Particular issues

Protecting personal information

When you join a library or a sports club, when you book a hotel room, a train or plane ticket, you may be asked for some of your personal information. Can a trader request this information about you? Can an organisation give out your personal information? In the UK, the sort of information that is gathered about a person and how it is used is governed by the Data Protection Act 1988. Read more

Consumer fraud

A salesman shows you a new TV in his shop. You try it out in the store and find it very effective. You order one of these items and pay for it. When the equipment is delivered to you, it is not the same as the TV you saw and tried in the store. You return to the shop but it has closed down and the salesman has disappeared without a trace. These types of scams are quite uncommon, but what can you do to make sure you are not a vicitim of such a (...) Read more

Labelling

Labelling of goods is important as it provides the consumer with the necessary information they need to make responsible choices, and to provide relevant safety information. Labelling usually indicates the pack quantity/size, the composition and the product characteristics (including information concerning safety, etc). The information provided varies from one product to another. Labelling also helps consumers need to easily compare similar products if fair trade is to (...) Read more

Ethical labelling

Ethical labels help to give information to consumers that want to be pay attention to the environmental characteristics of goods and services as well as their quality. Ethical labelling approval systems are voluntary, however if certain symbols or logos are used on a product, then that product must comply with the criteria laid down by the organisation that grants its use. If certain rules regarding ethical labelling are ignored the manufacturer could be (...) Read more

Lotteries and competitions

Most consumer have entered a competition to try and win a car or a holiday. We are also used to seeing slogans such as “simply answer 3 questions to win a car”. This section of the website looks at the rules govering lotteries and other competitions. Unfortunately, a number of competitions that consumers are told they have won are simply scams, so this section also gives advice on spotting scam competitions. Read more

Timeshare

A number of people have invested in a timeshare so that they can make use of an apartment in a holiday complex, including swimming pool, sauna, restaurant etc, on the Spanish coast. For some people, a timeshare can be a dream come true, but for others it can cause a number of problems or issues. This section of the website looks specifically at the issues related to timeshare. Read more

Counterfeiting

You buy, at a ridiculously low price, a branded item of clothing, a designer bag, a superb watch or a famous perfume. You think that you have got a fabulous bargain. What can appear to be a bargain at first sight could actually turn out to be counterfeit goods, which will not work properly, break easily or even cause damage to your health. Read more