Financial Services Authority Links
Financial Services Authority (FSA)
Information and advice on financial products and services.
Other parts of the FSA website may be able to offer you useful information.
The World of Mortgages Laid Bare
No selling, just the bare essentials stripped of jargon. Courtesy of the FSA
www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer/07_MORTGAGES/
The FSA regulates most mortgage sales taken out on or after 31 October
2004. This section aims to help you choose the right mortgage.
www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer
The Financial Services Authority is the independent regulator set up by
Government to look after the financial services industry and protect consumers.
Other Financial Links
The
following websites may also be of interest. If you decide to visit
these sites, you will be leaving our website. We are not responsible
for anything you might find once you have left our site.
www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
The FOS provides consumers with a free independent service for resolving disputes with financial firms.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is a safety net for
customers of authorised financial services firms. FSCS can pay
compensation if an authorised firm is unable, or likely to be unable,
to pay claims against it.
Industry Links
The following bodies have websites that generally offer fact sheets and general information about financial products.
Association of British Insurers
The Association of British Insurers is the trade association for the
UK's insurance industry. They represent around 400 companies. Their
members provide all kinds of insurance in Britain and worldwide,
including savings and pensions, life insurance, and motor, household
and health insurance.
Council of Mortgage Lenders
The CML is the trade association for mortgage lenders in the UK, and
its members undertake around 98% of UK residential mortgage lending.
The CML exists to provide a service to mortgage lending institutions by
helping to establish and to maintain a favourable operating environment
in the residential mortgage and related housing markets in the UK.
Mortgage Code Compliance Board
From 31 October 2004 the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is
responsible for regulating the activities of lenders and intermediaries
who will follow new statutory rules published by the FSA in relation to
selling and promoting first mortgages secured on the borrower's home.
The
Mortgage Code will not apply from this date and The Mortgage Code
Compliance Board (MCCB) has therefore ceased its regulatory operations.
Special
note for consumers - The FSA's Rules for mortgage firms include
transitional arrangements for complaints about mortgages sold under the
Mortgage Code, which arise after 31 October 2004. These arrangements
apply to firms that are now FSA authorised for mortgage activities. If
you wish to escalate a complaint that your mortgage firm has not dealt
with to your satisfaction, further information is available from www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
Government Links
Inland Revenue
Office of Fair Trading
Department of Work and Pensions
Stakeholder Pensions
Websites for other Professions
www.rics.org
RICS can offer a helping hand As the world's largest professional body
for chartered surveyors, RICS offers clear, impartial, expert advice on
property issues.
www.lawsociety.org.uk
The Law Society is the regulatory and representative body for solicitors in England and Wales.
www.solicitors-online.com
Searchable database of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales.
Search by name, law firm, organisation, practice area and geographical
location.
British Bankers Association
The British Bankers' Association (BBA) is the leading trade association
in the banking and financial services industry representing banks and
other financial services firms operating in the UK. It has 250 members,
as well as many associate members, which fund its not-for-profit
activities.
Building Societies Association
The Building Societies Association is the trade association for the
UK's building societies. There are 63 building societies in the UK with
total assets of over £230 billion. About 15 million adults have
building society saving accounts and over two and a half million adults
are currently buying their own homes with the help of building society
loans.
Association of British Credit Unions Ltd
Credit Unions are financial co-operatives owned and controlled by their
members. They offer savings and great value loans plus they are local,
ethical and know what their members want.
Please
Note Independent Financial Advisers must be authorised by the FSA if
they are giving advice on certain types of investments such as
pensions, life insurance, unit trusts and shares. The following sites
can give you the names of authorised advisers in your area:
IFA Promotion
Society of Financial Advisers
Solicitors for Independent Financial Advice
Consumer Links
The
following websites may also be of interest. If you decide to visit
these sites, you will be leaving our website. We are not responsible
for anything you might find once you have left our site.
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Developed by Citizens Advice, the site provides information and advice
on a wide range of consumer topics. Information available in English
and Welsh.
www.ageconcern.org.uk
The website includes many useful fact sheets covering a broad range of subjects, including consumer advice.
www.arb.org.uk
The ARB is the independent regulator for the architects' profession in
the United Kingdom and deals with complaints about architects.
www.bankingcode.org.uk
Information on the Banking Code, including members' obligations to customers.
www.bba.org.uk
The BBA website has answers to some common questions about banking and
bank services, including how to move your account to another bank.
www.callcredit.plc.uk
Request a copy of your credit file.
www.churners.org.uk
An independent website providing details of the best deals offered by utilities suppliers.
www.cccs.co.uk
Free and confidential advice on dealing with debt in England and Wales.
