Citizens Advice Lancashire West Blog Page
BT Refunds £18 Million to Customers After Ofcom Enforcement Action
BT has returned a total of £18 million to customers in the form of refunds and account credits, following enforcement action by Ofcom.
The action stems from a breach of consumer protection rules, which require telecoms companies to provide customers with clear and simple contract information before they commit to a new agreement. In 2024, BT was fined £2.8 million for failing to meet these obligations.
Summer Days Out That Won’t Break the Bank
Kids Go Free & Discounted Entry Passes
Merlin Entertainments “Twice the Fun” deal: Visit two Merlin parks (Alton Towers, LEGOLAND Windsor, Chessington, Thorpe Park) for the price of one between 21 July and 17 August 2025, with the second visit redeemable until 30 September — saving at least £29 per person.
Kids Pass App: Offers discounts up to 57% on family days out (zoos, aquariums, theme parks) and up to 56% off cinema trips.
Annual passes from £6–£10: Local attractions like Cardiff Castle, Preston Park, SeaCity Museum, and British Motor Museum offer family or child access from as little as £6.65 to £25.65 annually.
Making School Holidays Memorable Without Breaking the Bank
Creative ways to keep kids happy, healthy, and entertained on a budget
The school holidays can be a joyful time for children — but for many parents, the rising cost of living adds pressure when it comes to food, activities, and childcare. Whether you’re looking for fun on a shoestring or accessing extra support, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of the break.
Why Installing a Water Meter Could Slash Your Bill by 50%
Record-high bills spark surge in demand as households look to take back control
Skyrocketing water bills have triggered a major shift in consumer behaviour — over 100,000 homeowners requested water meters in the first four months of this year alone, amid growing public pressure for reforms in the industry.
Police Warn of New SMS Scam Device Flooding Phones with Fraudulent Texts
Criminals are using ‘SMS blasters’ to send thousands of scam messages undetected — right from the boots of their cars.
A man has been jailed in the UK for using a high-tech SMS “blaster” device to send out scam messages to thousands of unsuspecting mobile phone users in London.
Amazon Commits to Tackle Fake Reviews Following CMA Investigation
Amazon has agreed to implement stronger measures to combat fake reviews on its platform following an investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This commitment includes tougher sanctions for sellers and reviewers who attempt to manipulate product ratings, and marks a major step in protecting UK consumers under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA).
Britain’s Hidden Crisis: 4.5 Million Children Trapped in Poverty
Did you know that 4.5 million children in the UK are living in relative poverty after housing costs as of April 2024? That’s nearly one in three—approximately 31 % of all children—up by 100,000 from the previous year.
Caring for Carers: Essential Support You Need to Know
Looking after someone who’s disabled, unwell, or elderly brings immense responsibility—and responsibility shouldn’t mean facing it alone. Below, we break down the key help available for carers in England, so you can understand your rights, access vital support, and protect your wellbeing as you care for others.
Don’t Get Caught: How to Spot Fake Parking Fine Text Scams
Scammers are getting smarter — and one of their latest tricks involves sending fake text messages about unpaid parking fines. These scams often look official, sound urgent, and try to scare you into clicking a link or giving up personal details.
Here’s how to protect yourself and what to do if you receive one of these fake messages.
Citizens Advice: Standing Together Against Loneliness
At Citizens Advice, we believe no one should have to face life's challenges alone. For over 85 years, we’ve been helping people navigate tough times and find a way forward. As a charity dedicated to serving everyone, no matter who they are or what they’re facing, we’re here for the whole of society.
Every year, millions turn to us for support—whether they’re dealing with financial pressures, housing issues, employment concerns, or something else entirely. But behind each practical issue, there’s often something deeper—like isolation, anxiety, or the feeling that there’s no one to turn to. Loneliness doesn’t always look the way people expect, and we know it can affect anyone.
Protecting Our Most Vulnerable During the Digital Switchover: What You Need to Know
From now until January 2027, all traditional landline phones in the UK will be moving from the old analogue system to a new digital network. While this change is part of an essential nationwide upgrade, it poses a serious risk to people who rely on telecare alarms connected to analogue phone lines.
Don’t Be Fooled: How to Spot AI-Generated Scams and Stay Safe Online
In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, scams have taken a terrifyingly real turn. From deepfake videos of loved ones to cloned voices pleading for money, criminals are leveraging AI to exploit trust and emotion in ways never seen before. But knowledge is your best defence. This guide will show you how to spot the red flags, check suspicious media, and protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to AI-generated scams.
Buyers Scammed and Blocked – The Dark Side of Social Ticket Resales
Music fans are warning others not to buy tickets for sold-out Bank Holiday events from social media resellers, after several people were scammed out of their money.
Finding Your Way Out of Debt: How Citizens Advice Lancashire Can Help
Debt can feel overwhelming, but you're not alone. Citizens Advice Lancashire West offers free, confidential, and impartial support to help you manage and overcome debt. Whether you're facing mounting bills, struggling with repayments, or unsure where to turn, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Why Volunteers Are the Heart of Citizens Advice Lancashire West
At Citizens Advice Lancashire West, volunteers are more than just helping hands—they are the driving force behind the vital support we provide to thousands of people across Chorley, South Ribble, Fleetwood and Skelmersdale every year. Without our dedicated team of volunteers, we simply couldn’t offer the breadth or depth of advice services our community relies on.
If You’re Ill and Can’t Take Your Holiday
This advice applies to England.
If you’re sick during your holiday or fall ill before it starts, you can ask your employer to treat the time off as sick leave instead. That way, you can save your holiday for when you’re well enough to enjoy it.
Why Cutting Support While Promoting Work Won’t Help Disabled People into Employment
The government has recently unveiled several proposals aimed at increasing employment among disabled people. Central to these efforts is the Keep Britain Working Review, which highlights the role employers can play. But these plans are riddled with contradictions — especially when viewed alongside the green paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, which proposes sweeping cuts to disabled people’s benefits with little meaningful consultation.
Energy Customer Service Rankings: The Best and Most Complained About Energy Suppliers Revealed
Rebel Energy and So Energy named lowest performers, while Utility Warehouse leads the pack
Two challenger energy suppliers have been named as the most complained about in the industry for customer service, according to new figures from Citizens Advice.
The data, which looked at energy companies with more than 25,000 customers, factored in complaint volumes to Citizens Advice, Advice Direct Scotland, and the Energy Ombudsman, as well as call waiting times and customer commitment scores.
Benefit Cuts Could Deepen Poverty Crisis, Warns Citizens Advice CEO
Clare Moriarty calls Labour’s plans a “quick fix” with long-lasting damage to health and livelihoods
Cutting benefits for disabled people will push more individuals and families into poverty and create further barriers to employment, warns Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice.
How Much Universal Credit Will I Get? A Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding how much Universal Credit you’ll receive can be confusing, as various factors affect the final amount. However, you can get a general idea by following these five key steps.