New government consumer advice is a phone call away

Matt Allwright, presenter of BBC1’s ‘Rogue Traders’ will today launch Consumer Direct West Midlands – a new telephone and online consumer advice service now available to local residents.

Consumer Direct West Midlands is working in partnership with Herefordshire Council Trading Standards to offer people across Herefordshire clear, practical consumer advice on a range of issues from returning faulty goods to getting a refund, your rights as a shopper and advice on what to look for before making a big purchase.

Consumer Direct is a government funded initiative and the new customer contact centre which has opened in the West Midlands will complete a national service which is available across England, Scotland and Wales.

Cllr Phil Edwards, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This new service is designed to offer consumers first tier advice.  By working closely with our own Trading Standards team and those from across the region we will be able to help those people that are most vulnerable and at risk of being hoodwinked. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to extend the services to more people in Herefordshire and we are glad to be part of this exciting new initiative.”

You can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk