www.iva.co.uk

Hi
I met Sam Mond at the recent Debt Resolution Forum and we had a quick chat about the Clearcash card.

Here is Sam's summary of the cards benefits

"We have designed the product so that our clients can track their monthly spend and avoid crippling bank charges, and late payment fees and progress to what we like to call “Intelligent Money Management.”
We have a special tool called the BudgetMaster which is the main core of the ClearCash product (never been seen in the industry). One can plan their monthly spend within this, categorise transactions, and identify where overspending is taking place and also identify where cut backs can be made, and funds dedicated to other categories or even as seen by our current clients, put some money away for special occasions (Im guessing our current clients are saving for Christmas).
In addition we have a full Purchase Protection Package whereby only 1 other prepaid card offers this – again in the current climate; we see this as vital to have to protect our clients.
We are a very easy to use provider with a number of top up options available at PayPoint, Post Office and also via BACS – wages can be sent on to the card direct by the employer.
In addition, by opening a ClearCash icount, you will benefit from the following:
• Prepaid MasterCard with personalised icount
• Full online bill payment facility
• Standing orders and bank transfer facility
• Purchase Protection, Price Protection and Extended Warranty package – one of the only prepaids to offer this
• Poor credit history, Bankrupt, IVA, DMP, CCJ – no problem – everyone is accepted – there is no credit check
• Not overdraft or late payment fees
• Access to the “BudgetMaster” – our unique tool to help track your financial movements
• Downloadable education packs detailing money saving tips and ways to cut your bills by up to 40%
• Free financial health check by an insolvency advisor – advice on where to cut back and prevent overspending
• Access to www.clearcashback.co.uk – discount shopping site online to save those extra pounds
• Balance available via SMS for free
• Email reminders when insufficient funds in icount to cover an upcoming standing order
• Unique FAQ page – whole new website dedicated to FAQ’s – also has blogs, client reviews and vodcast with the ClearCash team – not hiding behind corporate logos – transparency!
• Numerous avenues to contact – telephone, email, post and also Livechat through our website"


I have previously posted details of the Tuxedo card after interviewing their MD so am happy to post this info about the Clearcash card so to keep a balanced forum

Regards

Could you also do the same about the Secure Trust card please Andy, as I thing that this had additional benefits of which forum members ought to be made aware.

Hi Mel
Sure, do you have a brief summary of the card that you can email me ?
Regards

Better than that Andy - I will get the main account manager to e-mail you the details tomorrow.

Hi
Sounds good
Regards

The one thing I don't like about the Clearcash card is the fact that it doesn't do Direct Debits and the vast majority of my bills are paid by that method.

Plus, it costs and at the moment my banking is free and until such time as I have to pay I will stick with my free account.

With apologies to Mel as I know she recommends the Secure Trust one which also charges.

Im with you Jan

I agree with you Jan and Lisa. I don't see the point of not being able to have direct debits, it would make life far too difficult!

Also I would object to paying for an account, especially when you can still get free accounts.

Even so, if the Co-op started charging I would stay with them.

If I had to pay it would be for a bank with DD facilities.

i never understand why people shoud go for these cards.

In my iva i got a visa electron, less than 12 months after i have a visa card and a visa debit card and the beuty is not one of them costs me a penny

Jan

I don't recommend any paying current account banking, whilst free facilities still exist, my prediction is however that this will be a thing of the past in the not too distant future, and if this happens then I think the Secure Trust account represents the best account out there for people with financial difficulties.

I looked into the ClearCash card,but the lack of direct debits put me off. I would like an additional account,MR R being paid 4 weekly does make budgeting and direct debits very difficult.We want a bills account really.

Can you get a Co-op card AR? or a second account from Natwest or a bank who don't seem to mind IVA's?

I'm with Natwest Step Account and have to say I'm more than happy with it.

Mel, out of the Secure Trust or Clearcash accounts, I would choose the Secure Trust one because it does do DD's and if you can't get an account elsewhere then I think it may be ideal.

As and when the banks start charging, I shall look into other accounts.

I agree with Lesley AR - have a look at Co-op or Yorkshire Bank, they may be able to help you.

The thing I have noticed is that it seems tricky to have an additional account, I have looked into it before, and they want t the wages paid into the account etc.We don't want or need another current account, but another account where we can just pay a 4 weekly standing order to cover all bills and then have direct debits from there. It was the 4 weekly pay thing that caused a lot of problems in the past with us being late for DDs and incurring fees and charges. You would think a national, big employer would be able to manage monthly pay,wouldn't you!?!