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Citizens Advice to help christmas shoppers via Twitter and Facebook this Mega Monday

2 December 2011

This Monday (5 December) evening, when online shopping is expected to peak ahead of Christmas, Citizens Advice are going to be available via Twitter (twitter.com/citizensadvice) and Facebook (facebook.com/citizensadvice) to give shoppers any last minute advice they might need on consumer rights and online safety.

Building on Citizens Advice's experience helping people with over 400,000 consumer problems last year and the recent online safety and security partnership with Google* the campaign brings together this advice expertise with the Mega Monday rush to online shopping. With shoppers predicted to spend hundreds of millions of pounds on the first Monday in December and with the evening expected to be the busiest time, Citizens Advice are hoping that taking their service to social media will let people get advice when and where they can most easily access it.

As Citizens Advice Bureaux across the country close for the evening , the social media channels will spring into action giving advice on any online consumer queries people might have. The service will be available between 18:00 - 22:00 and queries using the hashtag, #DearCAB, will be answered by staff at the national office and Birmingham CAB, Britain's largest Citizens Advice Bureau.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice, said:

"People have written their 'Dear Santa' lists and now it's time to buy those presents but if you're not sure about a website or want to know your rights then it's time to write your 'Dear CAB' message.

"For anyone shopping online this Monday, if you have queries about returning items, security and you're your rights when buying online just visit our Twitter and Facebook pages and ask away."

While Monday is set to be the biggest online shopping day before Christmas, Citizens Advice is not settling with just a day of social advice - shoppers across England and Wales can get advice on shoppers rights through Foursquare (foursquare.com/citizensadvice/list/christmas-shopping-tips).

Citizens Advice has also launched an online advent calendar giving daily tips to get you through the festive period - from setting a budget for seasonal spends to putting enough money in the parking meter to cover any long Christmas queues, and your holiday rights around Christmas.  Find the full list at www.citizensadvice.org.uk <http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/>  

*http://www.google.co.uk/goodtoknow/

Citizens Advice

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see www.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.9 million problems from April 2011 to March 2012. For full 2011/2012 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,500 service outlets across England and Wales.