Consumeradvice

Consumer Protection

I have been going round in circles trying to sort out my energy bills with my supplier. I made a complaint to them about three months ago in relation to a mix up with my meter and bills but can’t get through to speak to them now. Can you help?

It is important that we follow the individual process for complaining to our energy supplier if we have to do so. It is always best to ensure we do this in writing, either by email or letter to them, so that we have evidence of our communication. The process can usually be found on the …

I have been going round in circles trying to sort out my energy bills with my supplier. I made a complaint to them about three months ago in relation to a mix up with my meter and bills but can’t get through to speak to them now. Can you help? Read More »

I recently purchased gift vouchers for my daughter and I to attend a prosecco lunch in a hotel together, but she couldn’t go on the day we had planned. I just tried to rebook but noticed they have expired a few weeks ago. What can I do?

The course of action you should take in this situation will depend on a few factors. When you purchase gift cards or vouchers for experiences from a trader, you are bound by the terms and conditions that are made or known at the point of purchase. If the expiry date conditions weren’t clear at the …

I recently purchased gift vouchers for my daughter and I to attend a prosecco lunch in a hotel together, but she couldn’t go on the day we had planned. I just tried to rebook but noticed they have expired a few weeks ago. What can I do? Read More »

I have been getting a lot of emails saying that I won prizes – mostly that I am due gift vouchers from supermarkets. These ask me to confirm my personal information by visiting a link so that they can send them to me, but I am not sure. What should I do?

There are an increasing number of emails being sent to consumers, requesting entry to prize draws, or falsely claiming they have won prizes, including gift vouchers or products. It is always best to remember that if it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. Giveaway Signs of a Scam These emails can …

I have been getting a lot of emails saying that I won prizes – mostly that I am due gift vouchers from supermarkets. These ask me to confirm my personal information by visiting a link so that they can send them to me, but I am not sure. What should I do? Read More »

Airth Castle Hotel Limited Liquidation – Consumers Seeking Refunds

Airth Castle Hotel Limited, the company that manages Airth Castle has confirmed that the popular wedding venue has went into liquidation. This will leave consumers with holidays, weddings, and other events booked wondering what they can do to get their money back. The options are different, depending on the cost of the booking and the …

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Online Scams – Spot the Fraud, Avoid the Cost

We’ve all seen social media adverts popping up on our social feeds, offering double glazing discounts and budget boilers in our local area. The spooky part is when they pop up after we’ve just been searching online for home improvement-related things (or even when we’ve been talking about it with someone within earshot of our …

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Crypto Scammers: Avoiding the Investment Catfish

In recent years, phrases like “Bitcoin”, “Cryptocurrency”, and “Etherium” have entered into the conversation through our TVs, on social media channels, and online with increased frequency. For many of us, understanding the workings of cryptocurrency and crypto-assets is taking some getting used to, with new forms of the digital currency entering the mix regularly. What …

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Romance Scams: Avoiding the Catfish and Protecting Ourselves

Romance scams are a form of confidence trick where the scammer shows romantic intentions towards their target, gaining their affection, and using that goodwill to obtain personal information or money under false and fraudulent pretenses. Romance scams are among the more insidious types of scams out there, playing on the emotions of the person being …

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Flybe Enter Administration – Your Consumer Rights and Claiming a Refund

Airline Flybe has announced that they have entered administration. On the 28th of January 2023, the High Court appointed David Pike and Mike Pink as Joint Administrators of Flybe Limited (“Flybe”). This will be a cause for concern for those booked to travel with the airline, both as a standalone purchase, as well as those …

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I’m considering purchasing an electric blanket as a way of keeping warm at home without putting the heating on but struggling to get a reasonably priced one from bigger retailers. I’ve seen cheap copycat ones online but have had problems in the past. What would you recommend?

The cost of energy has increased significantly, and with most of us facing hikes in bills, many are looking at ways of keeping costs down and alternative ways to keep warm in our homes. Many agencies are encouraging people to ‘heat the person’ as opposed to the whole house. This advice appears to work for …

I’m considering purchasing an electric blanket as a way of keeping warm at home without putting the heating on but struggling to get a reasonably priced one from bigger retailers. I’ve seen cheap copycat ones online but have had problems in the past. What would you recommend? Read More »

Staying Warm, Staying Safe, Staying Ahead – Energy23 Campaign

Advice Direct Scotland’s ‘Energy 23’ campaign runs from the 23rd to the 29th of January 2023, encouraging Scottish consumers to stay safe during the remaining winter months. We have joined forces with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to offer guidance to households struggling …

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