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Journal of Trading Standards, Online Edition - JoTS Online

Welcome to the Journal of Trading Standards online edition, JoTS Online. Browse through our latest Articles - including Analysis, Opinion Pieces, Features and a selection of articles from our acclaimed print journal.

Although many JoTS Online articles are open access (public), others are exclusive to CTSI Members - in which case, you'll need to login to access them. If you aren't a member of CTSI yet, you can join us here. And, if you'd like to contribute articles or suggest topics for us to cover, please email our Editorial Team.

Latest JoTS Online Articles : 

News Category Tags: Crime, Product Safety, Health and Safety, Counterfeit Goods, Retail, Animal Health and Welfare, Legal and Policy, Enforcement Practice, Product Recalls, Property and Housing, Automotive, Vapes, Business, CTSI Conference, CTSI Hero Awards.

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In Conversation: Martyn James

Posted: 23 June 2025

OPINION: Martyn James reflects on a career spent explaining consumer rights to the public, from financial scandals and media work to the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud. His conversation underlines why clear, memorable advice matters when consumers are overwhelmed, anxious or unsure where to turn.

Stop Loan Sharks Week Kicks Off

Posted: 19 May 2025

UPDATES: Millions of people are living in fear of illegal money-lenders, and a new national campaign is urging them to seek help. Stop Loan Sharks Week 2025 shines a light on the hidden emotional toll of loansharking - and reassures victims that confidential support is available whenever they’re ready to come forward ...

 

Stop Loan Sharks Week kicks off

Posted: 19 May 2025

UPDATES: Covers the launch of the national campaign raising awareness of illegal money lending, the harm caused to vulnerable communities and the support available to victims.
 

Govt must 'get to grips' with rip-offs

Posted: 28 March 2025

UPDATES: CTSI is calling for stronger Government action after new research revealed the scale of consumer detriment across the UK, with billions of pounds lost to poor practice, scams and unfair treatment.
 

A diamond day for Trading Standards

Posted: 11 February 2025

UPDATES: A specialist training day at the Birmingham Assay Office highlighted the growing importance of diamond description, verification and hallmarking knowledge for Trading Standards Officers tackling consumer fraud.
 

Avoid the scammers this Black Friday

Posted: 25 November 2024

UPDATES: Worcestershire Trading Standards is urging Black Friday shoppers to stay alert to bogus websites, counterfeit goods and unsafe payment requests, while reminding consumers of their cancellation and refund rights when online bargains go wrong.
 

Firework safety in the spotlight

Posted: 30 October 2024

UPDATES: South Lanarkshire Trading Standards is checking all 34 registered firework sellers through covert test purchases, reinforcing Scotland’s rules on underage sales, legal selling hours and restricted seasonal sales periods.
 

Mail forwarding company fined

Posted: 29 October 2024

UPDATES: Islington’s prosecution of Mailbox Group Ltd highlights the compliance risks facing mail forwarding firms after fake identification checks obstructed a drugs investigation and exposed serious weaknesses in client verification.
 

Hull gets gold with Touchstone Award

Posted: 21 October 2024

UPDATES: Hull Trading Standards receives the Touchstone Award after dismantling a major online jewellery scam, highlighting the investigation that led to recognition for protecting consumers.
 

Hallmarking: worth its weight in gold

Posted: 08 October 2024

OPINION: Counterfeit gold jewellery remains a major threat to consumers and legitimate traders. This opinion piece argues that effective hallmarking, stronger enforcement and greater public awareness are essential to protecting confidence in the jewellery market.
 

LTS weighs in on unfair pricing

Posted: 08 October 2024

UPDATES: Inspections during London Trading Standards Week uncovered widespread pricing failures, from missing shelf prices to misleading charges at the till, reinforcing the importance of clear pricing and robust enforcement during the cost-of-living crisis.
 

CTSI speaks out on fraud protections

Posted: 07 October 2024

UPDATES: CTSI criticises the reduction in the reimbursement cap for authorised push payment fraud victims, warning that the new limit risks leaving consumers exposed and calling for stronger protections against increasingly sophisticated scams.
 

Age verification app wins approval

Posted: 04 October 2024

UPDATES: A new age verification app has received Primary Authority approval after demonstrating high levels of accuracy, offering retailers an automated way to strengthen age-restricted sales compliance and record refusals.
 

Fraud refund proposal slammed

Posted: 05 September 2024

UPDATES: Which? has condemned the Payment Systems Regulator’s proposal to cut the reimbursement cap for authorised push payment fraud victims from £415,000 to £85,000, warning that high-value scam victims could be abandoned.
 

Herts TS issues Oasis scam warning

Posted: 02 September 2024

UPDATES: Hertfordshire Trading Standards has urged Oasis fans to avoid ticket scams by using official sellers, checking website details and paying by credit card, as ministers also examine dynamic pricing practices.
 

CTSI speaks out on dynamic pricing

Posted: 02 September 2024

UPDATES: CTSI is calling for consumers who experienced unexpected price increases when buying Oasis concert tickets to report their experiences, adding the profession's voice to growing scrutiny of dynamic pricing and its implications for consumer protection.
 

HALO Award seeks entrants

Posted: 12 August 2024

SPONSORED: The British Hallmarking Council is inviting entries for the 2024 HALO Award, recognising online jewellers who help consumers understand hallmarks and avoid misleading descriptions when buying precious-metal jewellery.
 

Taking on the ticket scam touts

Posted: 06 August 2024

ANALYSIS: TQ Tickets was a family-run enterprise which bought concert tickets in bulk from primary sellers online and...
 

CMA examines trusted trader sites

Posted: 17 July 2024

UPDATES: The CMA has opened a consultation on trader recommendation platforms amid concerns over misleading endorsements, inadequate vetting and weak complaints processes. The review seeks views on improving standards and consumer confidence across the sector.
 

Help is at hand for UK consumers

Posted: 08 July 2024

OPINION: Cross-border shopping, online marketplaces and increasingly sophisticated scams have made consumer protection more complex than ever. This opinion piece highlights the practical support available through the UK International Consumer Centre team and explains why international cooperation remains vital for resolving disputes.