Which? Investigates

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We've taste tested hundreds of Christmas staples to find the very best food and drink, and awarded our favourites the coveted Which? Best Buy award. Today, we reveal the very best mince pies, champagne and roast potatoes that you should be buying this Christmas. Plus, we're joined by Ben Ebbrell from Sorted Food who gives us the very best advice on how to avoid a nightmare in the kitchen on the big day. Read more about how to prep for Christmas dinner & sign up for our free monthly Food & Health newsletter. Get 50% off a Which? membership.

Storing your data in the cloud has become part and parcel of our everyday lives. But we think Apple has been trapping their customers into using iCloud, rather than making it clear that other, perhaps cheaper, options are available. Which? Lawyer Lisa Webb joins Harry Kind to explain more about why we're taking Apple to court, and why you could be in line for a payout. Read more about our legal action against Apple & sign up for our free monthly Tech newsletter. See if you could be eligible for a payout. Get 25% off a Which? Tech membership until 8 January 2025.Get 50% off a Which? membership.

There's a chance that, while scrolling online, you'll have seen a video of a celebrity trying to get you to part with your cash. The problem is, a lot of these videos are fake and have been made with artificial intelligence. Today we reveal the story of our investigation into a financial scam all linked in a tangled web of fraud.This investigation is into the Quantum AI scam network, not Google's initiative to build quantum computing that has the same name.Read more about our investigation & sign up for our free monthly Tech newsletter. Listen to the Which? Shorts episode on deepfake technology.Get 25% off a Which? Tech membership until 8 January 2025.Get 50% off a Which? membership.

Our lives are becoming ever smarter, with so many everyday tech products in our home coming with smart elements as standard. But new Which? research has revealed that many of these devices demand far more personal data than they need to. So what can you do to limit this? Read more about our investigation & sign up for our free monthly Tech newsletter. Get 25% off a Which? Tech membership until 8 January 2025.Get 50% off a Which? membership.

High speed joyrides, petty theft, and damaged cars. That was our experience of airport car parking operators when we went undercover to expose the truth. We reveal our findings and tell you which companies we'd recommend you use when you leave your car at the airport. Read more about our investigation & sign up for our free monthly Travel newsletter. Get 25% off a Which? Travel membership until 8 January 2025.Get 50% off a Which? membership.

Over the last few years, we've seen inflation rising to record levels, meaning prices on everything we buy have been going through the roof. Today we exclusively reveal some of the Great Value products we think you should buy - something you'd only usually find out if you were a Which? member. Read our full reviews of the products we recommend: tumble dryer, dishwasher, dehumidifier, television, mattress.Read about more ways to save money & sign up for our free monthly Deals newsletter. Get 50% off a Which? membership.

Saving money on energy bills is something we think about every winter, but a brand new tool from us here at Which? has made it even easier to work out how you can save. And are heat pumps the answer to long term savings? We explore their strengths and weaknesses. Use our new home energy planning service & sign up for our free monthly Sustainability newsletter. Get 50% off a Which? membership.

Whether you're picking up a neighbour's sofa off Facebook, bidding on antiques on eBay or ordering a personalised cereal bowl from Etsy, you, and millions of others, are actually using an Online Marketplace. They're a brilliant way to connect buyers and sellers but a recent Which investigation has found they're also a hotbed of dangerous products. So what can you do to ensure what you're buying is safe? Read more about our investigation, and find out what the companies had to say. You can also read B&Q's response here. Get 50% off a Which? membership.

Smart meters were supposed to make using energy easier. Customers could track in real time how much they were spending, and those pesky estimated bills were to be a thing of the past. And while they no doubt have many benefits when they work, government data shows that millions of people across the UK have an issue with their smart meter - and an unknown number have an in-home display that isn't working. And the worst thing is, you might not even know about it. Read more about how to solve smart meter problems & sign up for our free monthly Home newsletter. Get 50% off a Which? membership.

