Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service

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Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service The role of the Trading Standards Service is to promote and maintain fair trading, protect consumers and enable reputable businesses to thrive within NI.

🛒 Cybercrime Season is Here: Are You (and Your Business) Ready for Black Friday and Christmas sales? With the run-up to ...
20/10/2026

🛒 Cybercrime Season is Here: Are You (and Your Business) Ready for Black Friday and Christmas sales?

With the run-up to Black Friday and the festive shopping season well underway, bargain hunters are heading online in droves—and unfortunately, cybercriminals are ready and waiting.

Whether you're snapping up festive deals or managing a business during peak sales season, fraudsters are stepping up their game with fake invoice requests, phishing texts, and fraudulent retail links.

To help you stay safe, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards and Surrey Police are hosting two free, practical webinars designed to help you spot modern fraud, lock down your devices, and know what to do if you’re targeted. Both 90-minute sessions are completely free to join.

👉 Secure Your Free Consumer Spot on Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unwrapping-cybercrime-modern-fraud-what-every-consumer-needs-to-know-tickets-1996216812222
👉 Secure Your Free Organisation Spot on Eventbrite
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unwrapping-cybercrime-modern-fraud-what-every-organisation-needs-to-know-tickets-1996217547421

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is raising awareness of romance scams involving dating apps and gift cards - http...
15/10/2026

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is raising awareness of romance scams involving dating apps and gift cards - https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/appeal-remain-cautious-following-recent-reports-romance-scams

Trading Standards is also receiving increasing reports of people being targeted through social media in similar befriending scams. Criminals often spend weeks or months building a relationship before asking for money, gift cards, or financial help. Stay alert, never send money or gift cards to someone you've only met online, and talk to someone you trust if you're unsure.

Need consumer advice? We’re here to help.If you have a problem with a product or service, contact Consumerline for free ...
14/10/2026

Need consumer advice? We’re here to help.
If you have a problem with a product or service, contact Consumerline for free consumer advice on 0300 123 62 62
Monday–Thursday: 9am–5pm | Friday: 9am–4pm

Prefer to contact us online? You can submit a web enquiry form at any time nidirect.gov.uk/consumerline

Please provide as much information as possible about your issue, including details of the business, what you bought or paid for, and the problem you are experiencing.

Consumerline – helping you understand your consumer rights.

If you need to have work done to your home, having someone you can trust is essential.Scammers often pose as tradespeopl...
13/10/2026

If you need to have work done to your home, having someone you can trust is essential.

Scammers often pose as tradespeople, adding pressure with the aim of making you agree to their price quickly and without doing your research.

Learn how to protect yourself from rogue traders so you can choose the right person for you with confidence - and save yourself from potential future problems or expenses! ⤵️

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/doorstep-fraud

A big thank you to Mayor Cllr Grace Uí Niallais of Derry City & Strabane District Council for meeting with presenters la...
12/10/2026

A big thank you to Mayor Cllr Grace Uí Niallais of Derry City & Strabane District Council for meeting with presenters last Thursday to discuss the upcoming Talk Money event, hosted by The Money and Pensions Service on 3rd November.

We appreciate your support and look forward to a successful event that encourages conversations about money and financial wellbeing.

Deepfake scams are becoming more convincing than ever, using cloned voices and fake videos to trick people into trusting...
08/10/2026

Deepfake scams are becoming more convincing than ever, using cloned voices and fake videos to trick people into trusting what they see and hear. If someone tells you they’ve been targeted, believe them. These scams are designed to deceive anyone, and it is never the victim’s fault.

If someone you know has become the victim of a deepfake scam, encourage them to act fast:
📞 Contact the bank immediately (call 159 or the number on their card)
📱 Save all evidence: messages, numbers, adverts, and the original files rather than screenshots where possible.
⚠️ Watch for follow-up "recovery" scams from criminals pretending to help
🔒 Report any misuse of photos, videos or voice recordings to the platform involved

📖 Learn more https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/site-media/459681254/pdf

06/10/2026

Consumer rights: good for your customers, great for your business.

Does your business sell or hire goods, provide services, or supply digital content to consumers? If so, understanding your responsibilities under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 is essential.

The Act sets clear standards for businesses. Goods and digital content should be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality, while services should be delivered with reasonable care and skill.

The Consumer Rights Act isn't just about compliance. It's a powerful tool that can help your business to:

✔️ Reduce complaints and disputes
✔️ Resolve issues quickly and fairly
✔️ Build customer trust and confidence
✔️ Protect and strengthen your reputation
✔️ Avoid costly mistakes
✔️ Encourage repeat business
✔️ Support long-term business success

For more information and practical guidance, visit: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/consumerrightsact

05/10/2026

🚨 Remember: the discount is applied automatically. You do not need to apply. Be wary of calls, texts or emails asking for personal details or claiming you need to complete a form to receive the payment.

💬 A quick conversation could help prevent a scam.Winter Fuel Payment scams target older people who may be less confident...
05/10/2026

💬 A quick conversation could help prevent a scam.

Winter Fuel Payment scams target older people who may be less confident with unexpected messages.

Remind friends, family members and neighbours that most payments are automatic and that the DWP will not ask for bank details by text message.

If they're unsure, encourage them to check messages with Ask Silver.

🔗 friendsagainstscams.org.uk/ask-silver

Could you spot a deepfake? 📞🤖From cloned voices pretending to be loved ones to fake emergencies demanding money, scams c...
02/10/2026

Could you spot a deepfake? 📞🤖
From cloned voices pretending to be loved ones to fake emergencies demanding money, scams created by artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming increasingly convincing.

Protect yourself by:
✅ Agreeing a family code word only your loved ones know
✅ Save the real numbers of your bank and close family, and remember 159: the safe way to reach your bank’s fraud team from any phone.
✅ Make a rule: no urgent money request gets an answer within the hour. Real emergencies survive a pause. Scams don't.
✅ Check things some other way, using a number or website you already know is real.
✅ Tell the people around you about these scams. Someone who has heard of voice cloning is very hard to scam with it.

📖 Learn more https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/site-media/459681254/pdf

Address

176 Newtownbreda Road
Belfast
BT86

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+443001236262

Website

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