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To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the level of fraud involving use of fake construction skill cards; and what action is being taken to combat such fraud.

Asked by

Lord Spellar (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

3 March 2006

Reference

443 c983-4W;443 c983-4W; 54787

House

House of Commons

Internet Rogue Dialling

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to compensate victims of internet rogue dialling.

Asked by

Peter Bone (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

20 December 2005

For answer on

9 January 2006

Answered on

10 January 2006

In the first instance it is a matter for the telecoms companies to resole the problems their own customers may face with charges from internet rogue diallers. Customers with disputed bills can use the alternative dispute resolution schemes, of which all telecoms companies are members, to sort out disagreements.The Government have taken action to ensure consumers are adequately protected from internet rogue diallers. As a result of discussions with ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, a prior permission scheme for internet diallers was put in place in August 2004. This means that all diallers have to be approved by ICSTIS before they can be released. ICSTIS can order service providers to pay redress if they breach the Code, with the threat of automatic barring from providing any premium rate service if they default. The number of complaints has fallen dramatically since the scheme was introduced in August 2004. Complaints to ICSTIS fell to a low of about 50 per month in recent months, down from 10,000 per month when this problem was at its peak in 2004. The Government also asked the media and telecoms regulator, Ofcom, to review premium rate regulation in August 2004.Ofcom made a number of recommendations to reduce the scope for consumer harm. Many of these recommendations have already been implemented including raising the maximum penalty to £250,000 for those that abuse premium rate services. The flow of funds from network operators to service providers has now been slowed down. This will keep money in the system, which can then be used to pay redress to consumers who have been the victims of a scam. New rules on compensation for consumers who have been subject to a scam are being implemented. This change will mean that not only will ICSTIS be able to order refunds from service providers but also to collect the money from the telecoms companies to compensate consumers if it is not forthcoming from the service provider.

Date

10 January 2006

Reference

441 c474-5W; 40298

House

House of Commons

Internet Rogue Dialling

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of internet rogue dialling to consumers in each year since 2003; and how many consumers he estimates were affected in each year.

Asked by

Peter Bone (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

20 December 2005

For answer on

9 January 2006

Answered on

10 January 2006

Internet rogue diallers are regulated by the premium rate services regulator, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS).ICSTIS has no information on the cost of Internet rogue diallers to consumers either as a cumulative figure or in year on year statistics.ICSTIS is not in possession of sufficient information to estimate the number of consumers affected by rogue diallers though ICSTIS does record and investigate all complaints that the public submit.To this end, ICSTIS received the following numbers of complaints about dialler services in the years 2003 until 2005.

	Number
2003	4,600
2004	57,750
2005	4,550

As the figures clearly demonstrate, ICSTIS received record numbers of complaints about dialler services during 2004, which resulted in the introduction of a prior permission regime by ICSTIS for the software that enabled these services. This includes prominent pricing and premium rate number information prior to access of the service as well as the requirement to provide an on-screen clock that displays call duration and cumulative costs for a user.The level of complaints in 2005, demonstrates the impact that ICSTIS has had on the number of complaints received from members of the public.In the first instance it is a matter for the telecoms companies to decide how to resolve the problems facing their own customers over charges from Internet rogue diallers. Customers with disputed bills can use the services of the alternative dispute resolution schemes, of which all telecoms companies are members, to sort out disagreements. New rules on compensation for consumers who have been subject to a scam are also being implemented by ICSTIS. This change will mean that not only will ICSTIS be able to order refunds from service providers but also to collect the money from the telecoms companies to compensate consumers if it is not forthcoming from the service provider.

Date

10 January 2006

Reference

40301; 441 c476W

House

House of Commons

Internet Rogue Dialling

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures the Government is taking to tackle internet rogue dialling.

Asked by

Peter Bone (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

20 December 2005

For answer on

9 January 2006

Answered on

10 January 2006

The Government has taken action to ensure consumers are adequately protected from internet rogue diallers. As a result of discussions with ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, a prior permission scheme for internet diallers was put in place in August 2004. This means that all diallers have to be approved by ICSTIS before they can be released. ICSTIS can order service providers to pay redress if they breach the Code, with the threat of automatic barring from providing any premium rate service if they default. The number of complaints has fallen dramatically since the scheme was introduced in August 2004. Complaints to ICSTIS fell to a low of about 50 per month in recent months, down from 10,000 per month when this problem was at its peak in 2004. The Government also asked the media and telecoms regulator, Ofcom, to review premium rate regulation in August 2004.Ofcom made a number of recommendations to reduce the scope for consumer harm. Many of these recommendations have already been implemented including raising the maximum penalty to £250,000 for those that abuse premium rate services. The flow of funds from network operators to service providers has now been slowed down. This will keep money in the system, which can then be used to pay redress to consumers who have been the victims of a scam. New rules on compensation for consumers who have been subject to a scam are being implemented. This change will mean that not only will ICSTIS be able to order refunds from service providers but also to collect the money from the telecoms companies to compensate consumers if it is not forthcoming from the service provider.

