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Useful Links
Home 
Useful Links
Useful Links
Links to organisations that provide consumer information and advice:
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The DTI's Consumer Gateway - This Gateway has links to a variety of web sites that will provide the answers to various consumer problems and much more.
This web site enables the public to tackle their consumer problems as well as helping them to make informed decisions before buying goods and services.
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Trading Standards Central - This is a one stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK. The web site is supported and maintained by TSI, the Trading Standards Institute.
This site provides a wealth of information for consumers and businesses, schools, advice and information centres, community organisations, local councils, business support agencies and trade associations.
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The Office of Fair Trading - This web site has been designed for two purposes:
- to protect consumers and explain their rights
- to ensure that businesses compete and operate fairly.
You can find essential information for businesses on how to comply with legislation enforced by the OFT, check advice on consumer issues, follow the progress of investigations and action taken, or simply download leaflets and reports.
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Consumer Complaints - This web site is a free online service, which allows you to make a consumer complaint to your local Trading Standards Service concerning any consumer problem you feel should be investigated or where you need advice.
By using this service you will receive free professional assistance with your problem. You will also be protecting other consumers and helping to improve standards of trade.
You can use their secure online form to make a complaint, or request advice about your consumer problem.
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AdviceGuide - The Adviceguide website is the main public information service of the Citizens Advice Service, providing people with round-the-clock access to CAB information on their rights - including consumer, benefits, housing, employment, debt, and legal issues.
The site aims to empower people by providing them with the information they need to solve their own problems and to signpost them to appropriate advice when necessary. Adviceguide helps you to have a better understanding of your rights and entitlements, and also to take the first steps in resolving your problems.
Where appropriate, you are clearly directed to additional sources of expert advice, so you can find further help on questions. There is also a link to a directory of CAB services across the UK to help you to find details of your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau. -
North Lanarkshire council's Trading Standards - Trading Standards exercise the Council's statutory duties in relation to all consumer protection legislation. The aim of the service is to enhance the economic welfare of North Lanarkshire by improving and maintaining standards of fair-trading in terms of quality, quantity, safety and price throughout the area.
To achieve this, the council encourages honesty by monitoring the market place, taking action to control trading malpractice, and encouraging business to adopt best practice. The aim is to ensure that all persons who live or work in North Lanarkshire have confidence in commercial transactions conducted in the area.
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Financial Services Authority - This body protects consumers by regulating the financial services industry. It does this by:
- requiring firms and advisers to be honest, financially sound and competent
- taking action against firms that are operating illegally
- making sure there is a proper system for dealing with your complaints
- making sure there is a compensation safety net if a financial firm goes bust.
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Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) - The ASA is the independent, self-regulatory body for non-broadcast advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK. The ASA administers the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (The CAP Code) to ensure that advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful.
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The Scottish Consumer Council (SCC) - The purpose of the SCC is to make all consumers matter.
This is achieved by putting forward the consumer interest, particularly that of disadvantaged groups in society, and by working with those people who can make a difference to achieve beneficial change.
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The National CSN web site - This web site is aimed at advice providers and other organisations who are involved in setting up and running Consumer Support Networks.
