Useful Web Links for Consumers
Below are a list of websites that provide advice to consumers.
Buy With Confidence
www.buywithconfidence.info
A Trading Standards-run trader approval scheme, designed to root out cowboys and help local residents find honest traders.
Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
www.defra.gov.uk
This government department is responsible for production of food and all agricultural matters.
Department of Trade and Industry
www.dti.gov.uk
This department has close links with much of the work of trading standards departments. It publishes many leaflets that are of relevance to consumers.
Food Standards Agency
www.foodstandards.gov.uk
The aim of the Food Standards Agency is to increase consumer confidence in the purchasing and consumption of food.
Financial Services Authority
www.fsa.gov.uk
The regulator of the financial industry. A good place to start if your issue involves money, investments or the financial markets.
Health and Safety Executive
www.hse.gov.uk
This government department is responsible for health and safety, particularly at workplaces. They also enforce the Health and Safety Act at Work Act 1984.
Office of Fair Trading
www.oft.gov.uk
The main functions of this Government Department are to oversee competition law, gather information nationwide, and publish information leaflets.
Trading Standards Institute
www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
The primary trading standards website. It contains lots of useful information, including a postcode-based service which allows you to find your local Trading Standards Department.
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
www.vosa.gov.uk
This government department is largely concerned with road safety and the supervision of MOT testing.
Advertising Standards Authority
www.asa.org.uk
The ASA is the independent, self-regulatory body for non-broadcast advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK.
Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL)
www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=27
ATOL – which is short for “Air Travel Organisers' Licensing” – exists to protect the public from losing money or being stranded abroad because of the failure of air travel firms.
BBC Watchdog
www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog
Useful advice from the television program.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
www.nacab.org.uk
This site gives access to the information files that your local CAB would use when offering you advice. Whilst it may not offer any direct help, it may enable you to deal with your difficulties by yourself, before involving a third party.
Companies House
www.companieshouse.gov.uk
All public limited companies and limited companies have to register certain details with this organisation by law. These details then become public information. This site is very useful for obtaining background information before you do business with any company.
CORGI
www.trustcorgi.com
Allows you to check that your gas installer is CORGI registered.
Energywatch
www.energywatch.org.uk
Energywatch is the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog. Contact Energywatch if you need information and advice or want to make a complaint about a gas or electricity company.
Financial Ombudsman Service
www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
This is an independent service provided to consumers who have unresolved disputes about financial firms.
Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS)
www.icstis.org.uk
ICSTIS is the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services. ICSTIS investigate complaints and have the power to fine a company and bar access to its services if the company breaches ICSTIS Codes of Practice.
Office of Communications (OFCOM)
www.ofcom.org.uk
Ofcom is the communications industry regulator with wide-ranging responsibilities across the UK’s communications markets. Their website contains useful information about the communications industry, details on how to make a complaint and how to obtain advice.
Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman
www.otelo.org.uk
If you have a complaint against a public communications provider, OTELO may be able to help. OTELO provide a free and independent service, however they only deal with complaints made against public communications providers that have signed up to become ‘member companies’ of the service.
Office of Water Services
www.ofwat.gov.uk
Ofwat is responsible for making sure that the water and sewerage companies in England and Wales give you a good quality and efficient service at a fair price.
Here you will find information regarding the industry and also useful contact details.
Rip-Off Tip-Off
www.ripofftipoff.net
Allow you to report a scam or a con, which may be passed to Trading Standards.
 |
Listen |  |
Feedback |  |
