Broadband provider BT has launched a major campaign calling for Ofcom to take action over the issue of mis-selling.

The company has united with the Trading Standards Institute to help the one in 40 households that fall victim to such scams – which include being switched between providers without their knowledge - every year.

It is hoped that a new system would prevent customers from experiencing such issues and also give them advice on how to protect themselves.

John Petter, managing director of BT's consumer arm, said: "It's criminal that this has been going on at this level for more than five years.

"I can't think of any other industry where this would be considered acceptable. It really is time that this was stamped out."

News of the campaign has come after BT's Wholesale division announced plans to expand the availability of its copper-based next generation broadband across the UK.