An international network of consumer watchdogs is sweeping the internet targeting genealogy and family history research in the search for scammers.

The International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network is looking for sites that seek to deceive shoppers, investors and researchers with false claims, scams and overhyped promises.

Apparently there are all sorts of sites out there where researchers claim to provide your family tree. However some customers are claiming that if a family tree ever arrives in the mail, it appears to be made up by the scammers.

The sites targeted and trapped by the sweep will be given notice to clean up the information they provide consumers. Others might be asked to take down their site.

Consumer watchdogs have been fairly successful lately in targeting sites who think they can avoid consumer law. In Australia
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recently launched a criminal investigation into a site called Designer Brand Outlet. While it promised discount designer clothes only to deliver fakes or not supply the product at all.

The ACCC closed the site and there are Federal Court injunctions issued against its owners. X

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AP