This snapshot, taken on 20/12/2003, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.


Don't be a Mug!
A Consumer's Guide to Scams and Rip-offs

link to DTI's Consumer Gateway

link to the Office of Fair Trading

link to the Competition Commission web site

link to Trading Standards Central

link to Citizens Advice

link to European Commission

link to rip-off tip-off web site

Link to the Just Ask community legal service

We welcome your feedback on the Consumer and Competition Policy Directorate web site


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CCP Home Page

|Specific Complaints |Fact Sheets|

What We Do

We take the lead within the Government on consumer and competition policy. Our mission is to deliver a competitive framework for the growth of successful businesses and a fair deal for consumers. We want to help UK consumers and businesses enjoy more choice, better service, safer products and competitive prices.

Our web pages provide information on a wide variety of consumer affairs and competition policy issues. The key entry point is our Topics page, or try our A-Z Index or the relevant Fact Sheet.

What We Don't Do

The DTI cannot provide any advice on individual consumer or competition problems or complaints, or interpret legislation in individual cases.

Consumer complaints should be taken to local Citizens Advice, local Trading Standards Departments or the Office of Fair Trading.

Our Fact Sheets, and the DTI 's award winning Consumer Gateway website can help consumers find the appropriate body to deal with their problem.

Trading Standards Departments sponsor the "Rip-Off Tip-Off" website, designed to let consumers report, anonymously, traders who they think are ripping people off.

As part of its drive to increase justice for ordinary people, the Government has set up a Community Legal Service (CLS). The CLS aims to ensure that people can get information and help about their legal rights and understand how to enforce them.

Competition complaints should be taken to the Office of Fair Trading. 

Fact Sheets & Guidance Notes

Fact Sheets and Guidance Notes will be found throughout the site indicated by buttons like these. Our most popular Fact Sheets are listed here.

What's New

17 Dec. Consultation -   provision of Alternative Dispute Resolution under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

15 Dec. Consultation - EC Directives regarding carcinogens, mutagens and substances toxic to reproduction.

15 Dec. Consultation - Public Interest Intervention In Media Mergers. 

10 Dec. Government response to consultation on repeal of Trading Stamps Act 1964

8 Dec. Patricia Hewitt announces the publication of the Consumer Credit White Paper.

05 Dec. UK has signed two co-operation agreements: one with Canada, one with Australia & New Zealand, which cover competition and consumer law.

11 Nov. OFT Market Report on taxis published.

5 Nov. Consultation on measures to tackle anti social use of fireworks.

31 Oct. Guidance on Price Marking (Food and Drink Services) Order 2003, which comes into force on 2 March 2004.

15 Oct. Publication of a summary of the responses received on a Consultation on the Sunday Trading Act.

8 Oct. Consultation on Commission proposal to extend competition implementing rules to cover air services between the Community and third countries

6 Oct. Comparative Report on Consumer Policy Regimes published.

29 Sep. Consultation on proposals for Performance Measures for Trading Standards in 2004/2005.

17 Sep. DTI Fireworks Safety Campaign 2003 resources published.

17 Sep. Consultation on proposed EC Regulation on Consumer Protection Co-operation.

29 Aug. Pharmacy Regulations consultation document published.

8 Aug. Summary of responses to a consultation on Christmas Day Trading by large stores.

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Last updated 17 December 2003

Department of Trade and Industry

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