Organisation & address

Type of complaint

Trading Standards

www.tradingstandards.gov.uk .

Breaches of the law controlling the supply of goods and services – consumer complaints.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Email: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Free, confidential and impartial advice on many subjects including consumer rights

Consumer Direct

Email:  www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

Tel:      08454 04 05 06

A telephone and online information service for consumers in Great Britain, supported by the Office of Fair Trading

Office of Fair Trading

Email: www.oft.gov.uk

Complaints about unfair trading practices, misleading advertising, breaches of the Consumer Credit provisions and unfair competition.

Serious Fraud Office

www.sfo.gov.uk

Criminal investigations into large and complex frauds, usually where losses exceed £1 million

Companies House

Email: www.companieshouse.gov.uk

Only has a limited investigation capacity, usually regarding defaults in filing documents

Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS)

Email: www.bis.gov.uk

BIS is responsible for the policy and the law relating to consumers, companies and competition.  They investigate and prosecute criminal matters such as breaches of the Companies Acts.

Advertising Standards Authority

Email: www.asa.org.uk

Complaints about advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK. It does not have an investigative function but refers such cases to the Office of Fair Trading

The Charity Commission

www.charity-commission.gov.uk

Can investigate and if necessary intervene in the affairs of a charity

Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator

Email: www.oscr.org.uk

Similar to the Charity Commission but in relation to Scottish companies

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Northern Ireland)

Email: www.detini.gov.uk

Complaints against companies based in Northern Ireland