|
Debt clinic on SunTalk, 11am Friday, 25th September
 Mike Thomas, 'aka' the DebtWizard, will be joining Gaunty live in the SunTalk studio answering your questions about debt.
This is your opportunity to get some real no-nonsense advice on how to get in control of your debts.
See if the DebtWizard can answer your question by clicking on our easy to use submit a question, or you can send your queries to gaunty@suntalk.co.uk or text 87131 or call 020 33 64 7000 and get the advice live on SunTalk. SunTalk will create a separate pod cast of Mike's part on the show.
Click here to find out how to listen to previous and future shows of SunTalk.
|
|
Consumers urged to find alternative payment methods due to post strike
With an estimated 20 million letters and parcels waiting to be cleared in the postal system it is inevitable that some credit card and store card statements and payments will be late.
This means that many thousands of consumers will be hit with additional charges which are not their fault.
DebtWizard has found a way round this and gives some very good advice on how to avoid those late payment penalties, here.
|
OFT weighs into Total Fitness over membership agreements
Total Fitness UK has agreed to revise its membership agreements for customers following intervention by the OFT.
The health club operator, which has 24 clubs in the UK, has given undertakings that it will change its terms and conditions to comply with the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations.
So what went on? More on this article can be found here.
|
Government reviews the workings of Debt Service Industry
The government has launched a consultation about the way debt management companies work with an announcement of their findings due early next year. The consultation is looking at three options.
Due to the current debt crisis in the UK the fee charging firms have seen a massive increase in demand for their services because the non fee-charging firms, of which there are only two, are swamped and can take longer to set up debt management plans.
DebtWizard will be participating in the consultation and will update members in further emails. More on this article can be found here.
See our DebtWizard guide to debt management companies.
|
Individual Voluntary Arrangements, IVAs: know your onions
Individual Voluntary Arrangements, IVAs, can be a very useful tool when resolving your debt issues, but you really need to know the advantages and disadvantages.
To help you we have detailed the pros and cons as well as answers to what happens to interest on the debts, your home, your car, how the voting works and whether a lender can change their mind, and much more.
All can be found at DebtWizard guide to Individual Voluntary Arrangements
|
Ofcom calls a halt to mobile mis-selling
Communicator regulator Ofcom has today announced measures to stop mis-selling of mobile phone contracts after a previous voluntary code failed to lead to a significant reduction in complaints.
Do youu think you may have been mis-sold? If so then look at the examples of mis-selling complaints received by Ofcom and find out what to do if your complaint is rejected.
More on this article can be found here.
|
Bank charges - are RBS & NatWest jumping before they are pushed?
 RBS & NatWest are to cut bank charges for their 12.5 million current account holders with effect from 1 October 2009, but are they jumping before they are pushed and is it enough?
What ever the reason this is good news for the consumer but all the banks need to do more to help those that have been caught up in the nightmare of charges for which some never recover.
With the Supreme High Court about to rule on this case, and many believe in favour of the OFT, one has to ask, 'is it worth joining the queue?' You can read more on this article here.
Bank charges - thinking of entering a claim? See the Debtwizard 'Reclaiming Charges Tool'.
Credit card charges - important as this ruling does not affect credit card charges. See our much acclaimed Debtwizard 'Reclaiming Credit Card Charges Tool' which helps you add up your charges and which creates a personalised letter to print out and send to your credit card issuer.
|
Debt Collection Guidelines
Lenders and debt recovery firms have to adhere to certain guidelines when dealing with consumers.
Just click on following to understand more about your consumer rights;
Credit Services Association (CSA) Debt Collection Guidelines
Credit Services Associations (CSA) List of Members
Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Debt Collection Guidelines
|
LBC Debt Clinic for London
Mike was recently in the LBC studio holding a debt clinic for London with James Max.
He covered how to deal with old debts that are statute barred, Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), an update on the bank charges case and answered calls, texts and emails.
This was another fascinating debt clinic! You can listen to the show by signing up to the LBC pod cast then look for the title 'Boris calls home' under 13th September 2009. Boris Johnson was also on the show!
|
|
|
If you feel your finances are out of control we can help.
Mike personally reviews cases and has a small support team that can help provide a professional perspective on any issues you're having. Whether it's unmanageable ongoing bills, debt problems, mortgage arrears or home repossession - England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, Debtwizard.com can help you take control.
Call us or email in the strictest of confidence: 0845 225 0025 or complete the rapid response form.
|
