Useful Links | Scotland
If you need further help, this section contains contact details for a number of free helplines, advice and consumer organisations, benefit helplines, ombudsmen, regulatory bodies, trade associations and credit reference agencies who may be able to give you more advice and assistance.
HELPLINES
Adfam
National charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol
Tel: 020 7553 7640
www.adfam.org.uk
Age Scotland
Advice about money, benefits and other issues
The Scottish Helpline for Older People
Tel: 0845 125 9732
www.olderpeoplescotland.co.uk
Business Debtline
Debt advice for the self-employed and small businesses
Tel: 0800 197 6026
www.bdl.org.uk
Childline
Confidential support for children
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Cruse
Advice and support for people dealing with death
Day by Day Helpline
Tel: 0845 600 2227
www.crusescotland.org.uk
Dial UK
Advice for people with disabilities
Tel: 01302 310 123
www.dialuk.info
Drinkline
Provides help if you are worried about your drinking habits
Tel: 0800 7314 314
Energy Assistance Package
Scottish Government funded advice, support and grants to help heat your home
Tel: 0800 512 012
www.energyassistancepackage.com
Gamblers Anonymous
Provides advice on how to deal with gambling problems
Tel: 0370 050 88 81
www.gascotland.org
Gamcare
For advice on gambling issues for gamblers and their families
Tel: 0845 600 0133
www.gamcare.org.uk
Mind
A charity and helpline which helps with mental-health problems
Tel 0845 7660 163
www.mind.org.uk
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Support and information for people experiencing domestic violence
Tel: 0808 2000 247
www.refuge.org.uk
National Drugs Helpline
Information and advice about drugs
Tel: 0800 77 66 00
www.talktofrank.com
One Parent Families Scotland
Lone parent helpline, advice and information for one-parent families
Tel: 0808 801 0323
www.opfs.org.uk
Relationships Scotland
Advice and counselling to help with relationship problems
Tel: 0845 119 2020
www.relationships-scotland.org.uk
Samaritans
Confidential emotional support
Tel: 0845 790 9090
www.samaritans.org
Saneline
Support for mental illness
Tel: 0845 767 8000
www.sane.org.uk
Shelter Scotland
Free housing advice helpline
Helpline: 0808 800 4444
www.shelter.org.uk
TaxAid
Free, confidential advice about tax problems
Tel: 0845 120 3779
www.taxaid.org.uk
Turn2us
Provides advice about charitable grants and benefits
Tel: 0808 802 2000
www.turn2us.org.uk
TV Licensing
General enquiries about payment schemes
Tel: 0300 790 6071 (general enquiries)
Payment card scheme 0300 555 0295
www.tvlicensing.co.uk
Women's Aid
Tel: 0800 027 1234
www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk
Back to top Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000
BENEFITS
Carers Direct
Information, advice and support for carers
Tel: 0808 802 0202
www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/Pages/CarersDirectHome.aspx
Child Benefit Enquiry Line
Tel: 0845 302 1444
www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/
Child Support Agency Enquiry Line
Tel: 0845 7133 133
www.csa.gov.uk
Child Trust Fund
A Government savings account for children
Helpline: 0845 302 1470
www.childtrustfund.gov.uk
Pension Credit Claim Line
Tel: 0800 99 1234
www.direct.gov.uk
Disability Benefits Enquiry Line
Tel: 0800 88 2200
www.direct.gov.uk
New Deal and Flexible New Deal
This is a Government scheme to help you into work.
www.direct.gov.uk
Tax Credits Helpline
Tel: 0845 300 3900
www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
Veterans UK Helpline
Help and advice for war veterans
Tel: 0800 169 2277
www.veterans-uk.info
Winter Fuel Payments Helpline
Tel: 0845 915 1515
www.direct.gov.uk
Back to top Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000
ADVICE NETWORKS
Advice finder
Directs you to the best person to talk to about a particular problem and provides information about how to go about resolving a civil (but not a criminal) complaint or legal problem, without the need to go to court
www.infoscotland.com/advice
adviceUK
Network of independent advice agencies
Tel: 020 7469 5700
www.adviceuk.org.uk
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative ways of solving disputes to court action
www.adrnow.org.uk
Association of British Credit Unions
Find your local credit union
Tel: 0161 832 3694
www.abcul.org
Citizens Advice Scotland
Offering independent and confidential advice on issues such as debt, money problems and welfare benefits
www.cas.org.uk
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Consumer Direct
Helpline for consumer and fuel problems
Tel: 0845 404 0506
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Consumer Focus
Statutory organisation campaigning for a fair deal for consumers
Tel: 0141 226 5261
www.consumerfocus.org.uk
Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)
Information about the Debt Arrangement Scheme
Tel: 0845 612 6425
www.moneyscotland.gov.uk
IFA Promotions
for a list of independent financial advisers
www.unbiased.co.uk
Law Society of Scotland
You can search for a solicitor on their website
Tel: 0131 226 7411
www.lawscot.org.uk
Low Incomes Tax Reform Group
Website includes guides for people on low incomes with tax and tax credit problems.
