Your rights>... as a consumer - United Kingdom
- Advertising Standards Authority
- Advice on avoiding scams and information on ways you can counter the plague that is unsolicited junk email (spam). From the independent body that monitors advertising standards in the UK.
- http://www.asa.org.uk/asa [EN]
- Adviceguide
- Tips, information, contact details of useful organisations and guides to download from the Citizens Advice Bureau. This is the page for England; go to the top right-hand corner for information for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
- http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/consumer_affairs.htm [BN][ZH][EN][GU][PA][UR][CY]
- Consumer Credit Counselling Service
- Worried about debt and don't know where to turn? This charity gives advice to people who have financial problems. It also has advice on keeping debt under control - look in the budgeting pages.
- http://www.cccs.co.uk [EN]
- Consumer Education
- Want to get a piercing or a tattoo? Read this advice first. Learn how to compare products and services, such as online banking accounts, and make sure that you get the best deal. Consumer education aims to give you the knowledge to make informed decisions.
- http://www.consumereducation.org.uk [EN][CY]
- Consumer Gateway
- Find out where to turn if your shopping is shoddy, or get tips on how to avoid being conned. Advice from the UK government Department of Trade and Industry. Covers topics such as money, food, cars, holidays, shopping and e-shopping, scams and advice on how to complain (British people, take note!).
- http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk [EN]
- Energywatch
- You need to get your gas and electricity connected, but there's a confusing array of service providers. Who's the cheapest? Who gets the most complaints? Consumer information is provided by this energy watchdog. Also has emergency contact details should anything go wrong with your power supply.
- http://www.energywatch.org.uk [EN][CY]
- Equal Opportunities Commission
- Find out about how the sex discrimination laws can help you defend your rights as a consumer. If you feel you've been unfairly treated because of your gender (for instance, been refused entry to a sports event), then consult this guide to the law and find out how you can complain.
- http://www.eoc.org.uk/EOCeng/dynpages/Consumer_Rights.asp [EN][CY]
- Ethical Consumer
- Provides information on the social and environmental records of leading companies. The boycott lists will tell you which companies and products to avoid if you feel strongly about animal welfare or environmental and social issues.
- http://www.ethicalconsumer.org [EN]
- Fairtrade Foundation
- Fairtrade campaigns for a better deal for producers in developing countries. Read up on how it works, and if you want to support it, consult these pages for details of where you can buy fair trade products.
- http://www.fairtrade.org.uk [EN]
- Financial Watchdog
- Get informationon insurance, pensions, investments, mortgages; learn how to compare financial products, find out where to get advice and help, discover what rights you have, and get advice on how to complain if you're unhappy with a product or service.
- http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/ [EN]
- Green Guide Online
- Search for organic, environmentally friendly and ethical businesses and organisations throughout the UK.
- http://www.greenguideonline.com/advanced_search.cfm [EN]
- Greenpeace Shoppers' Guide to Genetically Modified Products
- If you want to avoid genetically modified products, then use this guide from Greenpeace. It lists major products sold in the UK, and tells you whether they are GM free or not.
- http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/Products/GM [EN]
- National Debtline
- Don't let financial problems build up. Get them sorted by contacting this free, confidential and totally independent helpline for advice. There's also online debt advice, including budget sheets and self-help packs. Information applies to England, Wales and Scotland.
- http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk [EN]
- Office of Communications
- Compare the prices of different phone companies and get advice on how to make a complaint if you're unimpressed with the service of your phone company.
- http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumeradvice/ [EN]
- Office of Fair Trading - Consumer information
- Know your rights when buying goods. Includes information about online shopping. Find out where to get help and what you should know before you buy.
- http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/default.htm [EN]
- ReviewCentre
- Comparative reviews on a range of goods and products, posted by consumers throughout the UK. Covers computers, mobile phones, cars, personal care products and just about anything else you can buy.
- http://www.reviewcentre.com [EN]
- Rip Off Tip Off
- A site from the government where you warn people about dodgy traders, email scams, online frauds, bogus home working schemes, loan sharks and unsavoury products.
- http://www.ripofftipoff.net [EN]
- Switch with Which?
- Makes it simpler to compare products and services and change to a supplier that suits your needs. Has information on bank accounts, holiday firms, mobile phone companies and energy suppliers.
- http://www.switchwithwhich.co.uk [EN]
- Trading Standards Central
- Free advice leaflets on problems with goods and services, shopping on the Internet, hiring goods, and what to do if you're in a dispute. The guides cover information for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
- http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/consumers/consumers.cfm [EN]
- Watchdog
- The Watchdog site from the BBC provides information on all sorts of areas in which you might need help, from guides to what you should know before buying or signing up for anything (for instance, a lease for a flat) to what to do if things go wrong. Includes legal jargon buster.
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog [EN]
- Young Consumers Website
- From the Trading Standards Council. Information on how you can take part in its consumer competitions for young people. Topics you could cover include consumer rights and responsibilities, money and finance, food and health, safety and the environment.
- http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/yconsumers [EN]
- England: National Consumer Council
- Campaigns for equal access to good quality products and services. Information for England is available here.
- http://www.ncc.org.uk [EN]
- Northern Ireland: Consumerline
- If you need specific help on consumer matters, then contact the helpline or browse the information on this site. Advice on debt problems, how to complain, consumer law and more.
- http://www.consumerline.org [EN]
- Northern Ireland: General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland
- Provides information to help you make sure you get the best service and quality goods. Includes advice on food, education, transport and energy.
- http://www.gccni.org.uk [EN]
- Northern Ireland: Trading Standards Service for Northern Ireland
- Go to the information for consumers (on the left-hand side bar) for advice leaflets, sample letters and online complaint forms that you can use if you want to complain to a trader.
- http://www.tssni.gov.uk [EN]
- Scotland: Scottish Consumer Council
- Campaigns to make the voices of all consumers heard. Find information on consumer issues and look up the links page for contacts that can help you if you have a complaint or need advice.
- http://www.scotconsumer.org.uk/index.htm [EN]
- Wales: Welsh Consumer Council
- Join online discussions, take part in surveys, or find your nearest citizens advice bureau or community health council. The consumer information page is currently under development.
- http://www.wales-consumer.org.uk [EN][CY]
Last update: 18/04/2012 @ 09:49:41
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