Credit
The Financial Services Authority website has lots of information on credit and debt.
The Financial Ombudsman Service is the independent service for settling disputes between businesses providing financial services and their customers.
Click here to read their consumer factsheet on Payment Protection Insurance.
This page on the Office of Fair Trading's website explains how a business which has provided credit may have a duty to help if there is a problem with the goods or service purchased.
If you use, or are thinking
about using, a storecard, then the Are
you storecard smart? pocket guide gives a list of things to consider to see if this is the best form of credit for you.
Loans, credit cards, mortgage payments, bills - should you be worried about what you owe?
The BBC's Debt Test will help you to find out how likely you are to have problems with your borrowing over the next year or so.
Just answer a few simple questions about you and your finances and it will:
tell you whether you should worry about how much you borrow;
give you some tips on how to avoid debt problems; and
help you to tackle your debts if you are in trouble.
Everything you tell them is completely confidential - they won't see any of your information or pass it on to anyone else.
If you are having trouble paying off what you owe, then the In debt? Help yourself out pocket guide may help.
Shetland Islands Citizens Advice Bureau also provides advice on many issues, including consumer problems.
Tel: 01595 694696
Fax: 01595 694283
Email: sicab@zetnet.co.uk
And, of course, you can always contact us.
Learn more here about dealing with debt and how to report loan sharks.
If you have any information about loan shark activity, call the Crimestoppers free and confidential hotline on 0800 555 111.