Ombudsman roadshow coming to Kettering

The roadshow will be at the Clock Tower from 9am to 5pm on Monday, March 13, and Tuesday, March 14.

If you would like to register a complaint, it is important you bring the correct documents along to the event.

You will need any correspondence you may have had with your supplier about an issue, your account number and a copy of the bill, if this is what you are disputing.

Every year, millions of people suffer in silence when they’re let down by a company.

Ombudsman Services’ Consumer Action Monitor reveals that more than 85,000 complaints were made in Kettering last year, but a higher amount, more than 140,000 were not acted upon.

Only 118 energy and communications complaints were brought to Ombudsman Services in 2016, meaning many residents in Kettering aren’t getting the compensation or apology they request.

Chief Ombudsman Lewis Shand Smith said: “It’s important that residents in Kettering know their consumer rights and don’t put up with bad service.

“Complaining should be an easy, hassle-free experience – if you’re still in a dispute with a company after eight weeks, Ombudsman Services can look into the case for free and provide a resolution.

“We are extremely excited to be visiting Kettering.

“If you feel like a company is not listening to your complaint or you’re not sure about how to go about raising an issue, come down and speak to us.

“We will happily talk you through how to complain and can register a complaint for you there and then.”

Ombudsman Services provides an independent, impartial and cost effective means of resolving disputes outside the courts.

It can investigate disputes between customers and suppliers that have been on going for eight weeks or more, or those that have reached a deadlock stage.

Consumers must contact their supplier directly in the first instance before they can escalate the complaint to the ombudsman.