Bogus Debt Help Text Messages

Former_MSE_Archna

What's this about?

Outrageously some dodgy firms have been offering debt help via text messages, which make it look like its from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The text message says:

"Citizens Advice Bureau will talk to 6,600 people today with debt problems. Do you need advice on debt? Reply TALK to receive a call from a friendly advisor"

THIS MESSAGE IS NOT FROM CITIZENS ADVICE

This is NOT from the Citizens Advice Bureau and you won't get through to its advisors; rather a profit making 'debt' company. Read the full Citizens advice info on this

If you've got problem debts: Read the full Debt Problems Help guide which includes full details of all the non-profit debt help agencies.

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PS thanks to the CAB poster below for pointing this out.

North_East_Derbyshire_CAB

Beware!

It looks like firms have been offering debt advice by sending bogus text messages to people's mobile phones, claiming to be from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

We ask you - what sort of people would do that?

See link below for more info:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/whats_new_apr_08_bogus_text_messages_claiming_to_be_from_citizens_advice_bureau.htm

rog2

North_East_Derbyshire_CAB wrote: »

We ask you - what sort of people would do that?

Exactly the same sort of 'people' that come up when you google CCCS - see the sticky at the top of the page.

Debt is big business and will, inevitably, attract the 'profit driven' scavengers who will stoop at nothing to earn easy money from the misfortune of others.

Beerworshipper

Bumping it up, fore warned is fore armed....

fermi

I am horrified, but I can't really say I am surprised.:rolleyes:

rog2

Just a timely reminder that the recorded phone messages are also about again.
Over the last week, we have received four calls which, when you pick up the phone, are recorded messages saying 'if you have debt problems please call for free advice' - as if.
I did not write down the number, and it has been my wife who answered the other three calls, but it is an '0870' revenue sharing number - no number shows up on 1471 - just beware.

LilacPixie

The recorded messages apparently come from a company called Baines and Earnst.

dancingfairy

I hope nobody falls for the 'free' advice calls/texts etc. Please take care everyone.

mazp

I was struggling to keep up with my debts and seemed to be getting further behind so decided to take action and enquire about an iva.

I did so with debt free direct. I spoke to a guy from baines and earnst who assured me that I qualified for an iva and I was doing the right thing so went through all the details over the phone and was sent all the information through the post. He stressed that I had to return the authorisation form asap which arrived the next day. However, after he explained that I would have to pay £370 in weekly instalments before they could actually do anything I started to panic.

I checked on here for anyone else's experience of this company and on the back of that, straight away emailed them to say I had changed my mind and wanted to cancel my application. Within an hour the guy who I spoke to about my application phoned me and to be honest was very rude. He said I was a timewaster and I should think twice about calling them again should I decide to continue their application. I was quite upset but I still feel I did the right thing.

I used the money that would have been used to set this up to clear one of my smaller debts and came up with my own repayment plan that would suit me better. I borrowed enough money from a family member just to clear arrears to get people off my back and thought hard about my budget and where i could improve. 2 weeks on I feel good that I didn't waste precious money on this company and I hope that others will benefit from my experience.

PammyG_3

I've learned from recent experience that there is a lot of free advice out there but unscrupulous companies are charging people for the same advice (even the same service).

Why don't we collectively pool our resources and name those organizations that are genuinely free?

rog2

PammyG wrote: »

Why don't we collectively pool our resources and name those organizations that are genuinely free?

We do, and have - see the opening post. Unfortunately, not everyone who is experiencing problems will see this site. Niether do the Charitable Organisations have the resources to 'advertise' their services in the same way that the 'Profit Motivated' Ambulance Chasers do.