BBC Essex - Afternoon Show - Steve Scruton On Friday, 26 March 2010

Mike will be live in the BBC studio with Steve Scruton taking calls, emails and texts on any debt problems.

You can listen to the show on 95.3 FM or 103.5 FM, DAB or on-line at BBC Essex Radio.

Email your debt query to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 01245 495050 or text: 07786 201035

LBC Debt Clinic Sunday 6 - 7pm On Sunday, 14 March 2010

Mike is due in the LBC studio with James Max at 6pm and will take calls, emails and texts on any debt problems.

You can listen to LBC on 97.3 FM or on-line at lbc.co.uk.

Email your debt query to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or phone: 0845 60 60 973 or text: 84850

BBC Essex - John Hayes on Drivetime 5.20.pm On Tuesday, 02 March 2010

Mike comments on a why he feels Individual Voluntary Arrangements are above the national average for Essex and explains how an IVA works in helping consumers resolve their debt issues.

You can hear this part of the show on the BBC iPlayer, set the counter to start at 01.17.08 and it will end at 01.22.22

BBC Essex - Dave Monk Show On Friday, 26 February 2010

Mike explains why he feels the Government’s increase in bankruptcy fees, due on April 6^th, are unjustified. He details how the Government can still earn money from bankrupts through income payment arrangements, a nil tax code and by selling cars and houses of the bankrupt. Mike covers what happens to the bankrupt if he/she borrows money with no intention of repaying it back.

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SunTalk - Internet radio arm of The Sun newspaper On Wednesday, 24 February 2010

Jon Gaunts calls up Mike for his views as he knew he was a Metropolitan Police Dog Handler before he went into debt counselling and wanted his comment on the Nottingham Police Dog Handler PC Mark Johnson. The officer had just pleaded guilty to animal gruelty after his two dogs died in his vehicle during a heatwave. Mike gives the run down on Police Dog training, how much a Police Dog is worth and what concerned him about the case.

Mike closes the show with some important news about a bank charge case being revived in Scotland and the implications this could have.

You can listen to the whole show by clicking 'launch player' to the right, if you just want to hear Mike's bit of the show then slide the counter to 53.00 and end at 01.00.53

Listen to Mike on SunTalk

BBC Three Counties - Jonathan Vernon-Smith - Consumer clinic On Thursday, 18 February 2010

Mike explains how easy it is to claim back Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) yourself without the need to employ a firm and pay additional fees. He details the two template letters you may need, both on www.debtwizard.com and what to do if the insurance provider rejects your claim.

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Mirror.co.uk - 900 families lose homes every week... and it could get worse On Friday, 12 February 2010

Mike comments on why he feels the CML figures masked the true total of repossessions which would spiral higher again this year.

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BBC Essex - Dave Monk Show On Monday, 08 February 2010

Mike was live in the studio and talking about how to deal with debt collectors chasing you for a debt that you do not owe. He details how and why you need to respond in writing and to send your letter by recorded delivery. He then offers ways of preventing this from happening again by giving tips on what letters to shred and how easily it is to look out for secure websites before inserting data.

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BBC Three Counties - Jonathan Vernon-Smith - Consumer clinic On Friday, 05 February 2010

Mike explains bankruptcy procedure, what income payments orders and bankruptcy restriction orders are. He also gives an example of how a bankrupt can still keep their home, even if it is mortgaged, and why he feels the true insolvency figures should be nearer the million mark and not 134,000 for 2009.

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BBC Essex - John Hayes on Drivetime 4.50pm On Friday, 05 February 2010

Mike explains why he feels the true insolvency figures should be nearer the million mark and not 134,000 for 2009. He then reveals that some debt advisers steer vulnerable and desperate consumers to IVAs and debt management plans so that they can earn fees, even if this is the wrong option for the consumer. He also comments on why the industry needs to be regulated and that it could happen this year.

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Times - Debt industry in disarray On Saturday, 23 January 2010

Mike is asked to comment for the Times on their article about a 73 year old pensioner who received miss-leading advice on how to resolve his debts, which demonstrated that the debt industry is in disarray.

You can read the article 'Conflicting debt advice offers no relief' at the timesonline.co.uk.

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Guardian.co.uk - live debt clinic On Monday, 18 January 2010

Live debt clinic on guardian.co.uk/money. The debt clinic was on their Money blog from 1pm on Monday, 18 January, it will stay up on the site so that people can use it for reference. On the panel of experts responding to questions were Mike Thomas aka 'Debtwizard' and the Consumer Counselling Services (CCCS).

Money blog

BBC Radio Wales - Phone in - 1.40pm On Monday, 11 January 2010

Mike was asked by Jason Mohammad whether the 'Pound shop' is really any good for consumers. What he said will surprise you!

You can hear Mike's contribution to the show on BBC Radio Wales - phone-in about 'Would you shop at Poundland?' by clicking on the 'launch player'

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LBC - Debt clinic with James Max 6 - 7pm On Sunday, 10 January 2010

Mike was live in the LBC studio at 6 pm on Sunday 10th January with James Max on a New Year debt clinic.

He managed to get through twelve phone calls to the station and delivered real no nonsense advice covering bankruptcy, IVAs, what happens to a house in a bankruptcy, how to improve your credit rating and two callers needed help on how to deal with firms chasing them for debts that were more than six years old.

More can be found on his blog dated 13th January 2010 plus details of how to listen to the LBC podcasts.

BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast 7am - 9am Festive Finances Surgery On Tuesday, 29 December 2009

Festive Finances Surgery with 5 Live. Mike was in the studio live with presenter Andrew Verity giving advice on several topics including student loans, the importance of budgeting, touching on debt options such as debt management plans, IVAs and bankruptcy. Mike gives an example when not to go bankrupt as well as  how to keep your house in a bankruptcy. You can listen to the show by launching the media player to your right.

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