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Useful links index 1. Helplines 2. Benefits 3. Advice Networks 4. Ombudsmen & Regulatory Bodies 5. Trade Associations 6. Credit Reference Agencies 7. National Debtline weblinks policy Weblinks policy Feel free to contact us to suggest a website link but take a look at our weblink policy first.

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 Concern
Information and advice on issues affecting older people
Tel: 0800 00 99 66
www.ageconcern.org.uk

Age Concern MoneyTrail
Free interactive guide for working people to planning ahead for retirement
www.ageconcern.org.uk/moneytrail

Childline
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

Cruse
Day by Day helpline
Tel: 0844 477 9400
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

Dial UK
Tel: 01302 310 123
www.dialuk.info

Drinkline
Tel: 0800 917 8282

Gamblers Anonymous
Tel: 020 7384 3040
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Gamcare
Advice on gambling issues
Tel: 0845 600 0133
www.gamcare.org.uk

Gingerbread
Tel: 0800 018 5026
www.gingerbread.org.uk

Help the Aged
Tel: 0808 800 6565 Seniorline
www.helptheaged.org.uk

Lone Parent Helpline
For advice on maintenance, benefits and money
Tel 0808 801 0323
www.loneparenthelpline.info

Mind
Information and support on mental health problems
Tel 0845 7660 163
www.mind.org.uk

National Domestic Violence Helpline
For domestic violence
Tel: 0808 2000 247
www.refuge.org.uk

One Parent Families Scotland
Tel: 0808 801 0323
www.opfs.org.uk

Relate
Tel: 0845 1 30 40 16
www.relate.org.uk

Samaritans
Tel: 0845 790 9090
www.samaritans.org

Saneline
Tel: 0845 767 8000
www.sane.org.uk

Shelter Scotland
Helpline: 0808 800 4444
www.shelter.org.uk

TaxAid
Tel: 0845 120 3779
www.taxaid.org.uk

TV Licensing
Tel: 0844 800 6732 (general enquiries)
Cash Easy Entry Scheme 08457 289 289
www.tvlicensing.co.uk

Women's Aid
Tel: 0800 027 1234
www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk

Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000

BENEFITS

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
Helpline 0845 302 1470
www.childtrustfund.gov.uk

Pension Credit Claim Line
Tel: 0800 99 1234
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pensioncredit/

Disability Benefits Enquiry Line
Tel: 0800 88 2200
www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/index.htm

New Deal
Tel: 0800 606 2626
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

New Deal for Lone Parents
Tel: 0800 868 868
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Tax Credits Helpline
Tel: 0845 300 3900
www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits

Veterans Agency
Veterans Helpline
Tel: 0800 169 2277
www.veterans-uk.info

Winter Fuel Payments Helpline
Tel: 0845 915 1515
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel/

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
Tel: 020 7407 4070
www.adviceuk.org.uk

Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative ways of solving disputes to court action.
Tel: 020 7407 4070
www.adrnow.org.uk

Citizens Advice Scotland
www.cas.org.uk
www.adviceguide.org.uk

Communities Scotland
Tel: 0131 313 0044
www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk

Consumer Direct
Helpline for consumer problems
Tel: 0845 404 0506
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)
Information about the new Debt Arrangement Scheme
Tel: 0845 612 6425
www.moneyscotland.gov.uk

IFA Promotions
for a list of independent financial advisers
Tel: 0800 0853 250
www.unbiased.co.uk

Law Society of Scotland
Tel: 0131 226 7411
Client relations office helpline: 0845 113 0018
www.lawscot.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

Scottish Association of Law Centres
www.govanlc.com/salc

Scottish Consumer Council
Tel: 0141 226 5261
www.scotconsumer.org.uk

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
Tel: 0141 332 8113
www.sfha.co.uk

Telephone Helplines Association
Provides information on helplines
Tel: 0845 120 3767
www.helplines.org.uk

Which?
Tel: 01992 822 800
www.which.co.uk

Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000

OMBUDSMEN & REGULATORY BODIES

British & Irish Ombudsman Association
Lists ombudsmen and complaint handling bodies
Tel/fax: 020 8894 9272
www.bioa.org.uk

Energy Supply Ombudsman
(For complaints on billing and supply transfer issues)
Tel:  0845 055 0760
www.energy-ombudsman.org.uk

Energy Watch (OFGEM)
Tel: 0845 906 0708
www.energywatch.org.uk

Financial Ombudsman Service
Tel: 0845 080 1800
www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Financial Services Authority
Consumer Helpline
Tel: 0845 606 1234
www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk

Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Tel: 020 7892 7300
www.fscs.org.uk

Office of Fair Trading
Tel: 0845 722 4499
www.oft.gov.uk

Office of Communications (OFCOM)
Tel: 0845 456 3000
www.ofcom.org.uk

Office of Telecommunications Ombudsman Service (OTELO)
Tel: 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 Equality and Human Rights Commission
Helpline 0845 604 6610
Disability helpline 08457 622 633
www.equalityhumanrights.com

The Information Commissioner’s Office
For data protection issues
Tel: 08456 30 60 60
www.ico.gov.uk

Waterwatch Scotland
for complaints about Scottish Water
Tel: 0845 850 3344
www.waterwatchscotland.org

Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

Association of Civil Enforcement Agencies
Tel: 01924 350 090
www.acea.org.uk

British Bankers Association
General enquiries 020 7216 8800
Contact via website
www. bba.org.uk

Building Societies Association
Tel: 020 7437 0655
www.bsa.org.uk

Consumer Credit Association UK
Tel: 01244 312 044
www.ccauk.org

Consumer Credit Trade Association
Tel: 0845 257 1166
www.ccta.co.uk

Council of Mortgage Lenders
Tel: 0845 373 6771
www.cml.org.uk

Credit Services Association
Tel: 0191 286 5656
www.csa-uk.com

Direct Selling Association
Tel: 020 7497 1234
www.dsa.org.uk

Enforcement Services Association
Tel: 0117 907 4771
www.ensas.org.uk

Finance & Leasing Association
Tel: 020 7836 6511
www.fla.org.uk

Mail Order Traders' Association
Tel: 020 7735 3410
www.mota.org.uk

Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000

CREDIT REFERENCE AGENCIES

Equifax
Tel: 0870 010 0583
www.equifax.co.uk

Experian
Tel: 0870 241 6212
www.experian.co.uk

Callcredit
Tel: 0870 060 1414
www.callcredit.co.uk

Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000