World Trustmark and Trade Alliance

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The rise of subscription helpdesk scams

(June 4, 2020) Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of the Ecommerce Foundation, talks about what subscription helpdesk scams imply and why they must not be ignored

Scamadviser.com – an online algorithm to identify fraudulent online activities – often gets emails from consumers who ask ‘Why was my credit card charged?’, while many of the 2,5 million monthly visitors report websites which have charged their credit card of which they have never heard before (let alone visited). Lots of complaints refer to websites that offer services named:

  • Billing support and assistance;
  • Cancelling your subscription or membership;
  • Dispute resolution and chargeback prevention.

Everything on these websites is focused on preventing consumers from doing a chargeback but instead ‘help’ them to unsubscribe from an (unknown) subscription. Hence the name ‘subscription helpdesks’.

Who are behind these subscription helpdesks? Read More…

Stronger and Further Together in The New Normal

April 24, 2020

Dear distinguished WTA members, partners and friends

Greetings with blessings.

We are heartedly thankful for response from Europe E-Commerce Foundation, ODR-Room Network, Thailand Partner in Textile industry and US Acxiom to support our advocate for Trust, Fair and Connecting digital trading against COVID-19. They are not only sponsoring medical masks and Infrared Forehead Thermometer (though the delivery were unluckily blocked by bans of medical supplies’ exporting), but also record videos for international webinar hosted by EBS on May 13th. We also gratefully received positive feedbacks from members and partners in Hongkong, Malaysia, Philippine, Singapore…etc.

Along with the global outbreaks of COVID-19, we would like to remain actions to sustain principles of Trusted merchants, Fair transactional framework and Connecting collaborations to overcome the challenges of downward economics, struggling business operations and consumers’ confidence.

At this critical moment of epidemic, we plan to assist WTA members and partners to keep communications on updating activities, products and service periodically. We understand only with continuous support to each other, we will be stronger and further together as a valuable global village and trusted network.

May you all stay healthy and confident in the New Normal.

Sincerely,
WTA Vice Chairperson
Mandai Eiichiro

WTA Honorary Vice Chairperson
Professor Zhang Ping

WTA Chairperson
DR. JJ Pan

HKFEC to help e-commerce during COVID-19

HKFEC to Help Hong Kong Companies to Leverage E-Commerce During the Business Impact from COVID-19 Outbreak

(16th March 2020, Hong Kong) – Under the impacts brought by COVID-19, all industries in HK are severely affected. Retail sales have been dropping from last year, and the decreasing trend can hardly be retreated before the 2nd quarter of 2020. Some organizations even predict there will be a large-scale shake-out. Therefore, Hong Kong Federation of E-commerce (HKFEC) will assist all enterprises to develop online business, hopefully to overcome the current economic difficulties with the public together.

As the coronavirus epidemic is unsparing, citizens tend to go out less, while enterprises can hardly arrange staff to offices or marketplaces, digital transformation seems to be the only way out of the current situation. Service industries, such as banking, insurance and accounting, can use different tools to help remote working; retail industries can consider developing e-shops to strengthen digital marketing, attracting new customers and increasing income diversity. However, digital transformation may sound easy, but the whole process from establishment to operation, it can be very different from traditional retail and thus much effort is required. Therefore, HKFEC would like to gather their experts and members to assist in developing online businesses for people or companies who are keen on doing so. Any parties with such need are welcome to contact us for free consultation. In the meantime, we also welcome capable digital experts to volunteer their services, resources and tools for people or SMEs who need help in transforming their business onto Internet or kick starting their online business.

Read more…

WTA/EBS will subside the local delivery fee as a blessing.

February 22, 2020

This is a critical moment while coronavirus disease outbreak and trading conflicts encountering all over the world.

Trust, Fair and Connect as core values of new WTA, World Trustmark and Trade Alliance. We would like to address again the importance of online trust to strengthen the fragile economy, fair trade against improper discrimination, and proportional connection against unreasonable isolations.

On 30th January 2020, the WHO Director General has declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019- nCoV as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), based on the advice of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005). Following that determination, WHO did not recommend any travel or trade restrictions. Based on Article 43 of International Health Regulations, a State Party implementing additional health measures significantly interfering with international traffic shall provide to WHO the public health rationale and relevant scientific information for it. WTA would also like to encourage trusted merchants in China and WTA continue normal trading and delivery with reasonable precaution.

Accordingly, we are calling for sponsoring medical supplies from your certified/trusted merchants to support Shenzhen China, where previously rotating chairing organization EBS located. If you are luckily able to deliver any of the below medical supplies from your country, WTA/EBS will subside the local delivery fee as a blessing.

Items of requested medical supplies

1. Medical rubber protective clothing
2. Medical protective mask (N95, GB19083-2010)
3. Surgical mask (YY0469-2011)
4. Medical safety glasses
5. Face shield for medical use
6. Disposable protective clothing for medical use
7. Others (including other medical supplies, recipient details, delivery tracks…etc. that EBS Shenzhen will assist to coordinate)

May you and the beloved ones remain joyful, healthy and safe.
Let’s expect next inspiring meeting and more prosperous 2020.

Sincerely,
Vice Chairperson, Mandai Eiichiro
Honorary Vice Chairwoman, Professor Ping Zhang
Rotating Chairwoman, Dr. JJ Pan

Upgrade Ecommerce Trust to next level by Blockchain and InsurTech

HONG KONG, May 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce (HKFEC) reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Dowsure Technologies Co., Ltd. (Dowsure) to integrate blockchain technology and consumer insurance to Hong Kong Trust Mark, and to build a trustworthy cross-border e-commerce environment for Hong Kong retailers, at the conference held at Trade & Industry Department (TID)’s Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs today.

Hong Kong Trust Mark was launched by the Federation in 2016 to tackle disputes raised on IP rights, integrity, trust over marketplaces, and to strengthen confidence level for all people shop online with Hong Kong merchants. The trust mark scheme was launched to provide guidance and assistance for Hong Kong online merchants over domestic and cross-border trade. In 2019, there are over 1,000 online merchants using Hong Kong Trustmark to provide a product guarantee to consumers. To further enhance the scheme and provide immediate protection to consumer, HKFEC has formed a strategic partnership with Dowsure Technologies to provide insurance service by well-known insurance companies such as, China Insurance, PICC, CPIC…etc., over Blockchain technology to further protect consumers and sellers from unnecessary loss or damage occurred in every online transaction. Read More…