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Refresh Debt Services Ltd

A friend of mine had just signed up with Refresh Debt Services Ltd (Newry, Ireland) but they seem to be taking a long time to be getting things sorted out with her creditors. So I just wondered if anybody has heard of them, or had dealings with them, and if so then are they any good. I see they're registered with the FCA so I'm thinking that they are probably OK.
Thanks for any info anyone has.
Liz R
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Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
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    Lz?Kithra wrote: »
    I see they're registered with the FCA so I'm thinking that they are probably OK.

    That's a bit of a leap.

    I assume they're fee charging. Has she considered using a free debt charity?
  • Lz?Kithra
    Lz?Kithra Posts: 57 Forumite
    Thanks for the reply. Yes they do charge a fee. I suppose I just thought that as they are FCA registered there would be some sort of guarantee if they didn't do what they said they would.
    Yes, she has thought of using a debt charity, but she's not good at explaining herself, and finds it very hard to approach anyone for this type of help. She's very fragile and also there has just been a death in the family. She's under a lot of stress because she's paying Rossendale bailiffs for 2 or 3 outstanding debts. One of her debts is for Council Tax and she found a link to Refresh from a Council Tax link on the Rossendale site - although I haven't been able to find that. She said they are very nice and helpful, but as they haven't yet sorted out the position with her creditors she's now wondering if the whole thing is a scam.
    Liz R
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
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    It's not a scam. They're just not overly fast. Debt management companies don't tend to overly skilled in what they do.
  • Lz?Kithra
    Lz?Kithra Posts: 57 Forumite
    Thank you, I'll let her know and tell her to just hang on until they get it sorted out.
    Liz R
  • StokieBecks
    StokieBecks Posts: 4,997 Forumite
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    No tell her to go with a free company. Waste of time paying someone when that money could all go to the debt. Stepchange and national Debtline have trained advisors who can help her no matter what her situation. They have heard it all before . The council tax debt is a priority she must get that sorted quickly. Waiting for this company to "do their thing" could mean she is a lot further risk of action
    £2 Savers Club for 2022 #12
  • Lz?Kithra
    Lz?Kithra Posts: 57 Forumite
    I told her to do that in the first place, but she said she just wasn't up to getting all the different paperwork together and then actually speaking to them. She's been paying the bailiffs without fail for quite a while, and it's only that her earnings aren't the same each week that she's now trying to get things down to a lesser amount. So the Council Tax (and the other debts) has been sorted out as far as repaying it goes. And, she's till paying the bailiff while Refresh sort things even though they told her not to.
    Liz R
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 30,231 Ambassador
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    Lz?Kithra wrote: »
    And, she's till paying the bailiff while Refresh sort things even though they told her not to.

    That is very bad advice, council tax is a priority debt, her other debts are not, however she should be paying it at an affordable rate, not what the bailiffs are demanding.

    Please get her to contact one of the debt charities in my signature, signing up to a fee charging debt management company will cost her hundreds of pounds, money which could be repaying her debts.

    She should not be paying for this service, it is available for free, they can help with Rossendales as well.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • Lz?Kithra
    Lz?Kithra Posts: 57 Forumite
    Yes, she knows Council Tax is a priority debt and that's why she's been paying it. But it's because she's finding it so hard financially that she's trying to get it reduced. She did approach the Council about reducing the payment but they wouldn't play ball. Anyway, thanks for the advice and I'll let her know what you suggested. I wish I could get her to join the forum but it's an uphill task.
    Liz R
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    Lz?Kithra wrote: »
    Yes, she knows Council Tax is a priority debt and that's why she's been paying it. But it's because she's finding it so hard financially that she's trying to get it reduced. She did approach the Council about reducing the payment but they wouldn't play ball. Anyway, thanks for the advice and I'll let her know what you suggested. I wish I could get her to join the forum but it's an uphill task.

    Does she accept that the council tax charge us actually right ? Too many times people will try and arrange payment for an amount that they don't actually owe once the details are all looked in to. Make sure it all seems correct.

    The council won't just reduce a debt on request, she needs to apply for a section 13A discretionary relief which provides a formal, appealable, way of a debt reduction for a council tax charge.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Lz?Kithra
    Lz?Kithra Posts: 57 Forumite
    Sorry to delay replying - I was having lunch, LOL. Yes, she accepts the charge is right. And it wasn't that she asked for a reduction in the debt. What she was seeking was a reduction in the amount she has to pay off the debt each month.
    Liz R
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