The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and UK International Consumer Centre (UKICC) are warning consumers and businesses to stay vigilant of scams using our name and branding.

We have recently been alerted to a number of new scams involving fraudulent LinkedIn profiles, fraudulent emails and letters falsely claiming to represent CTSI or UKICC.

Some of these scams include:

• Emails being sent from [email protected], falsely claiming to represent CTSI or UKICC
• A LinkedIn profile under the name of 'Karen Moss' claiming to be a Compliance Officer at CTSI is fake
• Letters and bogus text messages impersonating CTSI, with fraudsters copying the CTSI branding

How to spot a scam?

Common signs of a scam using CTSI's name include:

• Unexpected emails or messages claiming you are owed money
• Use of unofficial email addresses (such as hotmail, gmail or any other domains that do not look legitimate)
• Poor grammar, unusual formatting or suspicious links
• Claims of association with “CTSI”, “UKICC” or “ECC” or similar, especially if asking for action or payment

Remember:

• CTSI and UKICC never send unsolicited emails offering compensations, refunds or funds of any kind
• We will never ask you to provide personal information without legitimate reason

Protect yourself

Only trust communications from official CTSI channels. If in doubt, do not click or respond - contact us directly to verify.

Here's an Example of Scam Letter - further examples are available upon request, from the CTSI Press Office: [email protected] (please use this email address to enquire about any other CTSI Policy-related matters).

Report to Action Fraud or in Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, or if in Northern Ireland, call Consumerline on 0300 123 6262. For consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.