WARNING! Bad advice from pushy IVA provider.

pembsbexy

After ringing National Debtline, I was given advice to file for bankruptcy. They went through all my circumstances and advised this was the best course of action. I then went to an insolvency website and rang their number. The person I spoke to claimed to not know anything about bankruptcy but gave me the number of a "helpline" which turned out to be a pushy IVA provider. The company was called Action for Debt - this is the advice he gave me.
Our total income was so high, the OR would deny a bankruptcy order and force us to get a joint IVA, therefore wasting the time and money a bankruptcy proceeding would cost. My husband is in more debt than I am but earns more. A bankruptcy is not an option for him or he would risk his employment so he may have to get an IVA in the future. After being confused by this phone call I rang debtline again who confirmed all the OR wants to know is my individual ability to pay what I owe. My husbands contribution to the household finances are taken into account but I can still demonstrate my inability to pay these debts, despite my husbands income because he is not giving this to me, he's using it to pay off our debts. National Debtline advised me to complain about this company "Action for Debt" because they gave me duff advice and were basically lying to get me to get an IVA with my hubby. Eg double the fees.
Just be wary of "advice" you get from these companies. He sounded VERY convincing and authoritative about the subject and made me VERY confused, seriously considering his suggested course of action. He was cagey about the fees and made bankruptcy sound like a very complicated process that I wouldn't be able to manage. He even said they charge £200 to help towards a bankruptcy application if that was what I wanted to do.
Just be careful guys .... National Debtline have been brilliant and have made things a lot clearer.

Snaggles

Yes, would agree 100% with this, there are some very unscrupulous companies out there. Companies like the CCCS, Payplan and also the CAB will also give you free advice, and wont make a profit from your debt problems.

fatbelly

Hi - I think I contributed to a previous thread of yours. I'm bumping this one up because I think what you have to say is really relevant. We had our Thomson directory delivered today and the 'debt' section is full of adverts from people like 'Action for Debt'. I assume National Debtline and the other 'good guys' (see Snaggles post) can't afford to advertise on that scale. But they're the ones you need to talk to.

tigerfeet2006

On this this board and the bankruptcy board we always recommend the debt charities and you will see them in peoples signatures as well.

If you are seriously thinking of bankruptcy then pop over and have a chat with us on the Bankruptcy and Living with it board we are quite friendly and don't bite