Date

10 January 2006

Reference

441 c475-6W; 40300

House

House of Commons

Internet (Rogue Dialling)

Adjournment debate on rogue dialling on the Internet.

Lead member

Bob Blizzard

Answering member

Alun Michael

Department

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Adjournment debates

Date

19 December 2005

Reference

440 c1680-8

House

House of Commons

Rogue Dialling

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make representations to British Telecom on not holding consumers responsible for telephone charges due to rogue dialling; if he will introduce legislation to protect consumers from the effects of rogue dialling; and if he will ask the...

Asked by

Brian Binley (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

24 November 2005

For answer on

28 November 2005

Answered on

19 December 2005

The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has put in place a prior permission scheme for Premium Rate diallers. This makes it possible to assess the dialler software to be used for proposed services, and if appropriate to prohibit their release. The independent regulator for electronic communications, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), is currently consulting on extending this scheme to enable ICSTIS to take action against any rogue dialler irrespective of the telephone number or call charge used. Implementing a recommendation from Ofcom's Report into the Regulation of Premium Rate Services, this Department has just increased the maximum fine for breaches of the ICSTIS Code, and ICSTIS intends to review its sanctions policy early in 2006. ICSTIS has also put in place a key recommendation from the report to slow the money-flow to those that abuse the premium rate services charging mechanism. This obliges telecoms companies not to make payments to premium rate service providers for at least 30 days after calls have been made. This gives ICSTIS more time to identify breaches of its Code and enables ICSTIS to direct telecoms companies to withhold funds pending the outcome of investigations.As ICSTIS has not had any complaints since May, Premium Media Communications may have withdrawn from the UK dialler market. However ICSTIS plans to write to this company shortly to give it notice of the withdrawal of its licence to operate diallers. This means that no phone company can give Premium Media Communications premium rate numbers for dialler services.The Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman (Otelo) is the appropriate body to make representations to BT on consumer disputes about telephone charges due to rogue dialling, and regularly contacts BT about specific cases.

Date

19 December 2005

Reference

440 c2330-1W; 33181

House

House of Commons

Rogue Dialling

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to protect consumers from the telecommunications fraud known as rogue dialling; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Brian Binley (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

30 November 2005

Reference

440 c579W;440 c579W; 33007

House

House of Commons

E-mail Scams

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the amount of money fraudulently obtained from UK consumers through e-mail scams in each of the past 10 years.

Asked by

Barry Sheerman (Labour; Co-operative Party)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 November 2005

Reference

439 c42W;439 c42W; 24531

House

House of Commons

Telephone Services (Charging)

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ask Ofcom to investigate the practices of the companies Telecom Billing Services and Persolvo Debt Collection with regard to charging for telephone services.

Asked by

Brian Binley (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

2 November 2005

Reference

22546; 438 c1096W;438 c1094W

House

House of Commons

I-dialling

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to increase consumer awareness of i-dialling scams.

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 July 2005

Reference

10842; 436 c1181W;436 c1181W

House

House of Commons

Internet Fraud

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to protect users of internet auction and sales sites from fraud.

Asked by

Keith Vaz (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

10 June 2005

For answer on

14 June 2005

Answered on

16 June 2005

Government Departments are working with industry organisations and law enforcement agencies through groups such as the Internet Crime Forum to tackle internet crime.Two of the main approaches used in dealing with fraud over the internet are prevention and education. A large amount of fraud can be prevented if organisations and individuals have proper fraud prevention measures in place. The Home Office publishes fraud prevention advice on the e-tailing mini website, which forms part of the Crime Reduction website. It helps consumers and businesses protect themselves when buying and selling over the internet.The Government are also involved in the development of Project Endurance, an initiative that will launch an internet security public awareness campaign later this year. The project is an alliance of public and private sector bodies, which brings together several Government Departments and law enforcement organisations with a number of high profile private sector companies. This campaign will be targeted at micro business and consumers, primarily aimed at helping them gain confidence in using the internet.The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 protect consumers against payment card fraud including credit cards. The regulations apply to contracts made at a distance including online ones. The card issuer is required to reimburse consumers the full amount in the event of fraudulent use of the consumer's card.The Government issued guidance in December 2003 advising consumers how to guard against the risks associated with internet auction sites. Details are available from Consumer Direct Online at www.consumerdirectgov.uk/auctions.In 2004 the Office of Fair Trading published Tips for Safe Trading when buying from private sellers. Information is available from www.oft.gov.uk/internet+auctions.The Home Office website provides information about internet crime, potential scams and how not be a victim of fraud. Their website address is www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/fraud/preventationadvice.

