Who to contact for help
We publish information, not advice. If you need personal guidance on your own money, or you are in an urgent debt, fraud or safety situation, please go straight to one of the free, regulated UK organisations listed below.
Every service on this page is free at the point of use. We have no commercial relationship with any of them — we list them because they are the official or government-backed routes for the issues they cover.
Free money guidance and advice
These services are free, impartial and government-backed or charity-run. Start here for general money questions.
MoneyHelper (MaPS)
0800 138 7777Free, impartial money and pensions guidance from the government-backed Money and Pensions Service. Phone, webchat and online tools across budgeting, benefits, mortgages, pensions and more.
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm. Welsh-language line available.
Citizens Advice
0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales)Free advice on debt, benefits, housing, consumer issues, employment and more. Local offices across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus phone and webchat.
Advicelocal
Find local advice services for housing, benefits, debt, employment, immigration and discrimination — by postcode.
Debt help
All three of these are free, regulated debt-advice charities. They can set up Breathing Space, recommend Debt Management Plans, DROs, IVAs or bankruptcy, and write to your creditors for you. Never pay a fee for debt advice.
StepChange Debt Charity
0800 138 1111Free debt advice and full management of Debt Management Plans, DROs and IVAs.
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-4pm.
National Debtline
0808 808 4000Free, confidential debt advice by phone and webchat, run by the Money Advice Trust.
Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm.
Business Debtline
0800 197 6026Free debt advice for the self-employed and small businesses.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
0800 328 0006Free, in-person debt help across the UK through local CAP centres.
Fraud and scams
If you have been scammed, contact your bank first (phone the number on the back of your card). Then report it using the services below.
Action Fraud (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)
0300 123 2040The national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
If a crime is in progress, call 999.
Police Scotland (Scotland)
101Report fraud and scams to Police Scotland.
Suspicious texts and emails
Forward suspect texts to 7726 (free) and suspect emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspect websites can be reported to the NCSC.
Take Five to Stop Fraud
UK Finance's consumer awareness campaign with up-to-date scam guidance.
Pensions
Pensions are complex — these are the free, regulated services for guidance, tracing lost pots and complaints.
MoneyHelper Pensions (incl. Pension Wise)
0800 011 3797 (Pension Wise booking)Free guidance on workplace and personal pensions. Anyone over 50 with a defined-contribution pension can book a free Pension Wise appointment.
Pension Tracing Service
0800 731 0193Government service for finding lost workplace or personal pensions.
The Pensions Ombudsman
Free, independent body that resolves complaints about workplace and personal pensions.
Benefits and tax
Official routes for benefits queries and HMRC matters.
Universal Credit helpline
0800 328 5644DWP support for Universal Credit claims and changes.
HMRC
0300 200 3300 (Income Tax)Self Assessment, PAYE, tax codes, National Insurance and tax credits.
Turn2us
Free benefits calculator and grants search for people on low incomes.
entitledto
Independent benefits and tax credits calculator used by many local authorities.
Complaints about financial firms
If you have complained to a bank, insurer, lender or other regulated firm and are unhappy with their final response — or eight weeks have passed without one — these are the free routes to escalate.
Financial Ombudsman Service
0800 023 4567Free, independent service for complaints about banks, insurance, credit, investments and most regulated financial firms.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
0800 678 1100Statutory compensation if a UK-authorised financial firm fails — up to £85,000 per person for deposits.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
UK regulator for financial services firms. Check whether a firm is authorised via the FCA Register.
Energy, water and communications
Complaints about utilities go to your supplier first; if unresolved after 8 weeks (or a deadlock letter) you can escalate to a sector ombudsman, free.
Energy Ombudsman
0330 440 1624Free, independent resolution for gas and electricity complaints (and broadband, mobile and post via Communications Ombudsman).
Consumer Council for Water (CCW)
0300 034 2222Independent body that handles complaints about water and sewerage in England and Wales.
Ofcom
UK regulator for broadband, mobile and post. Publishes the official list of social tariffs.
Housing
Free, regulated help with rent arrears, eviction, homelessness and disrepair.
Shelter (England)
0808 800 4444Free emergency housing advice helpline.
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, weekends 9am-5pm.
Shelter Scotland
0808 800 4444Free housing advice across Scotland.
Shelter Cymru (Wales)
08000 495 495Free housing advice for Wales.
Housing Rights (Northern Ireland)
028 9024 5640Free, independent housing advice for Northern Ireland.
Mental health and crisis support
Money worries can have a serious impact on mental health. These services are free and many are 24/7.
Samaritans
116 123Free, confidential support, available 24 hours a day, every day.
Shout (text service)
Free, 24/7 mental health crisis text line — text SHOUT to 85258.
Mind
0300 102 1234Mental health information and local Mind services.
NHS 111
111Urgent (non-emergency) NHS help, including mental health crisis support — call 111 and choose the mental health option.
In a life-threatening emergency always call 999.
Domestic abuse — including economic abuse
Economic abuse is a recognised form of domestic abuse. These services can help with safety, finances and coerced debt.
Refuge / National Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247Free, confidential, 24/7 helpline for women experiencing domestic abuse.
Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA)
Specialist UK charity supporting victims of economic abuse — including coerced debt.
Men's Advice Line (Respect)
0808 801 0327Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse.
In immediate danger
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or a crime is in progress, always call 999.
Numbers, opening hours and remits can change. Always check the organisation’s own website before relying on the information here. This page is published as a public directory of UK help services and is not a personal recommendation.