Bracknell

Bracknell Residents looking for New Year bargains are being warned to make sure they are fully aware of the small print before taking up credit deals.

In a survey of high street shops, Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s trading standards found 26 per cent were advertising credit deals which did not comply with the law.

Retailers are required to display a typical annual percentage rate (APR) if advertising credit deals – for example a set monthly repayment. Displaying an APR allows customers to compare credit rates, make an informed choice, and makes sure customers are not tricked into deals which appear to be interest free.

Trading standards found the illegal advertising included free interest for the first 12 months and then an annual agreement of up to 30 per cent APR.

The advertising has been raised with the shops' head offices, and trading standards may take further action if they continue to use illegal advertising.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: It is important that customers in Bracknell Forest are not being misled into taking out expensive credit deals.

While some shops have already corrected their advertising, we are continuing to monitor the deals being advertised in our local shops and will consider further action if we continue to find these important regulations are still being breached.”

For more information and advice about buying on credit and other consumer issues, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/tradingstandards or call 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council