Blackpool Euro MP Brian Simpson has joined forces with local trading standards offices, to outlaw scams perpetrated against consumers by supporting a new EU-wide Directive called the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.

The new Directive passed by the European Parliament will outlaw 31 practices such as  bogus draws, lotteries. fake closing down sales, scary scratch cards, fake phone calls and bogus holiday clubs.  Scamnesty 2009 is being organised by local Council Trading Standards to highlight the number of scams being perpetrated by bogus traders and is an attempt not only to warn consumers about these scams but to support Labour MEP's in their campaign to introduce new protection via the European Parliament.

" Scamnesty 2009 highlights the devious ways some companies go to, to get money from consumers.  Our campaign is to outlaw a number of practices used, through the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive is long overdue and is part of our wish to put consumers first" said Mr Simpson

Regulations implementing the law come into force in the UK in April and the enforcement will be the responsibility of Trading Standards who will have access to an EU wide network of national enforcement authorities to ensure that unfair traders can't hide in other countries.

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