OFT issues warning over personalised pricing transparency – OUT-LAW.com

“Businesses must be more transparent about the way they collect information about consumers in order to offer personalised prices for goods and services online, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has said.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 20th May 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

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Banks Take First Round In Interest Rate Swap Mis-Selling Claims – No. 5 Chambers

Posted April 17th, 2013 in banking, financial regulation, interest, news, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Following the announcement in June 2012 by the Financial Services Authority of a two month investigation in to the sale (and in particular mis-selling) of interest rate hedging products such as swaps, collars, structured collars there is considerable interest in whether such claims are likely, following Payment Protection Insurance, to become another key battleground in financial services litigation.”

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No. 5 Chambers, 7th February 2013

Source: www.no5.com

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SSE fined record £10.5m by Ofgem over ‘prolonged and extensive’ mis-selling – The Guardian

Posted April 3rd, 2013 in energy, fines, news, unfair commercial practices, utilities by sally

“The utility giant SSE is to be fined £10.5m for ‘prolonged and extensive’ mis-selling in what will be the largest ever penalty imposed on an energy provider.”

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The Guardian, 3rd April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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OFT rules out petrol prices inquiry – The Guardian

Posted January 30th, 2013 in consumer protection, news, statistics, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Rising petrol prices will continue to be a headache for cash-strapped motorists after the consumer watchdog concluded there is no evidence of unfair marketing or trading between oil companies and retailers.”

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The Guardian, 30th January 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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Pub industry adjudicator plans put forward – BBC News

“The government has announced plans for an independent adjudicator in the pub industry to help struggling landlords.”

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BBC News, 8th January 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

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‘Unfair’ supermarkets could face hefty fines under new watchdog – The Guardian

Posted December 5th, 2012 in competition, consumer protection, fines, news, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Large UK supermarkets which abuse their power in the marketplace and treat suppliers ‘unfairly’ could be fined by a new watchdog under changes announced by the Department for Business.”

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The Guardian, 4th December 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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Supermarkets agree to prices and discounts code – BBC News

Posted November 30th, 2012 in advertising, consumer protection, news, unfair commercial practices by tracey

“Eight supermarkets have agreed to ensure that special offers and price promotions are fair. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has been investigating the way prices are displayed, advertised and promoted in stores.”

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BBC News, 30th November 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

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Costly ‘prizes’ firms breach EU law, judges rule – The Independent

Posted October 18th, 2012 in consumer protection, EC law, news, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Companies tantalising consumers with ‘prizes’ which then cost money to claim or use are breaching EU law, judges ruled today.”

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The Independent, 18th October 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

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Rules governing transparent financial advice already being bent, says FSA – The Guardian

“New rules abolishing the payment of commission on pensions and investments have not yet come into force, but financial advisers and product providers have already found ways to get around the ban, according to the Financial Services Authority (FSA).”

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The Guardian, 1st October 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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Energy firm SSE loses appeal on mis-selling – BBC News

Posted March 16th, 2012 in appeals, energy, news, unfair commercial practices by tracey

“SSE has lost an appeal into a conviction for tricking potential customers into switching from their existing energy firm.”

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BBC News, 16th March 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

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OFT uncovers ‘unfair’ mobility aid sales practices – The Guardian

Posted September 30th, 2011 in disabled persons, elderly, news, unfair commercial practices, unfair dismissal by tracey

“Evidence of unfair sales practices targeted at elderly and vulnerable consumers buying mobility aids has been uncovered by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), leading to an investigation into two nationwide traders.”

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The Guardian, 29th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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Super complaint filed over £1bn foreign currency fees – The Guardian

Posted September 21st, 2011 in complaints, consumer protection, fees, news, ombudsmen, unfair commercial practices by michael

“The Office of Fair Trading is to investigate whether UK holidaymakers are paying too much for foreign currency following a super-complaint by a consumer watchdog.”

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The Guardian, September 21st 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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Consumers should have private rights of redress against unfair business practices, OFT says – OUT-LAW.com

“New laws are needed to give consumers better rights to take private action against businesses that adopt unfair commercial practices, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has said.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 1st August 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

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Airlines risk legal action over credit card ‘sting’ – The Independent

Posted June 29th, 2011 in airlines, consumer credit, fees, news, theatre, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Budget airlines, theatres and football clubs risk legal action if they continue to levy inflated charges for paying by credit and debit cards, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) warned yesterday.”

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The Independent, 29th June 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

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New competition authority will deal with some consumer complaints, says Government – OUT-LAW.com

“The Government has outlined proposals to give a prospective new competition authority powers to resolve consumer complaints.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd June 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

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Loans firms decision due from OFT – BBC News

Posted June 1st, 2011 in complaints, fees, loans, news, unfair commercial practices by sally

“A decision over whether action should be taken against firms making unsolicited loan offers is due from the fair trading regulator later.”

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BBC News, 1st June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

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OFT to act on ‘Big Four’ audit firms – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 18th, 2011 in accountants, competition, news, unfair commercial practices by tracey

“The ‘Big Four’ accountancy firms are to face regulatory intervention for anti-competitive behaviour, which would severely curb the industry’s most powerful companies and cost them hundreds of millions in revenue.”

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Daily Telegraph, 18th May 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

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Treating licensees differently to their competitors does not constitute unreasonable discrimination, Copyright Tribunal rules – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 10th, 2011 in copyright, licensing, news, tribunals, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Agencies acting for copyright holders can charge different companies different royalty rates without engaging in unlawful discrimination, the Copyright Tribunal has ruled.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th May 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

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Brothers jailed over Lapland New Forest park – BBC News

Posted March 18th, 2011 in advertising, news, sentencing, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Two brothers have been jailed for misleading thousands of customers at a Lapland-themed park on the Hampshire and Dorset border.”

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BBC News, 18th March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

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Brothers guilty of Lapland con – The Independent

Posted February 18th, 2011 in advertising, news, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Two brothers were convicted today of misleading thousands of customers into visiting a what they claimed was a Lapland-style theme park.”

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The Independent, 18th February 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

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