MAS seeks comments on Guidelines on Board and Senior Management Responsibility for Delivering Fair Dealing Outcomes to Consumers

MAS

Whistle-blower site taken offline

BBC NEWS | Technology |

Efusion's Charging for Incorrect Subscription Keywords

IDA Singapore - Policies & Regulation - Determinations and Enforcement
1st case for 2008 has just been published. Click on the above link, and then click on the "2008" link to see it.

Toy safety

CHOICE - Toy safety
Although this is a Australian article, the toy checklist is still very useful for parents in Singapore.

Toy safety checklist

Here are some general rules to help you when choosing a toy.

Look for a label, or instructions on the packaging, which should tell you:

* Age recommendations
* Instructions for proper assembly (if appropriate)
* Proper use and supervision (if appropriate).

Note: always remove and carefully dispose of all packaging before giving a toy to a baby or small child. And where appropriate, make sure your child understands any important instructions.

"Not suitable for children under three"

This is a safety warning, not an indication of skill level or intelligence. For example, it's illegal for toys (and their parts) suitable for children under three to be so small that they can present a choking hazard. As a guide, if a toy or its parts can fit wholly into a 35 mm film canister, don't give it to a child under three years of age.

* Make sure the toy and any of its parts are sufficiently large
* Check toys regularly for loose parts that could present a choking danger

Note: ingestion/inhalation test cylinders are available in baby specialty stores.

Buy washable, non-breakable toys for babies. Make sure there are no:

* Sharp edges
* Sharp points
* Rough surfaces
* Small parts that could be bitten or could break off.

If a sharp edge or a sharp point is essential to the function of the toy — for a toy sewing machine or toy scissors for example — make sure you show your child how to use it safely and always supervise.

Check there are no gaps or holes in a toy, where a child could trap their fingers.

Be wary of toys that make loud noises particularly toys that are held against the ear, such as walkie talkies and toy mobile phones — as they can be harmful to hearing.

Toy chests and boxes should be designed not to trap or close on top of children, or better still they should have a lightweight removable lid. Anything big enough to crawl inside must have ventilation holes. Also, make sure the lid is fitted with rubber or other stoppers that alllow a gap of 12 mm or more when the lid is closed so that small fingers can't be crushed and to assist with ventilation.

If you're buying a toy that shoots projectiles, only choose ones that have a soft, one-piece dart or non removable suction caps. The projectile musn't be small enough to pose a choking hazard. Also, make sure that the firing mechanism won't discharge any other objects, like stones or nails, and that the projectile's impact is weak enough not to cause injury.

Check for ventilation before buying tents, masks or helmets.

Ensure that ride-on toys are stable and appropriate to the age of the child. Toy bikes should have effective brakes which can be applied by the rider.

Swimming aids and flotation devices shouldn't be considered 'toys'. Adult supervision is essential with these devices. Check that they're marked to comply with the Australian Standard, and follow the instructions carefully.

Think about whether the toy fits your child's developmental needs. Toys meant for older children can be totally inappropriate or even dangerous for younger children.

Note: the information provided in this guide is advisory only.

OFT publishes credit card comparisons report

The Office of Fair Trading
Main findings are below

• the introduction of an independent credit card price comparison website run by the FSA
• improvement to how information is presented in credit card issuers' summary boxes
• standardisation of terminology used by credit card issuers in their product literature, and
• improvements to consumer education about the benefits of shopping around for a credit card.

OFT exposes scammers 'tricks of the trade'

The Office of Fair Trading
Summary of "tricks" below...

1. Offering you the unattainable dream - scammers hook you by promising to fulfil your dreams and aspirations. You are told that you alone have been chosen because you are special, but in fact the same scam has been sent to thousands of other people.
2. Using official sounding names and job titles or referring to important sounding organisations to give a false impression that the scam comes from someone in a position of high authority who can be instantly trusted. This works by overcoming the initial gut feeling that something is not quite right.
3. Using fake deadlines to create a sense of urgency and a fear of missing out. You are told that if you don't reply immediately the opportunity will be gone forever, triggering an impulse to respond before you have the chance to think the offer through properly.
4. Using fake testimonials from satisfied customers to reinforce the impression that the scam offer is genuine - this exploits people's normal tendency to follow the crowd and helps to validate what is being offered.
5. Offering worthless 'money back guarantees' to convince you that you are dealing with a legitimate trader and that there is no risk in sending off your money.