My Bailiff Advice want my Clearscore login details

ConcernedDebtor

Hi everyone!

So I have debt, an unpleasant amount. I'm being hounded by a particularly unscrupulous collections agency who are refusing to set up a payment plan with me.

For this reason I have approached representatives from a "stop bailiffs now" service from a company called "My Bailiff Advice".
During our phone call they sounded very helpful, friendly and like they were in a position to assist us in tackling ALL our debts akin to a debt consolidation loan.

However, this is where things get suspicious.

Near the end of our call I was told that I would need to sign up for a credit check from Clearscore. I checked the company out and, whilst seemingly not the pinnacle of credit check services according to reviews, it seemed legitimate.
On top of merely signing up for a credit check, this debt advice company wants me to provide them with the username and password I created for my clearscore account so that they may access the account to review my credit history/score
This sounded a little off to me.

I can find little to no information about My Bailiff Advice online, save for what's on their website.

This, coupled with the following excerpt from the Clearscore T&C's has me extremely worried:

"5.3 You may access and use our website and our Services only for your personal use on your own behalf and not on behalf of anyone else. You must not engage another person, company, partnership or other entity to access our website or our Services on your behalf. You must not order, or attempt to order, credit information about anyone else through our website."

Please can any of you advise if this is standard/acceptable? Do companies like My Bailiff Advice actually provide help?
Do Clearscore allow such agencies to be provided with your login details as an exception to term 5.3?

Does it sound like I'm in the process of being ripped off?

Sorry for the long post, any help will be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Ilona

Sorry, can't answer your questions, but just wanted to say, don't do anything until the people in the know come along. Very clever people on here, they will guide you through it.

Ilona

Arleen

Instead of calling some shady debt company, try one of the established debt charities like https://www.stepchange.org/

tallyhoh

"During our phone call they sounded very helpful, friendly and like they were in a position to assist us in tackling ALL our debts akin to a debt consolidation loan"

I would be just as concerned about the above, are they trying to offer you a debt consolidation loan?

And NO!, no way should you give anyone your logon details

National_Debtline

Hi ConcernedDebtor


My advice - avoid like the plague. Certainly do not sign up to anything.


You need some impartial and free guidance at this stage, not a service that will charge you fees on top of the existing debt(s) you are already trying to tackle.


Please contact the likes of Citizens Advice, Stepchange or indeed us.


Dennis
@natdebtline

Consumerist

ConcernedDebtor wrote: »

So I have debt, an unpleasant amount. I'm being hounded by a particularly unscrupulous collections agency who are refusing to set up a payment plan with me. . .

Hi ConcernedDebtor, I had directed you to this board from your other post but glad to see you found it for yourself.

I would repeat the advice above, do not agree to anything with this company who is chasing you. :eek:

Get impartial advice from a reputable free agency such as StepChange, Citizens Advice, etc.

ConcernedDebtor

Hello all!

Thank you so much for the prompt and informative responses, they are greatly appreciated.

You've all confirmed my fears so I'll be avoiding all of the companies I have contacted to date, going forward.

I did, during the call, give the agent my NI number and previous address details etc - should I be concerned?

I have now contacted Step Change as-per the advice here, they certainly seem like a more legitimate organisation.
NO idea how they weren't on my radar already!

sourcrates

ConcernedDebtor wrote: »

I have now contacted Step Change as-per the advice here, they certainly seem like a more legitimate organisation.
NO idea how they weren't on my radar already!

These debt management companies pay large sums of money to search engines such as Google so they get put at the top of the list in search results.

The debt charities don't have that kind of advertising budget, so appear lower down the list.

Remember, a fee charging debt management company will always try to sell you something, as they are commercial companies, they have no real interest in you personally.

Debt charities and sites such as National debt-line, wont do that.