Shop wisely this sale season and avoid getting less than you bargained for
With Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the holiday season fast approaching, Citizens Advice Wigan Borough has released top tips to remind bargain-hunters how to shop safely online.
Citizens Wigan Borough’s top tips for shopping wisely:
Do your research
Before buying from a site you haven’t used before, spend a few minutes checking it out. See what people have said about the person or company you’re buying from by looking at reviews on different websites - don’t rely on reviews the company has put on its own website. If you’re worried that something you’ve seen online might be a scam, you can get help from the Citizens Advice consumer helpline
Be wise to scams in disguise
If a bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is. If it’s branded but a lot cheaper than it appears on the brand’s website, it could be fake. It could be a legitimate ‘look-a-like’ product. Either way, it might not be the quality you were hoping for
Ways to pay
Beware of a seller who asks you to pay by direct bank transfer. Bank transfers have limited protection if things go wrong, so avoid using them. You should only send and receive money through the online marketplace app or website using a debit or credit card, or via trusted methods of payment such as PayPal.
Know your rights
If you’ve bought from a retailer you might be entitled to a replacement product or a repair of your faulty goods. You can even claim a full refund if you can prove the goods are faulty. If you’ve bought from an individual, perhaps via an online marketplace, you have far fewer rights. In fact, you have no right to return, so long as the goods are ‘as described’. Always be sure to take a screenshot of the description, and be sure to check and double check before you buy
When things go wrong
Sometimes things just don’t go to plan. If you’ve bought something that is broken, damaged, unsafe or not what you expected then contact the seller and give them a chance to put it right. If that doesn’t work - reach out to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline
The top tips mark the start of National Consumer Week (Monday 14 November - Sunday 20 November). The annual campaign is run by Citizens Advice in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP), which includes Trading Standards and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Lisa Kidston, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Wigan Borough, said:
“Across Wigan borough purse strings are tightening and financial pressures are increasing every day. With sales season fast approaching, it’s vital we recognise the red flags when trying to bag a bargain in the run up to the holidays.
Anyone can be a victim of a scam, and even the savviest of shoppers can be left getting less than they bargained for. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed if you’re caught out. By knowing how to shop wisely, and what to do if something goes wrong, we can better protect ourselves and each other.”
For information and advice, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline free on 0808 223 1133
Note to editors
National Consumer Week is an annual campaign which aims to raise people's awareness of specific consumer issues, and provide support and advice for those who need it
Citizens Advice is made up of the national charity Citizens Advice; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service
Our network of charities offers impartial advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free
To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 to talk in Welsh
Citizens Advice Wigan Borough joins coalition of organisations opposing planned cut to Universal Credit
Citizens Advice Wigan Borough has joined up with a coalition of charities across Greater Manchester to express concerns around the planned cut to Universal Credit.
In October, hundreds of thousands of Greater Manchester residents will face an overnight loss of £20 a week if the Government ploughs on with the planned cut to Universal Credit.
The coalition of organisations includes Citizens Advice branches from across Greater Manchester. The group has written directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to stop the planned cut to Universal Credit.
The letter sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
Lisa Kidston, Chief Officer, says:
“At a time when our region is recovering from the economic impact of coronavirus, this cut could be devastating to Greater Manchester. If the cut goes ahead, it will remove over £193 million from our regional economy, damaging businesses and putting jobs at risk. It will also push many parents out of work as they lose their entitlement to Universal Credit and the benefit’s childcare element.
The impact on Wigan, Leigh, and Makerfield residents’ wellbeing, as well as the impact on the region’s economy, are in direct opposition to the Government’s ‘Levelling Up Agenda’ and risk worsening the north-south economic divide.
Harming the region’s economy and risking an increase in child poverty will have a long-lasting impact on our region. This is why we have joined this coalition of organisations committed to advocating for residents and businesses across Greater Manchester, to urge the Government to reconsider the planned cut.”
‘Keep Universal Credit lifeline’ urges Citizens Advice Wigan Borough
Benefits cut of £20-a-week set to hit 1 in 6 in Wigan Borough
Local charity warns of increased debt and hardship if ‘lifeline’ ends in October
Citizens Advice Wigan Borough is urging the government against a cut to Universal Credit that would impact 1 in 6 working-age people in Wigan Borough.
