Consumer advice

If you are looking for help as a consumer, contact Consumer Direct, the telephone and online advice service operated by the OFT. It provides clear, practical, advice on a wide range of consumer issues. The advice given is free and you can call as many times as you need to.

Call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the Consumer Direct website.

The OFT website also gives information on:

• how to avoid scams
• how to find trustworthy businesses to deal with.

Consumer Direct service
Telephone calls are charged for via the 0845 number, which will cost no more than 4p per minute for BT customers (other networks vary).

The service operates from 08.00 - 18.30 Monday to Friday and from 09.00 - 13.00 on Saturday, excluding bank holidays.

A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05 and a minicom service on 08451 28 13 84.

Advisers are trained in all aspects of  consumer rights and help people to take the best course of action when they have a consumer problem by giving legally correct advice. We do not intervene in consumer matters, such as taking action against a trader, and Consumer Direct isn't a legal service