Research and Campaigns
How you can campaign for change
Take part in any surveys we are running.
Bookmark this page to keep up to date on our campaign work and visit Citizens Advice to complete any online surveys that apply to you and to get information about our current and recent campaigns.
If you are visiting our office in Fareham Library, our Receptionist will tell you if we need your help with a survey and you may be asked to complete one while you are waiting.
Tell your adviser if you believe you have been treated unfairly or have been discriminated against in any way. Sometimes there will be nothing we can do even though the treatment seems to be wrong. But we can tell people who may be able to change things and it may lead to changes in the future.
Tell your adviser if you would like to take part in any action to get things changed – this might include writing to your MP, local councillor or other organisation.
Tell your adviser if you would be willing to take part in any publicity about your problem – both local and national. Newspapers, radio and television programmes and news items always like to use real people and problems in their stories.
Current National Campaigns
If you're looking for advice and support on scams please visit our online advice pages
The increased financial pressure many will be facing has put more people into difficult situations, with many facing issues with debt and being unable to afford essential goods and services. We’ve seen time and again that scammers seek to exploit vulnerability, and so scammers are likely to exploit these issues, so empowering the public to protect themselves and others from scams will have heightened importance.
There are lots of different types of scams emerging. Some examples to look out for include:
Scammers posting investment opportunities on social media that offer large profits. These profits were never shared with consumers, despite them investing more money or paying large fees
Fraudsters using high pressure sales techniques to get vulnerable consumers to invest in their schemes
Protect yourself from investment scams
Check for language such as ‘loophole’ or ‘guaranteed returns.’ These can be warning signs of a scam
Don’t be rushed into signing up, even if you think you might miss out on a good deal.
Do not provide personal details or bank details straight away.
If you're contacted unexpectedly by a financial business or individual, make sure you reply using the contact details on the Financial Services Register fca.org.uk/firms/financial-services-register. If you can’t find a firm on the Register, call the FCA on 0800 111 6768
Scammers may imply that they know you have a friend that has signed up for the investment opportunity by using common names to create familiarity or trust. Don’t engage with callers using this method
If you think someone is calling to trick you into giving them money or your personal details, hang up and call 159. This is a secure service that connects you directly with your bank. Find out if your bank uses this service at stopscamsuk.org.uk/159
Scammers sometimes clone legitimate investment companies, using their own phone number and website details. You can visit the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) website fca.org.uk to check if an investment opportunity has been reported as a scam and check if an investment company is registered with the FCA.
Our National Consumer Campaign is an annual campaign which aims to raise people's awareness of specific consumer issues, and provide support and advice for those who need it. Our 2023/2024 campaign took place over two week long periods - the first ran between 16 - 22 October, with the second following between 29 January - 4 February 2024.
Our October 2023/2024 campaigns focused on making sure the seller delivered, advising consumers on their rights and how to protect themselves when shopping online - as well as what they can do if something went wrong.
Our 2024 campaign will run between 20 May and 2 June, and will focus on used cars, supplying consumers with the advice and support they need to feel confident when purchasing as well as support if they are having issues with a car they bought.
In response to the issues with the energy market, Citizens Advice and the Energy Saving Trust are sharing information and advice to help people manage their energy bills. Throughout this year long campaign, we will deliver key energy advice to clients across England and Wales, focusing on the key issues within the energy market and reassuring them that Citizens Advice is here to provide support.
This will be supported by the return of Energy Savers Week, running between 15 - 21 January 2024, being run in partnership with Energy Saving Trust. The focus of this week of activity is to share our top five winter warmer tips to help consumers stay warm and save energy.