Plans outlined to protect shoppers while online by the consumer regulator
July 23rd, 2010 by adminThe Office of Fair Trading, also known as the OFT, has stated that buyers who live in the UK need to be well educated about the website terms and conditions dangers of shopping online, to prevent them becoming victims to legal problems and scams.
Plans have already been drawn up by the OFT to help provide more protection for buyers when they shop using the internet. It hasn’t made any recommendations about bringing in any new laws or different regulations, so far it has just stated that anyone buying goods online need far more protection that what they are currently receiving, and these consumers will need to be educated in order to prevent them from falling victim to these scams. It has also been stated that guidance from what the Government give organisations and companies is in need of huge improvement, and that it would also be a good idea for organisations and any enforcement agencies to work together more closely.
The Government have requested that the OFT should bring out a document which lays out clearly what its plans are to approach this new e-consumer protection. And they are hopeful that all of these new regulations will come into force no later than the end of this year and any responses to this consultation will need to be put forward before the middle of October.
The OFT has said that their strategy will give help and guidance to customers who wish to shop online and offer them some safety to do this, it will also focus on the improvement of quality enforcement by making the regulation of retailers vastly improve.
The plans will guide customers to exactly what the protection is that they have while shopping online and will try to ensure that there is total consistency between the online and offline protection for consumers.
