Tag Archives: consumers

Help Spot and Avoid a Fake Mobile Phone for WCRD 2012

On World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2012, consumers worldwide are reminded that they have the power to make the right choice and avoid fake or knock off mobile phones.

“People can inadvertently purchase a fake or sub-standard phone, through no fault of their own, by trying to find a cheaper price for a phone – especially on the internet,” said Michael Milligan, Secretary General of the Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF).

“Everyone wants to be able to buy a product at a good price. But unscrupulous suppliers are exploiting that desire for a bargain to sell products that are not what they claim, or that are just poor quality and perhaps even dangerous. To help consumers identify and avoid these fake or knock-off phones, genuine manufacturers have created the www.spotafakephone.comwebsite.”

Most fake phones are counterfeit copies of genuine handsets, which steal intellectual property such as designs, technologies and trademarks to deliberately deceive consumers. Fake phones are also produced without government approval, safety testing or certification and are sold illegally on the world’s black markets.

“The global black market for fake handsets has grown rapidly over the past few years and is estimated to be in excess of 200 million devices every year,” Mr Milligan said.

“With counterfeiters imitating all facets of a phones appearance, including labeling, design and packaging, it can be hard to spot whether a phone is fake or genuine, so the mobile industry developed this website to help consumers identify fakes and make the right choice.”

“Often it is the sub-standard components, low quality manufacturing and poor performance that impact on consumers after they have already purchased a fake, especially in the area of consumer safety, and usually the consumer has no recourse with the supplier.”

“Another important benefit of buying a genuine phone is that original manufacturers stand behind the quality of their own products and provide important product warranties to consumers should problems arise after purchase.” Mr Milligan said

Consumers can do their part in helping to identify, report and avoid fake or knock off phones by going to: www.spotafakephone.com.

Via EPR Network
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Prudential Lifetime Mortgage research finds that more than one in four Britons will head to parents or in-laws homes during the festive season

Prudential Lifetime Mortgage reports the traditional family Christmas is set for a comeback this year, with more than one on four (28 per cent) of British adults intending to spend Christmas day at parents, in-laws or relatives homes.

The findings, from new research conducted for Prudential Lifetime Mortgage, reveals that just one per cent of British adults intend going to a hotel or restaurant for Christmas day and just two per cent are going on holiday.

According to the Prudential, the family home is set to feature heavily in plans for the entire festive period with more than one in three British adults (37 per cent) intending to spend time over the festive period at their parents or in-laws homes. Of these people more than half (51 per cent) said they are going to parents/in-laws homes as they see it as a hub for the family to get together. 32 per cent said they like getting their Christmas meal cooked for them. 28 per cent said spending time at their parents/in laws homes makes Christmas feel more like a holiday and 22 per cent said going to their parents/in-laws home reminds them of their childhood.

For over a quarter of the nation the family home will be the Christmas venue of choice as people look to tighten their belts this Christmas. The findings reveal that 40 per cent of British adults say they will spend less on Christmas this year.

Keith Haggart, Director of Lifetime Mortgages, Prudential stated: “While it is inevitable that many people will be looking to cut back this Christmas, that doesn’t mean that Britain will be spending the festive period mired in gloom. Millions of people will be spending more time together as a family and for many that means going to their parents or in-laws to enjoy Christmas in the family home.

Keith Haggart continued, “The findings underline the emotional importance of the family home to the entire extended family and at a time when many households will be looking at ways to boost their income, downsizing is not only a challenging proposition in a flat housing market, but could also potentially remove the enjoyment experienced by the rest of the family when visiting the family home. An option is for people to explore whether an equity release plan could help them gain an income from their property while still being able to continue living in it.”

ICM interviewed a random sample of 1050 British adults aged 18+ from its online panel between 7th -9th November 2008. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all British adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk

About Prudential:
Established in 1848, Prudential plc is an international financial services company with a product range which extends from personal banking, insurance, pensions and retail investments, to institutional fund management and property investments. In the UK Prudential is a leading life and pensions provider with around seven million customers.

Via EPR Network
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