The following links are to websites that may help if you need advice or have a problem you wish to report:
Your Guide to Beating the Scammers
A scam is a scheme designed to con you out of your cash. There's a scam out there for everyone. If you let down your guard and think that you won't be fooled, then you too could become a victim.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/publications/consumer_advice/scams/oft831
Consumer Complaints
Make a consumer complaint to your local Trading Standards Service concerning any consumer problem you feel should be investigated or if you need advice
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/making-complaint/
Consumer Direct
Clear, practical consumer advice relating to goods and services complaints.
Tel: 08454 04 05 06 (check with BT for rates)
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Gas Safe Register (SAFE)
By law, all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register to do any gas work. This replaced the Corgi Gas Registration Scheme in 2009.
http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/about/gas_safe_register_engineers.aspx
DEFRA
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/
HM Revenue & Customs
HMRC is responsible for collecting the bulk of tax revenue, as well as paying Tax Credits and Child Benefits, and strengthening the UK's frontiers.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk
Money Made Clear
Impartial information from the FSA the UK's financial watchdog.
www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/loans
Money Saving Guide, Tips and Advice
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation (NICEIC)
Runs a complaints procedure against approved electricians and offers a guide to your fuse box.
http://www.niceic.com/
OFCOM Consumer Advice
A range of information about telecoms services.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk
Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) estimates that trading standards officials are now processing over a million complaints per annum. Evaluating the number of unreported incidents of dissatisfaction is however almost impossible. The OFT believes that there could be as many as
85 million cheated customers who decide to remain silent about the problems they have encountered.
www.oft.gov.uk/default.htm
OurSource
A specialist, FREE to use and comprehensive one-stop-shop and monthly e-zine which is much more than just another website. Hotels for sale, business advice, marketing information, jobs search, specialist suppliers, recycling and forum.
www.oursource.co.uk
Rip-off Tip-off
Offers information on traders who you think are ripping off the UK public
www.ripofftipoff.net
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
RIBA has a directory of architects and runs a conciliation service
http://www.architecture.com/
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Offers information on its chartered and technical surveyors and the complaints procedure
www.rics.org
The Citizens Advice Bureau Service
Offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
The Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive and local government are the enforcing authorities
who work in support of the Commission.
HSE Infoline 0845 345 0055
Infoline provides access to workplace health and safety information, guidance and
expert advice. 8:30 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday
http://www.hse.gov.uk
Trading Standards
One stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK
www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
Watchdog homepage
Know your consumer rights. Complaints archive, expert advice, consumer guides, quiz and
web guide
www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/watchdog