When you hear the word scam, you might think of a dodgy email dropping into your inbox, or maybe a badly worded text from someone pretending to be from your bank. But scams are getting more and more sophisticated, and scammers themselves are working out new ways to deceive us all. So what can you do to stay ahead of the game? Read about the latest scams we've seen & sign up for our free Scam Alerts service.Get 50% off a Which? membership & become a member of Which? Tech.

Since we set up shop in a garage in East London way back in the 60s, Which? has helped see in some important changes to the way we regulate products, especially when it comes to the safety of babies and children.Today we hear more about our work, share our advice for what to look out for when buying for the little people in your life, and explain how to avoid bringing dangerous products into your home.Check our advice for your growing family & sign up to our free family newsletter.Access our special podcast membership offer here.

Driving abroad is never the most relaxing part of a holiday. But a Which? undercover investigation has uncovered the stresses that can start before you even get hold of the keys for your rental car. So what can you do to ensure you don't get ripped off at the car hire desk? Read more about our undercover investigation & sign up for our free monthly Travel newsletter. Get 50% off a Which? membership.

When you buy a new washing machine, you expect it to last a decade. But what if the "smart" technology inside of it stops working after just three years? That's happening across so many tech products inside our homes without us even know about it, leaving us vulnerable to hackers. We explain what's going on, how you can make your products last longer, and how to keep yourself safe. Read more about brands leaving customers in the dark & sign up to our free tech newsletter.

This week we're attending The Shoddies, our very own awards presented for some of the biggest consumer let downs of the past twelve months. From disappointing service providers to useless - and in some cases downright unsafe - products, we'll be telling you the brands we think you should avoid. Read a full list of products and services we awarded Shoddy awards to. Join Which? to get the magazine delivered direct to your door.

Today we're bringing you an episode from our sister podcast Which? Shorts, giving you the best seaside towns and villages in the UK according to Which? members. We're still working away hard on the next episode of Get Answers, and it'll be dropping in your feeds on Friday this week.

Health and beauty products are a staple of our everyday life. From the toothpaste we use as soon as we wake up, to the deodorant we use after jumping out of the shower, even the hayfever tablets many of us rely on at this time of year, we're spending hundreds of pounds on stuff that helps us look, feel and smell good. But new research from Which? suggests you might be needlessly over-spending on many of your everyday products. We reveal when you can pick a bargain, and how to outsmart retailers when it comes to finding the best deals. Read our research on the own label food products that beat the big name brands.Sign up to our free Weekly Scoop, Food & Health, and Money newsletters.

Booking your next summer getaway is meant to be something to look forward to. Scrolling through the holiday websites looking at pictures of glorious pools and sandy beaches, deciding which room in the apartment has the best view over the coastline. You think you've found a great deal and then… the fees start to add up! The bargain holiday you thought you'd found is now tens, perhaps hundreds of pounds more expensive. So what can you do to beat the fees and bag a bargain for your next overseas holiday? We meet the woman who did just that as she shares her advice on how you can do the same.Check out our Which? Shorts podcast on how to prepare for your summer holiday & sign up to our free Travel newsletter.

Since launching in 2022, ChatGPT has been a game-changer in the world of AI. But it's perhaps the chatbots that companies are using for customer service where we have the most interaction with artificial intelligence. Tech author and broadcaster Chris Stokel-Walker and Which? Technology Editor Lisa Barber tell us how to beat the customer service chatbots and get the answers to our queries as fast as possible. Listen to our episode on AI scams & subscribe to our free Which? Technology newsletter.

The popularity of air fryers is booming. But are they the answer to our home cooking needs? Or are they just another fad that will fizzle out sometime soon? Sorted Food's Ben Ebbrell talks us through the best ways to use an air fryer and whether or not they can replace a traditional over. Plus, Which?'s Steph Kipling tells us how Which? puts them through the paces and what to look for when making a purchase. Read our list of the best air fryers.

