Credit and Debt Counselling in the UK
Consumer debt:
Consumer debt in the United Kingdom is a major problem, both socially and individually. There is nothing we can do about the social problem, but individuals can take action to prevent and overcome their own debt problems. While UK citizens may be unlucky to live in a society where debt is a commonplace, they are also fortunate in the way that consumer debt and credit counseling services have evolved to address the problem.
Those individuals who begin to find their personal debts overwhelming and cause great concern may decide that they should seek help through credit counseling. Often, however, they would have benefited from the advice of a counselor much earlier. There is still a stigma attached to debt, insolvency and bankruptcy in the United Kingdom, and bankruptcy laws are very hard compared to some states in the United States. This can be a contributing factor in discouraging people from taking action and sharing their situation with others.
Such reluctance is a shame, but even so, thousands of people seek advice on debt or credit one way or another every month in the UK. Fortunately, once they have made the decision to seek advice, they have a good selection of sources of advice. It is important to note that there are several free debt counseling services, so there is really no need to be tempted by any request from debt assessors that they will charge.
The Citizens Advice Bureau [http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/] (CAB) deals with many types of consumer advice, but debt counseling has become an important area for them in the last two decades, since the British have slipped in usual debt problems.
The CAB provides a complete and free service through its specially trained consumer debt counselors, who will deal with your creditors on your behalf once you provide all the necessary details of your debts. I know three people who have used CAB's debt advice and I am very happy with it.
Those individuals who begin to find their personal debts overwhelming and cause great concern may decide that they should seek help through credit counseling. Often, however, they would have benefited from the advice of a counselor much earlier. There is still a stigma attached to debt, insolvency and bankruptcy in the United Kingdom, and bankruptcy laws are very hard compared to some states in the United States. This can be a contributing factor in discouraging people from taking action and sharing their situation with others.
Such reluctance is a shame, but even so, thousands of people seek advice on debt or credit one way or another every month in the UK. Fortunately, once they have made the decision to seek advice, they have a good selection of sources of advice. It is important to note that there are several free debt counseling services, so there is really no need to be tempted by any request from debt assessors that they will charge.
Here are four free debt counseling services in the UK that you can consider:
1. Office of citizen advice.
The Citizens Advice Bureau [http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/] (CAB) deals with many types of consumer advice, but debt counseling has become an important area for them in the last two decades, since the British have slipped in usual debt problems.
The CAB provides a complete and free service through its specially trained consumer debt counselors, who will deal with your creditors on your behalf once you provide all the necessary details of your debts. I know three people who have used CAB's debt advice and I am very happy with it.
2. National debt line
National Debtline is a telephone-based service that has existed, as a charity, since 1991. This is another free service that has evolved to meet the strong demand for debt advice. Some people may prefer the telephone and the publication to meet face-to-face with the consumer credit counselor, and this service is very popular.
3. Consumer credit counseling serviceThe Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) is also a registered charity. Its purpose is to help people with financial difficulties by providing free, independent, impartial and realistic advice; Exactly what someone with debt problems needs. The umbrella charity is called the Foundation for credit counseling.
4. Insolvency helpline
A different type of organization is the Helpline in cases of insolvency, which offers advice on debt to both consumers and businesses. It is the largest professional network of lawyers and accountants, specializing in monetary counseling, in the United Kingdom. The insolvency help line promotes the provision of independent monetary advice by regulated professional bodies in the United Kingdom, which means that debt or insolvency advisors are not only well qualified, but must follow the guidelines of their professional body
Of the four agencies above, you are sure to find one that will provide you with valuable assistance in reaching an agreement and solving your debt problems. There is absolutely no need to succumb to the publicity of those who try to take advantage of their difficulties and seek advance payments for their advice.
No comments