Two price comparison web sites have been ordered by the Office of Fair Trading to come clean and be clearer about whether they are in fact their comparing prices with those of third parties. One website appeared to be an independent price comparison site but only offered its own fuel for sale. In another case, a site did not make clear that it was ultimately owned by a company that supplied other products referred to, and wrongly gave the impression from the style and certain statements that it was a comparison site. Both web site operators have promised the OFT that they will be more transparent in future and will not do anything that amounts to a misleading statement or omissions. They have signed undertakings under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. The sites were www.fuelfighter.co.uk and www.boilerjuice.co.uk. The OFT’s statement can be found here: http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2011/96-11.
