Consumeradvice

Consumer Protection

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 …

Online Scams – Spot the Fraud, Avoid the Cost Read More »

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 …

Crypto Scammers: Avoiding the Investment Catfish Read More »

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 …

Romance Scams: Avoiding the Catfish and Protecting Ourselves Read More »

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 …

Flybe Enter Administration – Your Consumer Rights and Claiming a Refund Read More »

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 …

Staying Warm, Staying Safe, Staying Ahead – Energy23 Campaign Read More »

Festive Sales & Purchases: Returns & Refund Rights

With many products and services being more expensive than in previous years, it’s important to ensure that things we buy meet the required standards and we are getting what we paid for. But what happens if they don’t? How can we ensure our consumer rights are being upheld and we are making the most of …

Festive Sales & Purchases: Returns & Refund Rights Read More »

Prepayment Meters this Christmas: Staying On Supply & Getting the Support You Need

With many energy suppliers and sources of support closed over the Christmas and New Year periods, it’s important that we get our ducks in a row early enough to make sure that we don’t go off supply. With approximately 300,000 prepayment customers in Scotland, it is important for us to understand how this type of …

Prepayment Meters this Christmas: Staying On Supply & Getting the Support You Need Read More »

I have been waiting on the delivery of gifts for my family that I ordered online. This has been going on for some time, and I am starting to wonder if I can just cancel them to buy elsewhere in case they don’t come in time for Christmas. Can you help?

There are various things that could be causing the delays, but your statutory rights are the same, regardless of the reason(s) for delay supplied by the retailer. If an online retailer has advised that you should have received items within a particular timeframe, then you should have received them within this period. This year, it …

I have been waiting on the delivery of gifts for my family that I ordered online. This has been going on for some time, and I am starting to wonder if I can just cancel them to buy elsewhere in case they don’t come in time for Christmas. Can you help? Read More »

Christmas Shopping Online: Avoiding Payment Pitfalls and Knowing Our Rights

The way we interact with retailers and other traders has changed considerably over the course of the last few years. With many of us turning to online shopping out of necessity during the pandemic, and continuing to do so now, many high street retailers have reduced the number of physical stores they have as a …

Christmas Shopping Online: Avoiding Payment Pitfalls and Knowing Our Rights Read More »