Social Media Advertising Warning from Trading Standards

Once again people who are using social media to advertise their businesses are being urged to do it legally after Trading Standards in Swansea has achieved another successful Prosecution.

The call follows a latest court case at West Glamorgan Magistrates Court in which a Swansea man received significant fines for advertising services which he was not entitled to offer.

The offences related to a credit brokerage and debt advice business operated by David Sean Govier from Loughor, Swansea.

Mr Govier was advertising the company via the popular social media website Facebook as well as running his own website.

The offences related to advertising services such as debt management, debt counselling and brokerage without authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority.

Mr Govier pleaded guilty to an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and two offences under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The Magistrates imposed heavy fines totalling £3,850.

Swansea Council Trading Standards has stated that anyone seeking to advertise a business in this way should seek proper guidance and advice from the relevant regulatory body before they do anything.

Mark Child, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Healthy City, said: “Our Trading Standards Team is using social media more and more to look at businesses that are advertising services to see if they are doing it legally.

Consumer Credit and Debt advice is a specialised service which because of it’s nature requires businesses to be fit and properly authorised to carry out those services in a professional manner.

Written by Surrey Trading Standards