Help and advice is available for managing your money effectively and safely.

Worried about money - advice and support

An online form has been created by a number of partner agencies, designed to get you to the most appropriate help in three simple steps. A PDF version of the help available can be downloaded at the top of the form.

Be alert for scams

Friends Against Scams has a guide on how you can protect yourself against cost of living scams including fake loans and impersonation scams.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has warned that scammers are pretending to be Ofgem and advising members of the public to switch energy providers and provide financial details.

If anyone uninvited calls at your home or telephones you about energy grants, they are not working for or with BCP Council. We will never send official representatives to your property uninvited, or cold call you, to encourage you to join any scheme. This is also true of the government's Green Homes Grant scheme.

To enquire about energy grants contact: Ridgewater Energy on 01202 612726 or email info@ridgewaterenergy.co.uk. You can also look at our energy and utility bills page.

Trading Standards South West has produced a student scams toolkit to advise students about potential schemes that may target a young person living away from home for the first time.

Loan sharks

Loan sharks are lenders who are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which means any lending they provide is illegal. Stop Loan Sharks has information about loan sharks, how to spot them, and how to report them.

Building works and repairs

If you're looking into having building works or repairs done to your home, what seems a good deal can end up costing more to put right after or if the businesses doesn’t complete the work, especially where it's an unsolicited offer to carry out property repairs such as gardening or loft insulation.

We’d recommend taking time to research the business and look for trusted reviews and references. We'd also recommend that you never pay the whole amount in advance. Consider using a business that’s been pre-vetted by Trading Standards or another reputable trader approval scheme.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice BCP mobile outreach vehicle - to help make reaching their services that little bit easier. The Community Advice Vehicle will be in these areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in the coming months.