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Fraud Updates
PCB News
Fraud Updates 2007
7 March
A man in Scotland, who sued an internet company for sending an unwanted advertising e-mail, has been awarded £750 plus costs in a landmark ruling which sets the level of compensation for spam.
The case sends a warning shot to companies for two reasons; firstly, while £750 in itself is not a high value sum of money, this was for one person. The company in this case had sent the email in question to 72,000 people. The sums involved could have a far greater impact if a company were to be faced with numerous claims from recipients.
Secondly, there is the potential for a company to face higher value claims if a recipient were to suffer a loss as a result of, for example, identity fraud due to the mishandling of their personal data.
1 March
In a further move to combat fraud, the Government announced yesterday that it is setting up an Asset Freezing Unit. One of its roles will be to target fraudsters as quickly as possible, recognising that this is a key factor in successful asset recovery. The announcement represents yet further recognition that the asset tracing and freezing powers of the civil courts provide one of the most effective remedies in combating fraud.
Separately, a recent survey highlights that it is the companies who are seen by the public to be taking effective measures to protect personal data who will trade successfully online, whilst those who do not will suffer the consequences of lower sales.
| April 2007 | February 2007 |