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You can find out more about your rights via the Citizens Advice consumer advice pages https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/ or by contacting our Consumer Helpline if you need more help. Tel 0808 223 1133 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For information and advice on this or anything else, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call Sudbury and District Citizens Advice on 01787 321400 and leave a message and someone will call you back when available. We will attempt three times to call you back, so please expect a call from a withheld number. Alternatively, contact us via email at advice@sudburycab.org.uk or by using the contact facility on our website, https://www.sudburycab.org.uk/contact
Sudbury & South Suffolk Citizens Advice
December Advice Column: Winter Fuel Bills
I am a single parent with two kids, and I’m really worried about how I’ll afford to pay my energy bills when I have to start putting the heating and lights on more now winter is here. At the moment I just about have enough money to cover my bills but there is nothing left over. The thought of getting into debt keeps me awake at night but the idea of my children being cold and possibly unwell as a result is just unbearable. What can I do?
You are not alone - a record number of people came to Citizens Advice with energy debt in the first four months of 2023 (32,400) - a 112% increase on the same period in 2020 (15,200). There are things you can do to feel in control when it comes to your energy bills.
There are some simple tips to help save money on your energy bills. They won’t cover all the extra costs, but they can make a difference:
● Check your thermostat: A room temperature between 18°C and 21°C is ideal for most people. Try turning your thermostat down by one degree within this range – it could save you around £115 a year. If a medical condition means you need a warmer home, ask your GP what room temperature you should aim for.
● Keep the heat in: Check your home for any gaps in the doors, windows and floors. Blocking any holes where you could get a draught could save you around £30 a year. It is important to allow for some ventilation as without it mould and damp can form.
● Turn off anything you’re not using: Turning your appliances, like TVs and washing machines, off instead of leaving them on standby could save around £60 a year. Turning off lights when you’re not using them – even if it’s just off for a few seconds - could save around £25 a year.
● Consider using LED lightbulbs, which cost less to run.
● Watch your water usage: Cutting your shower time by just one minute can make a difference. If everyone in a four-person household with a water meter did this, they could save around £75 a year.
If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, you might be able to get support from the government or your energy supplier. The first step is to contact your supplier to find out what they can offer. You may be eligible for benefits including the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments or the Household Support Fund, find out more about these on our website. For more information visit the Citizens Advice website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call Sudbury and South Suffolk Citizens Advice on 01787 321400 and leave a message and someone will call you back when available. We will attempt three times to call you back, so please expect a call from a withheld number. Alternatively, contact us via email at advice@sudburycab.org.uk or by using the contact facility on our website, https://www.sudburycab.org.uk/contact
We are providing advice by telephone and email Monday – Thursday, 10am – 3pm.
December 2023
I do most of my shopping online. I am always on the lookout for a bargain, especially with the festive season coming up but I’m worried about scammers. What should I look for, to avoid getting caught out?
You’re not alone, lots of people do their shopping online these days, it’s convenient and can save you time. But as more and more of us move online, so are scammers, with their tactics becoming more sophisticated all the time.
While scams can be tricky to recognise there are always things you can look out for and steps you can take to protect yourself from falling foul to a scammer.
The golden rule to remember is that if it seems too good to be true then it probably is. This goes for products which are ‘must-haves’, are sold out at major retailers, or are heavily discounted.
If you’re buying from a site you haven’t used before, do some research before hitting buy. Find the company’s return and refund policies so you know your rights if something goes wrong with your purchase. You should also look up the company’s address, this can normally be found in the website’s ‘contact us’ section and should have a street name, not just a post office box.
Also take some time to see what other people have said about the website. Start with an internet search and look at different review websites, don’t rely on reviews the company has put on its own website.
Be very wary of people contacting you out of the blue on social media or via text and email offering an item for sale or deal on something. And scammers will often ask you to pay in unusual ways or put you under pressure to buy very quickly. For example, they’ll ask you to send money through a transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union or pay via vouchers.
If you do fall victim to a scam, firstly don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed. Scammers are clever and regularly adapt their methods making them harder to spot. Anyone can get scammed.
Secondly, do report it, this alerts authorities to scammers’ techniques and prevents others from being taken advantage of. You can report a scam to Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/reporting-a-scam or Action Fraud www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime
If you’ve transferred money in the last 24 hours contact the police via the non-emergency number 101, however if you feel unsafe use 999. Also contact your bank to let them know you’ve transferred money; you should still do this if 24 hours have passed.
We are providing advice by telephone and email Monday – Thursday, 10am – 3pm.
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