On process with step change

atothec

Hi all

I'm in process with step change for an iva, but I got a few questions if anyone knows how to answer as I'm worried of scam,

On first day spoke to a guy who went through everything and I sent all statements what he requested through WhatsApp,

After he suggested iva he passed me to another guy who went through the file and made everything ready even wrote what to say and than he passed me to another guy who is going to call about iva but this is a different company called INNOVATE SOLUTIONS

Is this the right procedure or should I contact someone for scam?

Many thanks for advising

fatbelly

It has been known for companies to impersonate Stepchange and I would be concerned. I understand Stepchange do their own IVAs.

I cannot find a company by that name that is relevant

Do you have a record of contact details for the first contact you made? Like a phone number or web address?

atothec

Yes got the name and contact number, which he uses a Manchester number on WhatsApp and an this to call me 03305202235

It's whei I call it is suspicious as its no waiting on call just straight to them

sourcrates

I think you may have inadvertently stumbled on a scam site purporting to be stepchange.

The Stepchange IVA process is clearly stated on their website:

IVA - Individual Voluntary Arrangement Advice. StepChange

Quote:

We are a regulated charity with more than 30 years’ experience. We have helped more than seven million people. You can trust us.

•  Individual voluntary arrangements are arranged by StepChange Voluntary Arrangements, part of StepChange Debt Charity
•  Clare Lindley and James O’Carroll are licensed to act as insolvency practitioners
•  All the money we make from IVAs are ‘gift aided’ back to the charity. This means we do not make a profit from them
•  All providers charge fees for IVAs. Our IVA fees come out of the agreed monthly payment. There is no charge on top of that or any up-front fees

The legitimate web address is www.stepchange.org

You can confirm this is a scam by asking on their debt advisors thread on this board if you want, but it certainly looks like you may have been connected to either a commercial company trying to make money by using their name, or they are just outright scam artists.

fatbelly

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82052516#Comment_82052516

II suggest you phone the real stepchange and ask. They are open from 8 am

https://www.stepchange.org/contact-us.aspx

atothec

Thank you all, I did and submitted my details to stepchange,

Thase people called with a Carlisle number (which phone bought it as suspected scam)

And they aren't registered on the fca, so told them to do one as they said they just preparing my file for the company that deals with iva, and yet they passed me to 3 different people 2 of whi9they work at same place

ManyWays

Well done for feeling twitchy and escaping from that one.

I think you need to be on the look out for more scams. Not only may your name now be on a "gullible" list, but you have handed your bank statements to someone untrustworthy. Don't get paranoid, just keep a closer eye on your credit records and bank statements for the next year or so. And treat any emails, texts or whatsapp message that sound surprising or alarming with suspicion.

BUT would you like a quick check on here to see if an IVA is in your best interest? Stepchange is better than whatever dodgy firm you were talking to before, but you may still have other, preferable alternatives.

atothec

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82052893#Comment_82052893

IVA was best option when filled the only form on stepchange, they did say it takes a while to go through and than maybe it's not an option when I spoke to one advisor

But let's see

sourcrates

Can you just give us a quick run down of your circumstances, just to be sure.

Basically an IVA can be a good idea, if you own your own home, have in excess of 30k of debt, you have a regular income, and can maintain payments for at least 5 years, and don`t expect any significant changes to your circumstances.

Does that sound like you?