Social media is swarming with fake tickets for popular music concerts, sports contests and comedy gigs, and just recently it was reported Taylor Swift fans have lost an estimated £1m in ticket scams ahead of the UK leg of her Eras tour.With further calls for increased regulation in the industry, we meet the man taking the fight to the scammers and secondary ticketing websites. We also explain how you can go about spotting a scam, and how to attempt to recover money you've lost as a result of scam activity. Sign up now to our free Scam Alert service to stay one step ahead of the scammers.

In a unique investigation, we found evidence that some of the claims made by bamboo toilet roll brands could be too good to be true. We carried out fibre-composition testing on five popular brands claiming to be made from “bamboo only” or “100% bamboo”, a fibre often touted as a green alternative to virgin paper. Samples from Bumboo, Naked Sprout and Bazoo contained very low or low levels of bamboo-like grass fibres - just 2.7%, 4% and 26.1% respectively. In this episode we discuss the results, ask how you can trust the eco-claims made by manufacturers, and explore ways you can lessen your impact on the climate by making smarter everyday purchases. Make changes for the planet and your pocket by signing up for our free monthly sustainability newsletter.

Today we'll be helping you get connected as we're joined by tech expert David McClelland and Which? magazine's Adam Snook. The team discuss what 4g and 5g even mean, how to make sure you're ready for 3G switch off and how to get the best deal Later we also get a sneak preview of the latest Which? survey into the mobile phone networks, out in May's Which? Magazine. Check out our latest Mobile network reviews and sign up to become a Which? member.

Today we'll be helping you nod off as we're joined by sleep scientist and therapist Dr Kat Lederle. The team discuss how improving your routine can help you get a more restful sleep, while we also explain the symptoms sleep apnea.Later we also hear from the testing team at Which? to find out whether you can buy yourself a good night's rest with the right mattress and pillow. Check out our latest pillow & mattress reviews (subscription required) & sign up to become a Which? member.

We're discussing the great outdoors and sharing some top tips and advice to make your next camping trip as stress-free as possible. Our experts explain the confusing jargon, and discuss the gear you really need for a hassle free and enjoyable night's sleep beneath the stars. We also discuss how we test tents, the best walks in the UK and the equipment you should consider before your next trip outdoors.Read our latest tent reviews (subscription needed) & check our our ultimate camping essentials checklist.

In the next episode of our new Get Answers podcast, we're here to help you solve those everyday problems. We discuss the results of our survey uncovering the UK's most sustainable restaurant chains, hearing what they are doing to help reduce their impact on the planet. Throughout we're also joined by home food waste expert Kate Hall as she shares her top tips on how to reduce the amount of food we send to landfill each year.Sign up to our free sustainability newsletter & find out more on how to become a Which? subscriber.

In this archive episode we discuss efforts to crackdown on criminal activity, shining a light on the often stretched resources of scam prevention teams across the country. This episode was first published in March 2023. Listen to our Get Answers podcast about the future of scams & sign up to our free scam alert newsletter.

This week on Get Answers, we're talking about the future of scams. People spend hours talking about the latest developments in tech: whether it's massive iPhone launches or breathless chat about the impact of AI, but there's a trillion dollar industry that doesn't get nearly as much attention for its constant innovation: fraud. With the help of BBC Scam Interceptors' co-host Nick Stapleton, we give you the inside scoop of the latest developments in crime, helping you become better equipped to stay one step ahead of the scammers and protect your loved ones. Sign up to our free Scam Alert newsletter & read our latest update on the most recent scam's we've been made aware of here at Which?

Today we discuss one of the biggest purchases you can make, explaining how to make sure you find a car that's right for you. We're joined by car expert and podcaster Sam Moores to give you some tips and tricks to help you when it comes to buying and selling, plus we pull back the curtain of how we test cars here at Which? and reveal the manufacturing claims you just need to take with a pinch of salt.Read our advice on how to buy the best car & become a Which? member to receive our 2024 car guide. Click here to receive our free cars newsletter.

