Can you help spread the word about free debt advice?

Former_StepChange_Laura

Hi everyone,

January can be a tough time of year. Up and down the country, people are receiving their first credit card statements after Christmas, and payday still seems a long way away.

We predict that next Monday will be our busiest day of the year. On that day alone, we expect over 20,000 people will seek debt advice from us over the phone or online, reporting £50m worth of debt.

And with 21m people around the UK struggling to pay their bills, those are just the people who know where to turn.

What if you could let those struggling with debt know that free debt advice is available?

Next Monday we, along with our clients, partners and supporters, are using a platform called Thunderclap to help spread the word. Thunderclap lets you post a message via Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr at the same time on the same date.

Visit our Thunderclap campaign page – it only takes a few minutes to sign up and choose the social media account you’d like the message to be posted from. At 8.30am on Monday our message about free debt advice will be posted on your social media account automatically.

You never know who you might be helping. You could reach a friend or family member without even knowing they’re struggling with debt.

Thanks in advance,

StepChange_James
StepChange_Rachel
StepChange_Jen
StepChange_Laura
StepChange_Rory

fermi

Already done here.

sourcrates

Will also do that later today.

Excellent idea, many people find there way here to this forum after first using a fee charging company.

Ten years ago I was one of those people.

Certainly would not of signed up to anything had I known about the free alternative.

Edit, just signed up now.

Nargleblast

Happy to do so as a former Stepchange customer.

fermi

Saying this, I must admit that I dislike the StepChange attitude that you refuse or balk at excluding any debts that are 'enforcible' in a DMP. That smacks of rather sanctimonious, and moralistic attitude, rather than that 100% genuinely trying to act in the best interests of 'clients'.

That is probably a slight error in policy rather than something fundamental.

sourcrates

fermi wrote: »

Saying this, I must admit that I dislike the StepChange attitude that you refuse or balk at excluding any debts that are 'enforcible' in a DMP. That smacks of rather sanctimonious, and moralistic attitude, rather than that 100% genuinely trying to help clients.

That is probably a slight error in policy rather than something fundamental.

I'd agree with you on that one.

If an account is clearly unenforcable, and the creditor has admitted as much, these debts should be excluded from any debt solution.
To really help clients, these things should be factored in to your Buisness model, it's changes such as this that can make a real difference to people's everyday lives.

ladymarmalade222

Totally agree, hence the reason I am helping my sister do a self managed DMP instead of Stepchange who she has been with for the past few years.

A few weeks before Xmas one of her creditors issued paperwork for a CCJ on a debt of just £2000 even though it has been regularly paid on a DMP for years. She panicked and phoned Stepchange who told her to fill out the paperwork to admit and send it straight to solicitor involved - handing them the CCJ on a plate.

I was so angry as the default was due to fall off her file in a few months and now she has a CCJ for another 6 years. Turns out it was a pre 2007 and it has been passed about so much there is probably no paperwork.

I wish she had come to me for help and not called Stepchange. We have now done the letters for cca's and hopefully do F&F for the debts which are enforceable.

xx

fermi

ladymarmalade222 wrote: »

Totally agree, hence the reason I am helping my sister do a self managed DMP instead of Stepchange who she has been with for the past few years.

A few weeks before Xmas one of her creditors issued paperwork for a CCJ on a debt of just £2000 even though it has been regularly paid on a DMP for years. She panicked and phoned Stepchange who told her to fill out the paperwork to admit and send it straight to solicitor involved - handing them the CCJ on a plate.

I was so angry as the default was due to fall off her file in a few months and now she has a CCJ for another 6 years. Turns out it was a pre 2007 and it has been passed about so much there is probably no paperwork.

I wish she had come to me for help and not called Stepchange. We have now done the letters for cca's and hopefully do F&F for the debts which are enforceable.

xx

Could not agree more.

Have seen so many such CCJ successfully defended, that StepChange's default position of always prostrate you before the credit/debt purchaser to bet for mercy is a very misguided response.

They should at least ascertain the fact regarding the legal enforceability of the debt before proceeding

ladymarmalade222

Oh and they added on over £600 in interest and £200 in legal fees - on a £2000 debt. Nice!

Sorry still really angry

ladymarmalade222

It may have something to do with how they are funded

fermi

Can't say I can recall of stepchange ever challenging charges?