Trading Standards works in partnership with the Citizens Advice consumer service providing free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues.
They will advise you and will also refer complex enquiries, urgent enquiries and those requiring further action to Trading Standards.
- Citizens Advice website
- Telephone: 0808 2231133
- The opening hours for Citizens Advice consumer helpline are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
You can also email us at trading.standards@cumbria.gov.uk to let us know about something you feel we should know about, or to comment on the services we provide.
UK European Consumer Centre For Services
If you happen to be in dispute with a trader located in a different country to yourself, but still in the European Union, the UK ECC may be able to provide further support and assist in the contacting of the trader on your behalf: UK European Consumer Centre
Guidance on Charges for the use of Debit and Credit Cards
Payment surcharging is when a fee is charged for the use of a particular means of payment, such as credit cards. Consumers are often unaware of these fees until the final stages of a transaction, when a purchase decision has already been made.
Surcharges are often cited in the airline sector but are also imposed by some retailers in other sectors including rail, event tickets, cinemas, car dealerships and hotels.
Rules prohibit traders from levelling a surcharge in relation to a wide variety of transactions and surcharges are limited in some other circumstances.