According to the latest available figures, approximately 40% of residents set to see their benefits drop are families with children and 38% are already in work.
Staff and volunteers at the local charity have helped 2,772 people with Universal Credit since March last year. It says the £20 a week increase has been a ‘lifeline’ and has supported people who were already struggling before the pandemic as well as those hit by Covid job losses.
The charity warns a cut to the benefit this autumn - as energy bills rise with the colder weather - will see many struggle to afford their essential costs. It fears a drop in income could be particularly difficult for new benefits claimants who may be unaware of the looming cut.
Lisa Kidston, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Wigan Borough, said:
“Every day, our staff and volunteers see the difference the increase to Universal Credit has made to families. It’s what has helped them keep their heads above water.
“Without that extra money, we fear we’ll see more people coming to us in debt, unable to pay their bills or needing to turn to food banks because they can’t afford the essentials.
“As we look to rebuild from Covid, the government must invest in the benefits system and keep this vital lifeline.”
Citizens Advice Wigan Borough launches community access hub with Bramble House
The charity is partnering with a local community centre to improve access to quality advice for residents without digital access. The Citizens Advice Wigan Borough access hub at Bramble House in Worsley will open on 22nd July, allowing visitors to the community centre to access online self-help and virtually connect to the charity’s advisers.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Citizens Advice Wigan Borough quickly adapted to help more people via phone, email and webchat while its face-to-face service was paused. Staff at the charity hope that the Bramble House community access hub will increase the reach of its advice service across the borough.
Wigan Borough residents without access to smart devices or high-speed internet are encouraged to visit Bramble House to attend a video drop-in with specialist advisers.
Sandra Traynor, Operations Manager, said: “Our core aim is to provide a quality advice service to the people of Wigan Borough. With our new community video advice service, more residents will be able to access free, independent, impartial advice from our specialist team.
Digital exclusion is a real issue for many of our residents, and the coronavirus pandemic has further highlighted the digital divide. We hope that this new service will particularly benefit those without access to smart devices or home internet.”
For information and advice, contact Citizens Advice Wigan Borough on 08082 787 801 or visit www.cawb.org.uk.
65% of people in the North West targeted by scammer so far in 2021
65% of people in the North West have been targeted by a scammer since January, new research by Citizens Advice has found.
Fraudsters tried to trick locals in a range of ways, but the biggest scam faced by North West locals is delivery scams. 59% of people in the area said they’d been contacted about a scam of this kind.
Many people in the North West say they’re worried that they or a loved one could fall victim to a scam, with 61% saying they’re concerned this might happen.
To encourage people to report scams, share their experiences and look out for others, Citizens Advice Wigan Borough has launched its annual Scams Awareness campaign.
Lisa Kidston, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Wigan Borough said:
“A shocking number of people in the North West have been targeted by a scammer so far this year.
“As life begins to unlock, it’s so important we all do our bit and report anything that looks like a con when we see it. By learning how scammers operate, and helping each other understand what to look out for, we can all work together to stop fraudsters in their tracks.“
To help stop more people being fleeced by these types of scams, Citizens Advice Wigan Borough is sharing the following tips on how to spot them.
It might be a scam if:
it seems too good to be true – for example, a holiday that’s much cheaper than you’d expect
you suspect you’re not dealing with a real company – for example, if there’s no postal address
you’ve been pressured to transfer money quickly or in an unusual way – like by iTunes vouchers or a transfer service
you’ve been asked to give away personal information like passwords or PINs
you haven't had written confirmation of what's been agreed
If you’ve been scammed, Citizens Advice Wigan Borough advises:
talk to your bank or card company immediately if you’ve handed over any financial and sensitive information or made a payment
report offline scams, like telephone, post and doorstep, to Citizens Advice online or by calling 0808 223 1133. Report online scams to the dedicated Scams Action service either online or on 0808 250 5050
report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040
For more information contact: Ellie Thouret e.thouret@cawb.org.uk
We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.