CMA Cracks Down on Online Rip-Offs as Cost of Living Bites
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is kicking off a fresh wave of its hit campaign, ‘Online Rip-Off Tip-Off’. This year, shoppers are urged to report dodgy online deals through a brand-new digital reporting form.
Angellica Bell Backs the Battle Against Online Scammers
- Consumer champion and Martin Lewis Money Show co-host Angellica Bell leads the charge.
- The CMA warns UK businesses with a tough letter on price slash and urgency claim red lines.
- New poll reveals 67% of Brits are hunting harder for bargains amid soaring living costs.
Angellica Bell said: “With prices spiraling, shoppers are desperate for bargains — and some online sellers are exploiting that with sneaky sales tactics. It’s time to call out these rip-offs and report them to the CMA.”
Beware of Fake Deals, Pressure Selling & Sneaky Tactics
The campaign exposes dirty tricks like pressure selling, hidden fees, subscription traps, and fake reviews that push people to splash their cash online. The CMA’s letter to businesses lays down the law on misleading price drops and fake urgency claims—common ploys that can break consumer laws.
Survey Reveals Shocking Stats on Online Rip-Offs
A fresh poll of 3,700 UK adults found:
- 67% feel the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis and are desperate to find deals.
- 71% think buying deals saves them money — even if some offers are bogus.
- 1 in 4 (24%) admit they’ve fallen victim to sly online sales tactics.
- Nearly a quarter (23%) didn’t realise claims like “15 minutes left” or “buy now” can be false.
- A whopping 68% want these misleading tactics banned.
George Lusty, CMA’s Senior Director for Consumer Protection, warned: “Every penny counts now, and some businesses are using shady tactics to nick shoppers’ cash. This poll is just the tip of the iceberg. Businesses must follow our new guidance to make sure their online sales play by the rules.”
Stay sharp, shop smart, and report online scams to the CMA to help crack down on rip-offs!
