Dabs.com and Time bow to OFT pressure

Dabs.com and Time Computers have agreed to stop using misleading ads for interest-free credit.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) won the assurances as part of an ongoing campaign to crack down on companies it believes could be in breach of consumer law.

In particular, it was unhappy with Time Computers and Dabs.com which were advertising "interest free" credit, "0% APR" or "interest free option/choice" deals for their products.

In reality interest was payable from the date of the agreement if a lump sum was not paid off
in full by the end of the interest free period. The OFT took the view that such adverts break the law and could mislead the public.

John Vickers, Director General of Fair Trading, said: "When a consumer signs an interest free deal, they need to know they are getting just that."

No one from Dabs.com was available for comment at the time of writing.

A spokesman for Time Computers said the company ceased running the misleading ads when it received notice from the OFT in April.

"We never meant to mislead anyone," he said.

In April the OFT won a similar undertaking concerning misleading advertising from giant electrical retailer Dixons Group ®