www.iva.co.uk

I would just like to put forward a controversial - but I think realistic - point of view.

Given the high numbers of people now seeking the debt solution provided by an IVA I think we must all accept that a small minority of these will seek to exaggerate their expenditure or present a "sob story" when initially approaching their IVA provider. As with benefit claimants / insurance claims / rich tax avoiders / inside share dealers / expense claimants etc. there will always be that minority who are less than honest and seek to benefit at the expense of the honest majority.

So if an IVA provider comes across as harsh or seems to be unreasonable please remember that they must have a very tough job to do in deciding when something is above board or when there may be some unfair "massaging" going on. They may have had to listen to someone "trying it on" just before speaking with you!!!

By posting on this forum I think people are showing an honourable desire to receive good and honest advice. But I am sure that all the professionals must have encountered clients who would never dream of posting here and where they think Hmmmmm....something wrong here.

So - basically - if your IP / IVA Company seems a bit tough - remember that they are professionals and have a tough job to do in pleasing all sides!!!!

Not controversial at all in my opinion but a little spooky???

I was having the very same conversation a little while ago with other posters/experts.

The honest answer is that we try and take people at face value and will bend over backwards to help if we can, but, as Optimist points out, there are cases where people lie/exaggerate/underestimate and are sometimes just plain desperate to try and get to where they think they want to be.
Mostly, we can sniff it out but occasionally someone will slip the net.

Ultimately, though, there is no one to blame but those that submit wrong information.

a good point well made.

in all aspects of life there will always be someone who takes advantage. Im glad ive found this site as its refreshing to hear the comments of some good honest, genuine people who have made mistakes in life but TAKE RESPONSIBILTY.

It is very hard to exaggerate your expenditure as most main expenses have to be proved i.e rent/mortgage payments,council tax,utility bills.
IVAs have been around a long time now and IPs are pretty clued up!
IVAs are so tight financially that I doubt anyone is really milking the system and living the life of luxury.
Im sure there are thousands of benefit cheats out there raking in thousands a month from non existant children etc who are hurting us all more by raising our taxes, taxes we have to still pay even whilst in an IVA.

An interesting point. Can an IP exercise professional opinion and refuse to take on a client if he or she believes reckless spending is the cause of the debt problem? Or is this making some kind of moral judgement on people?

Have any IPs done this?

Debbie

Hi Debbie
I think as with all things there will always be someone trying to beat or abuse the system. The main thing is hopefully it is kept to a minimum.
I would say an IP has the ultimate decision as to whether or not to propose for a client, if they are not happy with anything at all.
I must say I too sent proof of all expenditure when sending in my I and e. Also if they inflate at the beginning they will not be able to ask for rises as these have to be shown by receipts or statements, certainly with my company I have had to do so.

Ang

We are not here to judge, we are here to enable financial repayment to occur to creditors, and allow financial rehabilitation for our clients.

However, we would reserved judgement on a client with a poor track record of commitment, as this could be indicative of future conduct. I recently turned away a self-employed client who was habitually rude to my staff and refused to travel to my offices for a face to face meeting. That is a sign of non-commitment in my book, and sometimes you have a feeling that you just don't want to act - thankfully it rarely occurs.

And IP's are known to have the noses of bloodhounds, so if something does not feel quite right it generally isn't!