debt situation is spiralling out of control

[R99]

My girlfriends debt situation is spiralling out of control and we want to use the govt legislationt to take control of the situation. There are lots of companies on the net who offer help, but we want to use a free Charity for this. Can anyone please point us in the right direction to find a good quality, reliable and non fee charging charity who offer this service? We need advice on the best thing to do next (IVA, Debt Management Plan etc etc?) but we want to speak with a reputable organisation about this.

Please, can someone point us in the right direction??

Many thanks in advance for your help!

[Phil]

http://www.melaniegiles.com/
p

[OPTIMIST12]

Speaking only from my own experience - I found the CCCS (Consumer Credit Counselling Service) to be very helpful and informative when I first started looking for a solution. They set out all the options for me and sent me lots of written information to read through.

[pixie]

You could also try the CAB. It's usually best to get a few different opinions before deciding on the best course of action for yourselves.

[Reviva UK]

The charitable companies won't charge for a debt management plan, however they will charge the market rate for an IVA.

In the first instance as you have found the forum you are better speaking to someone held in high regard here. So would suggest either Melanie or Ian.

Then you know what solution to take and where to go from there.

[Adam Davies]

Hi R99
The CCCS and Payplan are the two 'charities' that may be able to help you.
Regards

[Andrew Graveson]

Hello,

CCCS and Payplan provide "free" debt management plans.

CCCS is a charity funded mainly by creditor organisations.

Payplan is a company with a different business model to most DMP companies. They are paid by creditors in return for returning money to them via debt management plans.

[elizabethr]

Payplan - there has been differing opinions re payplan on the forum. Some find them fine but I am one that thought they were awful, didn't give me proper advice, didn't tell me what my options were, were very patronising, said they didn't allow for certain things which I have found out since is not right and all in all the conversation was dreadful and I ended up nursing a bottle of southern comfort all night!!!!!

[kirsty1]

Hi - I personally have chosen a fee-charging company for my DMP. I can get through to them whenever I ring and speak to a senior advisor, and also, the budget isnt quite so strict. A few people have said that they have found the charity organisations' budgets to be too hard to keep to. I asked if I were allowed to budget for a night out and was told no, by one. So i'd have to stay in my house for the next five years, bar going to work. (I know I'm debt but I cant be expected to also be a recluse). Anyway, good luck with whatever you do.