Got a New Year resolution to try and improve your health in 2024? Today we are channeling those good intentions and seeing if smart tech can help improve your fitness. We're joined by our experts & fitness influencer Amy Jones to explain how this technology could help tell you more about your general wellbeing and how best to use them to ensure you are making the most of your device.Check out our Which? Best Buy Fitness Trackers (subscription required) & read our guide on whether you should buy a fitness tracker or a smartwatch?***Check out our latest subscription offer and sign up for a Full Access Which? membership at a 50% discount - offer only available until 31st January 2024. ***

As stats tell us that more holiday bookings happen in January than in any other month, we arm you with everything you need to know before booking your next trip.Cheapholidayexpert.com founder Chelsea Dickenson joins the team to discuss the best city breaks, staycations, and long-haul destinations to get you inspired. Check out the destinations where your pound will stretch furthest in 2024 & our advice on where's hot in January?

We're doing something a bit different on the podcast this week as we hear how Which? has been working to get answers to all manner of consumer questions for over 60 years. Inspired by the passing of Which? co-founder Dorothy Goodman, we hear from her daughter on what the early years of the organisations were really like, while current Chief Executive Anabel Holt tells us more about how we remain relevant in the present day. Read more about the life of Dorothy Goodman & subscribe to Get Answers so you don't miss our next episode.***We'll be back with our next episode on 8th January 2024 as we ask where we should be booking our next holiday? Got a question, email us podcasts@which.co.uk

Have questions? Get Answers. We're here to help you solve those everyday problems, whether it's getting the most from your weekly shop, finding travel hacks to save on your family holiday or simply learning the tricks that make your everyday life easier.Subscribe now so you don't miss an episode.

Christmas is us a few weeks away, so we're sharing all the best advice to help you stay calm over the festive season. We cover everything from who came out on top in our festive food taste tests, to where to buy the best presents, and what to gift those difficult-to-buy-for family and friends. Organisation expert and influencer Nicola Lewis also joins us to share her top tips to ensure you feel at ease during this hectic time of year. ***Read more about where to buy the best festive food & check out our latest gift guide for present ideas under £35.***Note: While we mention Facebook Marketplace might be a good place to buy gifts, however, we recently responded to reports it's the most complained about online selling platform. Read a full transcript of this episode here.

With Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, industry insider Luke Carthy joins us to share his tips to help you secure a better bargain. In this episode we learn tricks that could help you change the way shop forever and some handy hints that could save you plenty of cash.***An example of the email hack mentioned by Luke: first.lastname@gmail.com becomes firs.tlastname@gmail.com ***Listen to our Money podcast episode discussing the best way to shop on Amazon & check out our latest Black Friday deals. Download a transcript of this episode

Should you write-off all ultra-processed food as unhealthy and leave it at that? Some are linked to poor health, but we've found that the range of foods is broad and that some do have a place in a healthy diet.In this episode we hear about the foods you can eat - in moderation - and the healthy swaps you can make as part of your daily routine.

Have questions? Get Answers. Join us for fortnightly episodes as we help you solve those everyday problems, whether it's getting the most from your weekly shop, finding travel hacks to save on your family holiday or simply learning the tricks that make your everyday life easier.Subscribe now so you never miss an episode

Which? has long campaigned for greater protections for consumers from online fraudsters, and our research has regularly highlighted the detriment consumers suffer due to online fraud on unregulated online platforms. In this special episode we hear how Which? worked tirelessly to influence the new Online Safety Bill, meaning online platforms will be required to prevent and quickly remove harmful online content, and how Ofcom will now be responsible for ensuring platforms implement these changes.Read more our reaction to the new online safety laws & sign up to our weekly Scam Alert newsletter.

This week Which? experts are appearing across BBC TV & Radio to give advice as part of the BBC's 'Be Scam Safe' campaign. To mark the occasion we're giving you the chance to hear a previous episode from our Get Answers series, giving advice on how best to spot fraudulent activity and the best things to do to protect yourself from falling victim.Sign up to our free weekly Scam Alert service here

Throughout September we're bringing you special episodes as we hear from brilliant guests with amazing insider knowledge on how best to save you money. In this episode we speak to Britain's Coupon Kid as he reveals the tactics used by supermarkets to get us to spend more, and the best ways you can shop for less.Read our latest guide to the cheapest supermarkets & sign up to our free Money newsletter.