http://www.litrg.org.uk
Money Advice Scotland
Trade association for money advisers. Does not give advice to members of the public
Tel: 0141 572 0237
www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk
Money Saving Expert
Consumer website for best deals and money saving
www.moneysavingexpert.com
Scottish Association of Law Centres
They do not give advice but you can check on their website to see if there is a law centre near you
www.govanlc.com/salc
The Scottish Housing Regulator
Regulates social housing and will help you to find a housing association near you
Tel: 0141 271 3810
www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk
The Helplines Association
Provides on-line directory of helplines
Tel: 0845 120 3767
www.helplines.org.uk
Trading Standards
Information for consumers and local trading-standards offices
Tel: 0845 404 0506
www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
Which?
Campaigns to get a fairer deal for all consumers
Tel: 01992 822 800
www.which.co.uk
Back to top Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000
OMBUDSMEN & REGULATORY BODIES
Accountant in Bankruptcy
Responsible for managing bankruptcies, insolvencies and the Debt Arrangement Scheme
Tel: 0300 200 2777
www.aib.gov.uk
British & Irish Ombudsman Association
Lists ombudsmen and complaint handling bodies
Tel/fax: 020 8894 9272
www.bioa.org.uk
Energy Ombudsman
If you have a dispute with a fuel supplier
Tel: 0330 440 1624 or 01925 530 263
www.energy-ombudsman.org.uk
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Advice and guidance on equality and human rights
Helpline Scotland 0845 604 5510
www.equalityhumanrights.com
Financial Ombudsman Service
For complaints about banks, building societies, loans and credit, hire-purchase, mortgages, insurance, investments, endowment policies and pensions
Tel: 0845 080 1800 or 0300 123 9 123
www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Financial Services Authority
Information and tools on managing money and pensions, mortgages, credit, savings and so on
Moneymadeclear Helpline
Tel: 0300 500 5000
www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
An independent organisation which pays compensation if you have a claim against firms authorised by the FSA
Tel: 020 7892 7300 or 0800 678 1100
www.fscs.org.uk
Office of Fair Trading
An independent organisation which protects your rights as a consumer
Tel: 0845 722 4499
www.oft.gov.uk
Office of Communications (OFCOM)
An independent organisation which regulates phone, television and radio companies
Tel: 020 7981 3040 or 0300 123 3333
www.ofcom.org.uk
Office of Telecommunications Ombudsman Service (OTELO)
For complaints about phone companies which are members of Otelo
Tel: 0330 440 1614 or 01925 430 049 or 0845 050 1614
www.otelo.org.uk
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
For complaints about the Scottish Parliament, local government and the health service
Tel: 0800 377 7330
www.spso.org.uk
The Information Commission
For advice about data protection and freedom of information
For data protection 0303 123 1113
For freedom of information 0131 301 5071
www.ico.gov.uk
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission
Organisation to contact about complaints concerning solicitors
Tel: 0131 528 5111
www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk
Waterwatch Scotland
for complaints about Scottish Water
Tel: 0845 601 8855
www.waterwatchscotland.org
Back to top Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
Association of Civil Enforcement Agencies
Trade association for bailiffs and enforcement agents
Tel: 01924 350 090
www.acea.org.uk
British Bankers Association
Trade association for banking industry
General enquiries 020 7216 8800
Contact via website
www. bba.org.uk
Building Societies Association
Trade association for building societies
Tel: 020 7520 5900
www.bsa.org.uk
Consumer Credit Association UK
Represents the home credit industry
Tel: 01244 312 044
www.ccauk.org
Consumer Credit Trade Association
Represents consumer credit businesses
Tel: 0845 257 1166
www.ccta.co.uk
Council of Mortgage Lenders
Trade association for mortgage lenders
Tel: 0845 373 6771
www.cml.org.uk
Credit Services Association
Debt Buyers and Sellers Group
Trade association for collection agencies and debt sale companies
Tel: 0191 286 5656
www.csa-uk.com
Enforcement Services Association
Represents certificated bailiffs
Tel: 0117 907 4771
www.ensas.org.uk
Finance & Leasing Association
Trade association for consumer credit and motor finance
Tel: 020 7836 6511
www.fla.org.uk
Back to top Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000
CREDIT REFERENCE AGENCIES
Equifax
For a copy of your credit file
www.equifax.co.uk
Experian
For a copy of your credit file
www.experian.co.uk
Callcredit
For a copy of your credit file
Tel: 0870 060 1414
www.callcreditcheck.co.uk
Credit Information and Fraud Avoidance Service (CIFAS)
Fraud prevention information
www.cifas.org.uk
Back to top Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000
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