Reporting a trading standards issue

If you think a business or trader is in breach of trading standards, report the problem to Citizens Advice who will give advice and pass the details on to us. We don't advise consumers and cannot acknowledge or investigate every single complaint. However, we use all the information to target our business compliance and enforcement activity.

You can find further information on your consumer rights, how to complain to businesses and other consumer advice issues on the Citizens Advice website.

You can call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or chat online (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). Outside those hours you can fill in an online enquiry form.

Report an issue online via Citizens Advice

If you want to report consumer crime anonymously, visit the London Trading Standards website.

If you need help complaining

If you need assistance with your complaint, you'll find the following websites useful:

• Consumers Association (Which? magazine) has a consumer rights website to help you understand complex regulations and offers over 100 letter templates to help you seek redress
• the Resolver website makes complaining quick and straightforward; templates are provided as well as online facilities which enable larger organisations to respond more efficiently to your complaint

Advice on scams

Anyone can be the victim of a scam so always be wary if anyone is rushing you to transfer money or pay them upfront for work. See the Citizens Advice pages for more help and support.

Misleading advertising

As well as contacting us, you can report misleading advertising to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). 

Property, lettings and tenancy issues

If you have a problem with an estate agent or letting agent you can seek redress via a government approved redress scheme. All property agents must belong to such a scheme. The details of which redress scheme the agent belongs to must be shown on their website and on their premises.

For advice on private sector landlord, lettings and tenancy issues contact Southwark’s tenancy relations service.

Reporting a fraud

If you've been a victim of fraud or internet crime, report the issue online to Action Fraud. This website provides a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated Internet crime.

Reporting a crime

If the crime is an emergency, call 999.

To report a crime that's already happened, visit the Metropolitan Police website or call 101. You can also call 101 to report any local policing issues or to seek crime prevention advice.

Page last updated: 18 May 2023