Sound Advice
Sound Advice, a regular column written by Wyre Forest CAB and published in the Kidderminster Shuttle, contains interesting questions and answers about your rights.
New questions and answers are published in in the Kidderminster Shuttle and on this page regularly.
Some Sound Advice
The following questions were printed on 7 February 2008
Whilst my car was parked in a car park I had a leaflet left on it about earning extra money by working from home with a telephone number to ring. Working from home would suit my lifestyle at the moment and I could do with the extra cash, however I am a bit worried about phoning as I do not know where the leaflet came from.
Work from home opportunities, are usually (but not always) a scam, they usually advertise in local papers, on lamp posts or on the internet. They advertise paid work from home and how you will potentially make huge earnings. However, they usually require money up front to pay for materials or to reveal their secret to success. They take your money but some don't pay for any work you do. If you decide to phone the number and they ask for money upfront you will know it is a scam. Genuine employers will not ask for money in advance.
If you were interested in working from home you could think about contacting the National Group of Home Working on 0800 174 095. If you believe your leaflet was a scam, contact www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
I am getting divorced after being separated for a long time. The solicitor requires the marriage certificate which I do not have. Will I be able to get a copy?
You can obtain copies of your marriage certificate either by post or by visiting your local register office where the marriage was registered or by a person visit to the family records centre. Certificates are available for collection or can be posted. A priority service is available for a fee. The family records centre is in London; you can find more details at www.familyrecords.gov.uk/frc. As your marriage took place more that 18 months ago a copy can also be obtained from the General Register office. This can be done by post, phone, online at www.gro.gov.uk or fax. When obtaining a copy by any of the methods you will be required to provide as much information about the marriage as possible such as date, venue, maiden name. The fees from your Local Register Office will be £7 at Family Records it will be between £7 and £23 and from the General Register Office between £8.50 and £27.50.
My father died six months ago but post is still being sent addressed to him and every time a letter arrives my mother gets upset. Is there anything I can do to stop this?
Junk mail is not only an inconvenience but obviously in your case is also causing distress. You can register your late father's details on the bereavement register. Companies who check with the register will remove your father's details from marketing lists and databases. You can register via www.thebereavementregister.org.uk or by telephone on 01732 460 000.