Consumer Counseling Services

GhostHunter_3

Hi

A friend of my mum-in-laws has advised us to contact The Consumer Counseling service and ask them to help us deal with our debt crisis.

She says their a charity who take over the repayments for us and we just pay them one payment (a month I presume). A friend of hers used them a few months ago when they fell into financial difficulty and she says they helped her frine a lot and were very positive and good.

Has anyone heared of these people and are they any good?

Why are they any better than any other debt agency?

Its not that I am doubting the recomendation but I thought I would check it out on MSE first before giving them a call.

Do they have a website I can look at first, I shall search and see but if anyone knows of it or has used them I would be greatful for any links or advice.

Thanks

:question:

thefoolonthehill

the cccs are pretty good and they wont charge you a penny for their advice. If you take out a dmp they will also not charge you anything for this. most debt companies will charge you for the priviledge of their advice - some in the region of £1k they will also take money every month for themselves rather than pay this off your debt.

Payplan also do this foc.

madduck

I'm a CCCS client and I've always found them to be really helpful. They do have a website - you'll find the link to it from the top of this page. (Consumer Credit Counselling Service in yellow type).

They provide impartial and free advice and assistance. If you either ring them up or go through the link on the website - they will give advice on the best course of action for your particular circumstances.

Hope this helps.

GhostHunter_3

I did a search online and it came up with lots of different CCS links so I am confused now which one it is. Especially as I called the number I was given by mum-in-laws friend and it said "sorry this numer is no longer in use". But it was an 0845 number not 0800

Does anyone know how they work and if its going to affect out crdit score and future if we go ahead with it (although I know if we dont do something now to help ourselves we will be worse off than going this path and slowly repairing any bad credit we pick up with help) at the moment our credit score history isnt too bad and we have no 'bad marks' or defauts or CCJ's agains either me or husband.

Thanks

dancingfairy

If you post up an Statement of Affairs (see Southern Scousers sticky post for first time posters) we may be able to give you some advice and see what the best course of action is. We may be able to help save you some money.

GhostHunter_3

I looked at the website and completed the questionaire but when I submitted it the reply was "sorry as you are currently self employed we cannot help you at the moment". Then it gives me a 0800
number to call but im scared to call up as not sure whats going to happen

CLAPTON

the two free agencies are these: you will find phone numbers on the websites. they will give free advice without any obligation

http://www.cccs.co.uk/

http://www.payplan.co.uk/


they will ask you for a statement of affairs
if you wish to post one here people will be able to advice
for details see
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280

fatbelly

GhostHunter wrote:

I did a search online and it came up with lots of different CCS links so I am confused now which one it is.

It's a worrying trend that there are lots of sharks out there who mimic web addresses for CCCS, Payplan and National Debtline.

Use the links from this site. They're at the head of this page

Brassicks

CCCS are great.....i do believe even though a charity,they make there money from intrest earned on the money you pay them...but good for them

CLAPTON

the following is from the CCCS website:

CCCS is funded and supported entirely by the credit industry. It is this totally unique mechanism that allows CCCS to provide its services totally free to consumers.

From it's original founders, primarily major lenders, CCCS now has the support of the credit industry and associated organisations. Over half of the people who contact CCCS are recommended to do so by their creditors. These are companies who take a responsible and sympathetic view when customers experience financial difficulties and work closely with CCCS to ensure a realistic, practical solution is achieved.

CCCS is able to provide its supporters with valuable research and management information that allows them to lend responsibly and help their customers use credit wisely. An additional benefit for supporters is the value CCCS can add to their profile, not only with the media, who regularly contact us for quotes and comment, but also government, where we work closely with consumer focus groups and consultation matters, which affect the credit industry. If you would like further information on supporting CCCS please contact us.