a court. Therefore where the adjudicator finds that an offence has been committed or a provision of the statute has been contravened, it does not mean that the person concerned has been convicted under court proceedings of that offence or of that contravention.

4. An adverse determination (a refusal to grant a licence or the revocation of an existing licence) can be appealed to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

5. The Consumer Credit Public Register is maintained by the OFT. The register documents traders that hold a licence and any action taken against them. It also details traders that have applied for a licence. Enquiries can be made to the Consumer Credit Licensing Bureau on 020 7211 8608.

6. The determination to refuse licence number 542394 was published on 22 September 2004. The application was made by Ralph Earnest Blore, 197 Aldersley Road, Aldersley, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 9NJ.

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