OFT ‘SAVE XMAS' CAMPAIGN COMES TO THE MIDLANDS
| Published: 11th December 2007 21:49 |
The OFT is launching the Save Xmas campaign in the Midlands today Tuesday 11 December. The education campaign, launched in June, aims to help people to choose the best option for Christmas saving. It is part of the Government's response to the collapse of the Farepak hamper company last year, when 17,000 people across the Midlands lost their Christmas savings.
The OFT was asked by HM Treasury to carry out an awareness programme to help people look at and assess the various ways there are to save for Christmas and decide what works best for them. The OFT is working with Midlands community groups and consumer organisations to run light-hearted sessions for groups of people.
The OFT has produced a toolkit including a leaflet, a short film, presentations, research findings and background information that form the basis of the twenty minute training sessions. More information on the 'Save Xmas' campaign can be downloaded from the OFT website at http://www.oft.gov.uk/savexmas
Sue Cook, OFT Head of Consumer and Business Education, said:
‘Thousands of consumers were affected by the collapse of Farepak and community groups including many tenants groups provided advice and options. The OFT is committed to working with such groups locally to increase knowledge and skills about savings, not only for this Christmas but for many years to come. This campaign is not about telling people what they can and can't do with their money. What is important is that people who want to save for Christmas can do so, knowing what their options are and what risks are involved.'
Paul McCabe, Chairman of the Central England Trading Standards Authority, Advice and Education Group, said:
'Trading Standards Authorities across the Midlands are often called upon to provide legal advice to Consumers when things have gone wrong. Christmas savers are often unaware of the options available to them or the risks of one scheme over another. That is why we are supporting the Save Xmas campaign as it seeks to help consumers make the right choices for their own circumstances.'
