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Links
If IMCB has not been able to help then maybe one of the other bodies listed in this section will be of more relevance. These have been categorised to aid your search. If you have suggestions for other links please submit a link to us for consideration.
Consumer links
In the first instance we would encourage you to call your mobile operator and discuss any network related problems or complaints. For convenience we also list below details of a range of bodies that deal with consumer issues and concerns. Not all provide consumer services directly and you should check the description of each before contacting them.
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National Consumer Council works to make a practical difference to the lives of consumers around the UK. They do this by researching, campaigning and working with those who can make a difference to achieve beneficial change for consumers. A particular area of responsibility is in addressing the needs of disadvantaged consumers.
National Consumer Council
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Trading Standards Central provides an online one-stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK. It also provides a search facility in order to find your nearest Trading Standards Department.
Trading Standards Central
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National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice. The CAB helps solve problems which are central to people's lives, including debt and consumer issues, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment and immigration. Advisers can help with filling in forms, writing letters negotiations with creditors and representing clients at court or tribunal.
National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
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Consumer Direct is a Government sponsored website with online access to information and advice for consumers.
Consumer Direct
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Direct Marketing Association (DMA) manages the preference services: the Mailing Preference Service (MPS); Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and the Fax Preference Service (FPS).
Preference Services offer you a method of reducing unsolicited direct mail, sales and marketing telephone and fax calls, and email messages.
Direct Marketing Association
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AdviceNow is an independent, not-for-profit information service providing up-to-date information on rights and legal issues. It is funded by the New Opportunities Fund, the Legal Services Commission, the Invest to Save Budget and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
Advice Now
Trade bodies
Detailed below are a number of trade bodies with members who are involved with the delivery of mobile commercial content.
Regulators, enforcement and classification bodies
Detailed below are links to the website of regulatory, enforcement or classification bodies in the electronic communication industries. IMCB accepts no responsibility for the availability, content or accuracy of the information provided on these sites and accepts no liability for any loss resulting from the use of any of these websites.
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PhonepayPlus is responsible for the regulation of premium rate services such as ringtones, logos, downloads. On a fixed telephone line, these are usually identified as services operating on the 090 prefix. On a mobile, services may be text based, using a short code.
PhonepayPlus
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Internet Watch Foundation addresses the problem of illegal content on the Internet, through its Hotline, with particular reference to images of child abuse anywhere in the world and to images of criminally obscene content and criminally racist content hosted in the UK.
Internet Watch Foundation
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Advertising Standards Authority is the self-regulatory body for all advertisements in the UK. They administer the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing to ensure that advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful. Their remit, since 1 November 2004, extends to TV advertising.
Advertising Standards Authority
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Ofcom is the regulator of the UK telecommunications industry. Ofcom was formed in 2003 and inherited the duties of Oftel, ITC, Radio Authority, BSC and the Radio Communications Agency. Ofcom exists to further the interests of the consumer through a regulatory regime which, where appropriate, encourages competition.
Ofcom
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Video Standards Council is a non-profit making body set up to develop and oversee a Code of Practice and Code of Practice Rules designed to promote high standards within the video industry. The Code and Rules have subsequently been expanded to promote high standards within the computer and video games industry. The voluntary regulation of games is now through the PEGI system. The PEGI system belongs to the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) which is based in Belgium. ISFE have contracted the administration of the system to the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM) which is based in Holland. The Video Standards Council (VSC) will be acting as NICAM’s agent in the UK.
Video Standards Council
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Press Complaints Commission is the self-regulatory body which overseas the regulation of the editorial content of newspapers and magazines.
Press Complaints Commission
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Office of the Information Commissioner is responsible for the Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation in the UK.
Office of the Information Commissioner
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Entertainment Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) was founded in 1989 to establish a specific and collective identity for the British computer and video games industry.
Entertainment Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA)
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British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body, which has responsibility for classifying films and video works. The definition of a video work extends to certain PC games. It undertakes its role on behalf of Local Authorities, who are responsible for cinema licensing and classification.
British Board of Film Classification
Government bodies
Detailed below are links to the websites of government bodies. IMCB accepts no responsibility for the availability, content or accuracy of the information provided on these sites and accepts no liability for any loss resulting from the use of any of these websites.
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Home Office is responsible for internal affairs in the UK. This extends to policy on child safety and the Internet.
Home Office
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Office of Fair Trading aims to protect consumers by explaining their rights and encourages competition amongst businesses as well as ensuring that fair trading practices are adopted.
Office of Fair Trading
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Financial Services Authority has full powers under The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. It is the single statutory regulator responsible for regulating deposit taking, insurance and investment business.
Financial Services Authority
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Department of Culture, Media and Sport has a wide range of responsibilities relating to culture, media and sport. This extends specifically to gambling policy.
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
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Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for economic development and competitiveness in the UK. Specific responsibilities extend to telecommunications licensing and consumer affairs. DTI will also be the joint sponsoring Department, with DCMS, for OFCOM.
Department of Trade and Industry
Miscellaneous links
Detailed below are some useful links to other bodies. Please read our policy concerning links to other websites.
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