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Consumer Direct is a telephone and online advice and information
service for consumers in Great Britain, supported by the Department of
Trade and Industry.
www.dwp.gov.uk
A list of available welfare benefits and services from the Government.
www.direct.gov.uk
Directgov is the place to turn to for the latest and widest range of
public services and government information. Book a driving test, find a
job, get advice about childcare, renew your passport and lots more.
www.energywatch.org.uk
Advice and information for gas and electricity consumers. You can
contact Energywatch if you have been unable to resolve a complaint with
a gas or electricity company. The site also includes information on the
doorstep selling of gas and electricity supplies.
www.experian.co.uk
Request a copy of your credit file online.
www.firstrungnow.com
Firstrungnow offers a Joint Ownership Service that gives advice to
groups buying together and helps individuals find potential property
partners to invest with.
Insurance Company Directory
Directory
of the UKs most popular insurance companies with customer reviews and
buying guides to help you find the right cover at the right price.
National Assembly for Wales
Details of planning regulations that apply in Wales.
National Association of Estate Agents
A professional estate agency membership organisation committed to
raising professional standards across all aspects of the property
market.
National Consumer Council (NCC)
The NCC is an independent body set up to promote and safeguard the interest of consumers.
National Debtline
Useful factsheets and information packs on dealing with debt.
National Consumer Federation (NCF)
The NCF identify and promote the interests of consumers.
Ofcom (Office of Communications)
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with
responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and
wireless communication services.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)
Information on a number of topics including safety in the home and planning advice for householders.
Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
OFT plays a key role in protecting the economic welfare of consumers.
The website provides a range of advice and information for consumers.
Ofgem (Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets)
Ofgem is the watchdog set up to regulate and promote effective
competition in the gas and electricity industries, as well as to
protect the interests of consumers. The website provides advice and
links to companies providing price comparison services.
Ofwat (Office of Water Services)
Ofwat is responsible for making sure that the water and sewerage
companies in England and Wales give consumers good quality, efficient
service at a fair price.
Ombudsman for Estate Agents
A membership scheme offering free, fair and independent complaints service for buyers and sellers of residential property.
Qualitas Furnishing Standards
The independent standards body for furniture and floor coverings
(including kitchens and bathrooms), Qualitas provide a dispute
resolution service and can perform on-site inspections of products.
Full details of their service, including a list of current members is
available from the Qualitas website.
www.qualitymark.org.uk
The Quality Mark is a government-backed scheme to help private
householders find a reputable builder to carry out repairs and
improvements to their home.
Refunds.org.uk
Provides consumer advice on obtaining a refund.
Ricability
Provides independent information to disabled and elderly consumers.
Ripofftipoff
The website is for consumers to report dishonest traders.
RAC
Information and advice for motorists.
Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR)
Contains disability-related driving information, including details of
the Blue Badge scheme and where you might be able to get help with the
cost of buying your car.
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
RoSPA is actively involved in the promotion of safety in all areas of
life - at work, in the home, and on the roads, in schools, at leisure
and on or near water.
Royal Town Planning Institute
Information on free and independent planning advice available to community groups and individuals.
Rail Passengers Council and Committees (RPCs)
The RPCs investigate passenger complaints that the rail industry has
been unable to satisfactorily resolve. Includes details of how to
contact your local Rail Passengers Committee.
SwitchwithWhich?
A site created by Which? to help consumers find the best current account. It has independent switching advice.
Telephone, Fax and Mailing Preference Service
A voluntary self-regulatory mechanism to enable consumers to opt-out of receiving unsolicited sales and marketing calls.
The Trade Association Forum
Includes contact details for most associations.
Trading Standards Institute
The Institute is the professional body of Trading Standards Officers in
the UK. The website has information and advice on legislation relating
to consumer protection.
Trading Standards Net
Tradingstandards.net is a private advice resource, providing advice and
information related to trading standards and consumer protection.
Watchdog
The BBC's consumer affairs programme.
WaterVoice
WaterVoice is a national consumer watchdog agency for the water industry.
Welsh Consumer Council (WCC)
The national consumer body for Wales, works to represent the interests
of domestic buyers and users of goods and services in Wales.
Which? Magazine
Which? magazine gives independent, unbiased advice to find the best products and services.
Which? Campaigns
This area of the Which? Site covers the campaigns run by Which? on specific issues affecting consumers. |
