Debt Advice Network - anyone used them?

Angiepange

Hi Tixy,

I am worried, i havent cancelled our agreement with them, i cant get any contact from them and when i ring its always ansaphone. All they initially wanted from us was us to sign a piece of paper to authorise them to speak to our creditors on our behalf which hasnt happened. They also took all our financial details too, I think i will try writing to them.

Thanks for your further advice, I have spoken to CCCS and Nat Debtline. I was unable to get an appt with my local CAB as they are too busy. We are also waiting for advice from British Legion (OH an ex serviceman), unfortunately we wasted nearly 2 months waiting for help from Debt Advice Network.

We have written letters to our creditors now as we have had arrears letter and default notice and are awaiting replies, unfortunately due to our change of circumstances we are facing Bankruptcy, I just wanted to get as much advice and help as i could in case we had an alternative to this. I think this is why i am so upset with how we have been treated. Its hard enough dealing with redundancy,illness and huge drop of income and when someone comes to your home (Debt Advice Network field worker) and tells you not to worry anymore because you will get real advice and assistance and help to find a solution to your debt problems you grab it with both hands. I wish we had never been so gullible.

Angie

Angiepange

Hi all,

Just an update, i emailed the guy from Debt Advice Network who originally came to house, asking him to return all our documents and told him wanted nothing more to do with them!

He apologised for way we have been treated by DAN, said he would make a complaint and told us he doesnt get paid to come out to home and try and help people in our situ. Oh well i spose i have to put it down to experience and move on.

Same day got call from RMA to speak to hubby. Asked them who they were and was told Risk Management Authorities then had a look on here (they are a DCA) and other people havent had a great experience dealing with them.

Have sent letters ourselves to creditors but not getting good response. Didnt think we could feel much lower _pale_

Angiepange

Update,

Had a reply to my email from Debt Advice Network on 27 July 2009 expressing concern at our treatment and they were just waiting on info re our experience before they would be in contact.

Well here we are now 25th Sept 2009 and im still waiting for a response and an explanation. All I can say is what a con this outfit are and my advice would be, dont touch with a bargepole!!

obipiekenobi

Angie I am really sorry to hear that your still on the short end of the stick with these guys. if its any 'comfort' its not just you. as mentioned i was given my areas in spring this year and have had one guy refered onto me who lives MILES away from my area. I went to see him and did everything i should have done. this was first week in september (he had made contact with them 3 weeks before i got the referal) and still hasnt had anything done on his behalf!

for 2 weeks in september "most of the staff were at the TUC conference..." so nothing was done in september! appaently they have taken on more staff but my clients case hasnt been worked on since september, great when your having threatening letters and phone calls from lenders each day!

I am incredulous at how they treat people and will shortly be reporting them to the charity comission.

Angiepange

Thanks so much for your reply

I never did get a response to my email. I sent in a complete log of emails and phone calls between myself and adviser detailing all the info that passed between us and most times and dates I tried to get through to their head office to no avail.

Their involvement had a detrimental effect on our dealings with our creditors at the time and added a huge amount of stress to an already difficult situation.

Tixy

After all this time they are still treating you terribly and your creditors are probably as fed up with them as you are. I personally would give and instead advise you to speak to one of the organisations recommended on here - see this link http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help

Angiepange

Thankyou Tixy

I have since done that and received excellent advice from the CAB.

Just wished I had approached them in the first place and not wasted so much time waiting for Debt Advice Network to help us. Still you live and learn!!

obipiekenobi

another update on this shower
they are asking people for additional Professional Indemnity Insurance. This is a joke MP's are now getting involved.
clients details are being deleated with them still in need of charitable assistance
these people need shutting down!!

sunnydais

heck Angie what a tough experience.....you weren't naivie by the way, how were you to know the organisation would be such a major let down. This forum has been wonderful for advice and mutual support...I was about to sign up with a debt management company who would only help after I paid them a months fee upfront...I discovered CCCS on here and they have been so helpful...this is my first month on the DMP

Hope your fortunes improve now sounds like you have had a stressful and nerve wracking time
BIG HUG!

Angiepange

obipiekenobi wrote: »

another update on this shower
they are asking people for additional Professional Indemnity Insurance. This is a joke MP's are now getting involved.
clients details are being deleated with them still in need of charitable assistance
these people need shutting down!!

Hi

Couldnt agree more from an ex clients point of view!! Again willing to help if I can and sorry you are experiencing problems with them, but I am not suprised, there must be more people out there who have relied on them for debt advice/assistance and been let down badly as we were.

sunnydais wrote: »

heck Angie what a tough experience.....you weren't naivie by the way, how were you to know the organisation would be such a major let down. This forum has been wonderful for advice and mutual support...I was about to sign up with a debt management company who would only help after I paid them a months fee upfront...I discovered CCCS on here and they have been so helpful...this is my first month on the DMP

Hope your fortunes improve now sounds like you have had a stressful and nerve wracking time
BIG HUG!

Thanks for your kind words sunnydais and I am so pleased you have received good help and advice from CCCS. We used them too at the time, amongst others (CAB, National Debtline) and they were very informative. Good luck with your DMP.


Angie x