Throughout September we're bringing you special episodes as we hear from brilliant guests with amazing insider knowledge on how best to save you money. Today we're joined by property expert and developer Marta de Sousa as she shares her top tips on what to do when buying a property, and what might happen next for the mortgage market. Read our latest guide on what's happening to house prices & sign up to our free Money newsletter.

Throughout September we're bringing you special episodes as we hear from brilliant guests with amazing insider knowledge on how best to save you money. Today we're joined by Molly Lempriere, Policy Editor at news site Carbon Brief. She explains why bills have risen, whether moving to renewable energy sources could see our bills drop, and share tips and advice on how we can improve green credentials of our own homes. Read our 10 tips to reduce your energy bills & sign up to our free sustainability newsletter.

We kick off a month of special episodes as we hear from brilliant guests with amazing insider knowledge on how best to save you money. Today we're joined by Chelsea Dickenson, the founder of Cheap Holiday Expert, as she shares her top tips on how to spend less on holiday.Stay tuned for great advice on how to get the cheapest flights, the best seats on a plane, and how a travel pillow could help you beat your baggage allowance. Read our advice on the whether an all-inclusive package deal or DIY holiday is cheaper & check out all the latest news from the Which? Travel team.

With the technology never far from the headlines, we explain how ChatGPT and AI bots really work, and explain whether they could eventually prove to be a friend or foe? Read more about our submission of evidence to the Science and Technology Committee on the governance of artificial intelligence & sign up to our free newsletters.

We explore how to cut through the marketing noise to choose brands and products that take sustainability seriously.Check out our sustainable living advice hub & sign up to our free sustainability newsletter.Why not check out our other podcasts too? Find the Which? Money podcast here.

While fraudsters seem to have no trouble accessing our details, we meet the people who have had their accounts closed with little or no explanation and through no fault of their own. We also hear how they can stop you banking elsewhere, and the impact this has had on those who have fallen victim.Sign up to our free weekly Money newsletter.

In the sixth and final episode of our mini-series helping you get the answers you need to life's everyday questions, we share our expert advice on the things you can do to lower your energy usage.We discuss the future of the energy price cap, learn about the support available to help promote energy efficiency, and answer your questions from social media.Read more on the energy price cap & sign up to our free sustainability newsletter.Like what you're hearing? Use #GetAnswers on social media.

In the fifth episode of our mini-series helping you get the answers you need to life's everyday questions, we hear how you can save on the regular journeys you make each day.We discuss the best way to buy a rail ticket, learn why bus travel is more affordable than it has been for a long time, and answer your questions from social media. Read more on the best ways to save on travel in 2023Like what you're hearing? Use #GetAnswers on social media.

In the fourth episode of our mini-series helping you get the answers you need to life's everyday questions, our experts make you aware of the free support your child could be entitled to.We also discuss the free things you can do with the kids, explain how government funded support schemes are changing, and answer your questions from social media.Read 11 ways to cut your childcare costs & check out our child benefit rates calculator.Like what you're hearing? Use #GetAnswers on social media.

In the third episode of our Get Answers mini-series helping you get answers you need to life's everyday questions, we share tricks and tips to help reduce the cost of your weekly shop.We also investigate 'shrinkflation', reveal which supermarket has been crowned our cheapest supermarket for the twelfth month in a row, and answer your questions from social media. Read what supermarkets and shops are doing to help with the cost of living? & sign up to our free Food & Health newsletter.Like what you're hearing? Use #GetAnswers on social media.

In the second episode of our Get Answers mini-series helping you get the answers you need to life's everyday questions, we take a closer look at the tactics used by fraudsters.We compare scams to discover similarities in criminal behaviour, hear how the Online Safety Bill could crackdown on illegal behaviour, and answer your questions from social media.Read how to spot and protect yourself from scams, check out the latest information from Action Fraud & sign up to our free scam alerts newsletter.Like what you're hearing? Use #GetAnswers on social media.