Just Who is PPI Protecting?

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PPI or to give it its full name, Payment Protection Insurance is often an essential and useful protection when taking out loans or other avenues of credit, such as an overdraft. It is designed, in essence at least, to cover (as an extension or add-on to the loan) “the borrower against an accident, sickness, unemployment or death, circumstances that may prevent them from earning a salary/wage by which they can service the debt.” (Wikipedia) However, in recent years, the whole PPI issue … [Read more...]

Do You Have To Pay Debts Over 6 Years Old?

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It is possible that outstanding debts over 6 years old may not have to be repaid. Perhaps a rather complicated issue on the surface that needs some clarifying, especially if you have received any paperwork regarding the collection of debts that may have been outstanding for longer than 6 years. The answers can be unearthed by digging into the Statute of Limitations. What exactly is a statute of limitations to the many of us who speak in laymen’s terms? Wikipedia describes a statute … [Read more...]

Debt Advice Services In Crisis – Finance and Fallout

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Free debt advice services are set to be cut, other paid debt advice firms are struggling under the watchful eye of the OFT (Office of Fair Trading) in response to claims they are not operating with enough transparency and individual debt levels are soaring out of control. It seems there is going to be some rather inevitable and uncomfortable fallout in the world of debt management and finance in general, with no apparent measures in place to sweep up the mess. Debt, effects different … [Read more...]

Debt Advisors in Licence Wrangle

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Unable to prove that they were meeting the rules set by the Office of Fair Trading, 35 debt advice companies have had to surrender their licences. In addition, a further 8 companies have been given the news that their own licences will be revoked and there are other debt advice firms that are currently under review. Unlike the free debt advice services (who have recently been told that their funding is being axed), these debt management companies often charge premium fees for handing out … [Read more...]

Debt Advice Services Cut as Demand Grows

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At a time when the need for debt advice is increasing, many debt advisors are turning away those people that need the advice the most. In what seems like an endless swathe of government cuts to essential services, debt advisors have discovered that they are next in line as their funding gets cut in March 2011, with no renewal. During the course of the past five years, debt advisors have been able to hand out free debt advice thanks to a Financial Inclusion Fund which provided £25m per year. … [Read more...]

The Debt Snowball Technique

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What exactly is a debt elimitaion snowball? If we remove the word “elimination” just for a moment, we are left with a “debt snowball” which is very often what we get when we lose track or lose discipline of our spending and it may well be the reason you find yourself reading these words. A debt snowball attempts to methodically reverse the effects of personal debt and return individuals to a position of security, restoring confidence in the process. There are various ways in which the … [Read more...]

Debt Advice Demand Rises while Debate for Funding Rages

A recent study from Northern Ireland indicates that over 1,600 people recently sought debt advice on how to manage personal debt. 1,620 individuals disclosed information to Advice NI who reported that there was a total debt of £28.7 million spanning November 2009 to October 2010. Of this debt, 32% was mortgage debt at a whopping £9 million, while credit card amounts trailed at £6 million. Areas where the request for advice was highest were North Belfast, Magherafelt, East Belfast, … [Read more...]

We Do Not Cold Call

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We have recently received complaints from a number of people who were very upset having received cold calls and automated telephone calls. There seems to be some confusion over the identy of the company responsible for this. What we can say with absolute honesty is that it is not us. We never have nor ever will: Cold Call Use Automated Calling Machines The only circumstances under which we will call you are: You complete an enquriy form requesting free debt advice on this … [Read more...]

Escaping Debt – 3 Practical Suggestions for Debt Management

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We are living through an unfortunate period of time when debt is not only commonplace but where it is often underestimated and neglected. It is sometimes this neglect that can lead to what seems like a bottomless black hole. A position, whereby debt has become so deep and so endless, that we really cannot see a way out. This article will not eradicate your debt problems but it will attempt to give you a guiding light through the darkness that may have surrounded you, and hopefully … [Read more...]

Wonga.Com APR 2689%

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January is a time when many people struggle financially so it was no surprise to see an advert on TV for Wonga.Com, essentially a "PayDay Loan" company. What really struck me and promted me to take a closer look at Wonga.Com was the staggering APR quoted in the TV ad. I had to double check their website to make sure it was not a mistake, and sure enough, at time of writing Wonga.Com quote an APR of 2689%. After reading their website I found a page about the APR where Wonga.Com say "Yup, we … [Read more...]