Date

16 June 2005

Reference

435 c611-2W;435 c615-6W; 4716

House

House of Commons

Premium Rate Lines

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the number of people affected by malpractices in the premium rate telephone information services industry.

Asked by

Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

6 June 2005

Reference

1160; 434 c309W;434 c311W

House

House of Commons

Premium Rate Lines

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on procedures for investigation of malpractice in the premium rate telephone information services industry.

Asked by

Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

6 June 2005

Reference

1157; 434 c310-1W;434 c312-3W

House

House of Commons

Premium Rate Lines

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the role of the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services in investigating malpractice in the telephone services industry.

Asked by

Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

6 June 2005

Reference

1161; 434 c309-10W;434 c311-2W

House

House of Commons

Premium Rate Lines

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what penalties are imposed on operators of premium rate lines who advertise the number without disclosing the cost per minute.

Asked by

Nick Gibb (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

6 June 2005

Reference

1245; 434 c310W;434 c312W

House

House of Commons

Premium Rate Lines

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services has taken against the operators of premium rate phone line 09050099178; and who the operator of this line is.

Asked by

Nick Gibb (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

6 June 2005

Reference

1248; 434 c310W;434 c312W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to take action against those gangmasters who contravene provisions of the Gangmaster Licensing Act 2004.

Asked by

David Drew (Labour; Co-operative Party)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

22 February 2005

For answer on

4 March 2005

Answered on

4 March 2005

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to take action against those gangmasters who contravene provisions of the Gangmaster Licensing Act 2004. [218459] Alun Michael: The Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 gives the Secretary of State responsibility for enforcing the criminal offences set out in the legislation. These include the offences of operating as a gangmaster without a licence, using an unlicensed gangmaster and the possession or use of false documents. These offences will be brought into effect once gangmasters who require a licence have had the opportunity to apply for one. It will also be necessary for the Secretary of State to make regulations clarifying the checks labour users must make to establish the due diligence defence created by the Act. If the Gangmasters Licensing Authority makes early progress on specifying licence conditions and establishing the new licensing arrangements after its anticipated establishment on 1 April, it is expected that the new offences will be introduced mid 2006. A new team of enforcement officers will be appointed by the Secretary of State to enforce the criminal offences created under the Act. Enforcement officers will have wide ranging powers including the power of arrest, the right of entry and the power to obtain information or the production of records. The Act gives the Gangmasters Licensing Authority responsibility for ensuring that licence holders comply with the provisions of a licence issued to them. The Authority will set out how it intends to undertake its compliance role once it is formally established.

Legislation

Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004

Date

4 March 2005

Reference

218459; 431 c1436-7W;431 c1430-1W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her estimate is of the cost of theft and fraud to (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997. - Inc table and ref to Annual reports deposited in...

Asked by

Mark Prisk (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

12 October 2004

For answer on

25 October 2004

Answered on

25 October 2004

Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the cost of theft and fraud to (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997. [191420] Alun Michael: The Department came into existence in June 2001. Information covering earlier periods could only be reconstructed at disproportionate cost. Annual reports, which Treasury prepares on fraud, covering returns from both the former MAFF and DETR, are deposited in the House of Commons Library. Annual returns of fraud submitted by Defra, to HM Treasury for the financial years 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04, show the estimated total cost of theft and fraud to the Department to be as shown in the table: Information on NDPBs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. £ _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Fraud Theft 2001-02 Core-Defra 61,066 38,678 Agencies -- 226,111 2002-03 Core-Defra 16,749 96,236 Agencies -- -- 2003-04 Core-Defra 20,750 1,000 Agencies 171 -- _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Date

25 October 2004

Reference

425 c971W;425 c969-70W; 191420

House

House of Commons

2R:Gangmasters (Licensing) Bill 2003/04

Gangmasters (Licensing) Bill. Second Reading debate. Agreed to on question and committed to a Standing Committee.

Lead member

Jim Sheridan

Answering member

Alun Michael

Department

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Debates on bills

Date

27 February 2004

Reference

418 c515-77

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have been (a) investigated, (b) suspended, (c) dismissed, (d) prosecuted and (e) convicted for involvement in benefit fraud in each of the last six years; and what the amounts involved were in...

Asked by

Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

11 February 2004

Reference

417 c1441W; 151648

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher