Sources of Information

The websites listed below provide information and/or advice that consumers may find useful. Sites are listed alphabetically by name and can be found by clicking one of the letters below.

Aberdeenshire Advice Services

Aberdeenshire Advice Services gives consumer advice to consumers in the Aberdeenshire area.

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
The ASA is the independent, self-regulatory body for non-broadcast advertisements in the UK. The website has information on what to do if you feel you have been misled or offended by an advertisement.

Adviceguide
Developed by Citizens Advice, the site provides information and advice on a wide range of consumer topics, specific to all four UK countries.

Age Concern
The website includes many useful factsheets which cover a broad range of subjects, including consumer advice.

Air Transport Users Council (ATUC)
ATUC is the consumer watchdog for the airline industry.  Its website has information on airline passenger rights and how to complain if you're not happy with the service you have received.

Air Travel Organiser's Licences (ATOL)
ATOL is a protection scheme for flights and air holidays, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority.  The consumer information section of the website offers advice for travellers.

Architects Registration Board (ARB)
The ARB is the independent regulator for the architects' profession in the United Kingdom and deals with complaints about architects.

Ask CEDRIC
A consumer education resources website.

Association of British Insurers (ABI)
The ABI consumer information website provides a range of information sheets.

Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
ABTA offer an arbitration service and may be able to help if you have an unresolved dispute with one of their members.

Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO)
AITO represents around 160 of Britain's best specialist tour operators.  It also offers an independent (but not free) dispute settlement service.

Automobile Association (AA)
The AA offers a range of services to motorists including car buying guides, breakdown cover insurance and travel news.

Banking Code Standards Board
Information on the code including members' obligations to customers.

Boat Safety Scheme
The BSS site provides information on safety inspections for craft using inland waterways, the safe use of fuels and power systems, and boating safety.

British Egg Information Service (BEIS)
Nutritional and food safety information.

British Fire Service
Advice and guidance on fire safety in the home.

British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
The Association offers a conciliation service for those who are unable to settle a dispute with a rental agency.

Builder's Quality mark scheme
The Quality Mark is a government backed scheme designed to help the private householder find a reputable builder to carry out repairs and improvements to their home.

Callcredit

Request a copy of your credit file.

Card Watch
Information on payment card fraud and its prevention.

Charity Commission
Details of registered charities in England and Wales.

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Includes details of over 70 Consumer Dispute Resolution Procedures, mainly arbitration schemes, for a wide variety of bodies.

Churners
An independent website providing details of the best deals offered by utilities suppliers.

Citizens Advice  
is an operating name for The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB).  

The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their consumer issues whether, legal, monetary and many other problems by providing information and advice, and by influencing policymakers.

Companies House
Consumers are able to access a range of information (e.g. financial) on companies that they may be dealing with or experiencing problems with.

Comparable Performance Indicators (CPI)    

The CPI website helps customers to decide which fixed line telephone company best meets their needs.

Consumer Complaints
This is a free national online service for consumers to take complaints or request advice from their local Trading Standards Department.

Consumer Credit Counselling Service
Free and confidential advice on dealing with debt in England and Wales.

Consumer Credit Counselling Service Scottish Debtline
Free and confidential advice on dealing with debt in Scotland.

Consumer Education
A Welsh Consumer Council site which includes advice about how to complain - English and Welsh language site.

Consumer Support Network
A site for those responsible for providing or funding consumer advice services

Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML)
The CLM is the trade association for mortgage lenders in the UK.  The website has information on topics such as buying a home, mortgages and the Mortgage Code.

Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland)
The Planning Service is responsible for planning control in Northern Ireland and has guidance for householders on the website.

Department of Health (DH)
Health advice for travellers is available on the website.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
The DTI's Consumer and Competition Policy Directorate takes the lead within the Government on consumer policy and helps formulate new consumer legislation in the UK.

Department for Transport
Information on a number of transport issues including road and rail safety

Directgov
The UK Government online portal provides access to central and local Government websites.

Direct Marketing Association (DMA)

The DMA site will provide you with information and tips about shopping, parental and environmental issues. 

Direct Selling Association (DSA)

The DSA provides a code of practice for its members which requires them to treat consumers fairly.

Disability Conciliation Service
Details of the independent conciliation service provided for disabled people and goods and service providers.

Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)

DFL provides free information booklets on a wide range of topics that affect disabled people.

Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)
The DWI regulates public water supplies in England and Wales.  It also investigates complaints from consumers about drinking water quality.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Includes information on importing cars in the UK from abroad.

Econsumer.gov
The website enables consumers to register cross-border e-commerce complaints.

E-Mail Preference Service
Run by the Direct Marketing Association and has advice if you do not want your personal details to be used for direct marketing.

The Energy Shop

TheEnergyShop is a free, independent and totally impartial service that aims to bring you the best deals on your gas and electricity supplies.

Energywatch
Advice and information for gas and electricity consumers.  You can contact Energywatch if you have been unable to resolve a complaint with a gas or electricity company.

Equifax

Request a copy of your credit file online.

Euroconsumer
Advice for consumers in the European Union, run by Citizens Advice.

Euro Information website 
Details on the Euro and the 'Euro zone' countries.

European Central Bank
Includes pictures of the Euro notes and coins as well as information on the current exchange rate between sterling and the Euro.

European Commission
Includes detailed information on the Euro.

Experian

Request a copy of your credit file online.

Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
The FOS provides consumers with a free independent service for resolving disputes with financial firms.

Financial Services Authority (FSA)
Information and advice on financial products and services.

Foodlink
Information on food safety and the common causes of food poisoning.

Food for our Future
Information for consumers on genetic modification (GM) of food.

Food Standards Agency (FSA)
The FSA is an independent food safety watchdog.  The website has advice and information on food safety, nutrition and diet.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Information for British travellers planning to go abroad.

General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland
Advice and information for Northern Ireland consumers.

The Green Consumer Guide
The guide provides advice on products and services which have an environmental benefit to consumers from the business, domestic and government sectors.

HM Customs and Excise
Information on what travellers can legally bring into the country and on the payment of Duty and VAT on items imported into the UK.

Home Safety Network
Resource and publicity materials on home safety produced by DTI and others.

howtocomplain.com
A commercial site that allows consumers to register complaints online about a wide range of business and other organisations.

Information Commissioner
In the UK the Commissioner is responsible for the Data Protection & Freedom of Information Acts.  The Commissioner's website has information on the promotion of good information handling codes of practice for anyone who processes personal data, and information on the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, which include a ban on the sending of unsolicited e mail or spam.

Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS)
ICSTIS regulates the content and promotion of premium rate telephone services.  The website has advice on what you should do if you have a complaint about a premium rate service.

Individual Insolvency Register (IIR)
Contains details of bankruptcies, individual voluntary arrangements, bankruptcy restrictions orders and undertakings.

Internet Watch Foundation
Advice if you have concerns about your children seeing unsuitable material on the internet.

Insolvency Service
Advice on what you should do if you are owed money by a company that is in liquidation.

Institute of Food Science and Technology
Information on a number of food topics including nutrition, food safety and additives and packages.

Institute of Plumbing
Guidance on finding a registered plumber and a useful tips section. 

Intellectual Property portal
Information on how to avoid buying fake goods.

Just Ask!
The website of the Community Legal Service provides legal help and information in England and Wales.

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Legal Services Ombudsman
Independently oversees the handling of complaints against solicitors, barristers, licensed conveyancers, legal executives and patent agents by their professional bodies.

Local Authority Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS)
Includes information on food and trading standards laws.

Lost Luggage - advice from the Air Transport Users Council on what to do if your luggage goes astray.

Mail Order Protection Schemes (MOPS)
Details of the protection MOPS offers some, but not all, mail order customers.

Mind, Body & Soul
The website is aimed at young people and has information on a number of health issues including safety.

The Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS)
Provides practical advice on driving, vehicle adaptations and suitable vehicle types for disabled and elderly people.

The Mortgage Code Compliance Board (MCCB)
Includes details of the Mortgage Code which provides valuable safeguards for customers, helping them understand how lenders and brokers are expected to deal with them.

Motor Insurance 365
Provides consumers with unbiased information about motor insurance.  

National Assembly for Wales
Details of planning regulations that apply in Wales.

National Children's Homes
Useful guidance on internet safety for children.

National Consumer Council (NCC)
The NCC is an independent body set up to promote and safeguard the interest of consumers.

National Debtline
Useful factsheets and information packs on dealing with debt. 

National Consumer Federation (NCF)
The NCF identify and promote the interests of consumers.

Net Consumers
Information on child safety on the internet and cross-border shopping advice.

Office of Communications (Ofcom)
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) Information on a number of topics including safety in the home and planning advice for householders.

Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
OFT plays a key role in protecting the economic welfare of consumers.  The website provides a range of advice and information for consumers.

Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)
Ofgem is the watchdog set up to regulate and promote effective competition in the gas and electricity industries, as well as to protect the interests of consumers.  The website provides advice and links to companies providing price comparison services.

Office for the Regulation of Electricity and Gas (Northern Ireland)
Oreg regulates the gas and electricity industries in Northern Ireland.  Its website includes information for consumers.

Office of Telecommunications Ombudsman (Otelo) Otelo is an independent body set up to resolve complaints by customers against member telecommunication companies.

Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE)
Information on timeshares.

Office of Water Services (Ofwat)
Ofwat is responsible for making sure that the water and sewerage companies in England and Wales give consumers good quality, efficient service at a fair price.

Postwatch
The independent regulator for the Royal Mail.

Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF)
The RMIF has a national conciliation service which can help you if you have an unresolved dispute with one of their member garages.

Refunds.org.uk

Provides consumer advice on obtaining a refund.

Ricability
Provides independent information to disabled and elderly consumers.

Ripofftipoff
The website is for consumers to report rogue traders.

RAC
Information and advice for motorists.

Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR)
Contains disability-related driving information, including details of the Blue Badge scheme and where you might be able to get help with the cost of buying your car.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
Home safety section looks at accident prevention in the home.

Royal Town Planning Institute
Information on free and independent planning advice available to community groups and individuals.

Rail Passengers Council and Committees (RPCs)
The RPCs investigate passenger complaints that the rail industry has been unable to satisfactorily resolve.  Includes details of how to contact your local Rail Passengers Committee.

Scottish Executive
Guidance on planning and building standards.

Strategic Rail Authority
The SRA's key role is to promote and develop the rail network and encourage integration.  The SRA also has responsibility for consumer protection and details can be found on the website.

Scottish Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaux
(known as Citizens' Advice Scotland (CAS))
Advice on consumer and other issues.

Scottish Consumer Council (SCC)
The SCC promotes the interests of consumers, particularly those who experience disadvantage in society.

SwitchwithWhich?
A site created by Which? to help consumers find the best current account. It has independent switching advice.

The Timeshare Consumers Association
Information and advice on owning, buying and selling timeshares.

The Trade Association Forum
Includes contact details for most associations.

Trading Standards Institute
The Institute is the professional body of Trading Standards Officers in the UK.  The website has information and advise on legislation relating to consumer protection.

Trading Standards Net
Tradingstandards.net is a private advice resource, providing advice and information related to trading standards and consumer protection.

Trust UK
Trust UK approves codes of conduct for e-commerce which meet minimum standards and offers consumers protection.

UK fireworks safety
Information on how to use fireworks safely.

UK funerals online
An independent website providing information on organising funerals

UK Passport Agency (UKPS)
Information and online facilities for all aspects of application, renewal and amendments of passports for British nationals resident in the UK.

Vacation Owners Independent Coalition in Europe (VOICE)
A non-profit making organisation formed by OTE and TATOC to provide help, advice and information for timeshare consumers.

Watchdog
The BBC's consumer affairs programme.

WaterVoice
Represents the interests of water customers and deals with consumer complaints against water suppliers.

Welsh Consumer Council (WCC)
The national consumer body for Wales, works to represent the interests of domestic buyers and users of goods and services in Wales.

Which?magazine
Which? magazine gives independent, unbiased advice to find the best products and services. 

Which? - Consumer's Association Campaigns

Information about campaigns on key issues for comsumers.

World Health Organisation (WHO)
Information on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Last updated: 25 June 2004