Help with the Cost of Living

Consumer advice and scams

Consumer Advice

When buying goods and services, you're protected by The Consumer Rights Act 2015 which provides protection to consumers including faulty goods, poor service and problems with contracts. This means you can get help for these things if anything goes wrong.

Borrowing money

Most people will need to borrow money at some stage to tide them over in an emergency, to buy larger items or to fund a special event. Borrowing money can also be called credit. Before you borrow money, it's important to make sure you will be able to keep up the repayments, otherwise you could be taken to court and might even lose your home or other valuable possessions.

Equity release

Equity release refers to a range of products letting you access the equity (cash) tied up in your home if you are older. You can take the money you release as a lump sum or, in several smaller amounts or as a combination of both.

Scams

Every day, scamsters and fraudsters are coming up with new and inventive ways to obtain money They may contact you online, by phone, post or in person so they can obtain your personal details to get money from you or steal your details so they can pretend to be you. If you think you are a victim of a scam or for more information.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Consumeradvice.scot

Money Helper

Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit

If you have borrowed money from a loan shark and are feeling trapped, out of control or threatened, don’t worry. You are not in trouble if you have borrowed cash or have been paying back a loan from an illegal money lender, they are the one committing a crime, not you. Take the first step to getting your life back and managing your money and debts by :

 

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