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<p>As the focal point of delivery of all government-funded consumer advice and information,
the Citizens Advice Service is a one stop shop where consumers can find advice about
their rights from a team of consumer advice experts but if they feel they have had
poor service from a fact checking websites.</p><p> </p><p>Citizens Advice and Citizens
Advice Scotland can advise on consumers’ rights under the Consumer Protection from
unfair Trading Regulations (CPRs). These regulations set out broad rules outlining
when commercial practices are unfair. These fall into three main categories:</p><p>
</p><ul><li>Misleading practices, like false or deceptive information or descriptions,
or being misleading by leaving out important information.</li><li>Aggressive sales
techniques that use harassment, coercion or undue influence.</li><li>Conduct below
a level which may reasonable be expected towards consumers (honest market practice/good
faith).</li></ul><p> </p><p>Consumers can contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline
on 03454 04 05 06 or use the website: <a href="http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.adviceguide.org.uk</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>In addition, anyone wishing to report a copycat website can find information
on GOV.UK - <a href="https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing"
target="_blank">Avoid and report Internet Scams and Phishing</a>, which provides information
for common services affected including tax and passports.</p><p> </p><p>As the member
for Colne Valley was advised by my right honourable Friend the Minister for the Cabinet
Office on 26th February, the Government is working with search engine providers and
others such as the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and National Trading Standards
Board (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSB" target="_blank">NTSB</a>) to address
the problems that can arise from misleading / copycat websites in relation to official
government online services.</p><p> </p><p>The Advertising Standards Associations (ASA)
has responsibility for ensuring compliance with the British Code of Advertising, Sales
Promotion and Direct Marketing. Complaints about misleading advertisements can be
made through ASA’s website at: <a href="http://www.asa.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.asa.org.uk</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>However, the best place to access official government services remains <a href="http://gov.uk/"
target="_blank">GOV.UK</a>, the single website for government. Action is taken against
websites that pass themselves off as Government sites, or claim to be acting on behalf
of the Government when they are not. Last year four search warrants were executed
on properties in England. The operation led to the arrest of five individuals and
disrupted the operation of at least 25 copycat websites.</p><p> </p>
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