1. How to get free advice

There are sources of free debt advice and services. You can find out more on Money Advice Service’s website.

2. Know your options

You should have been advised on all the options for dealing with your debt. Protocol compliant providers will explain all the options that are open to you (e.g. bankruptcy, debt relief order, individual voluntary arrangement, debt management plan). The advantages and disadvantages of each will be discussed with you so that you can make an informed choice.

3. Estimated total cost

You will know the estimated total cost to you of the arrangement and the time it will take for your debts to be paid. Protocol compliant providers always give you this information. If your provider does not, you must ask to find out. Any money you pay to your provider to cover their fees will not be used to repay your debts. Think carefully if more money is being used to pay your provider than your creditors.

4. Affordable budgeting

Your provider will go through a full and accurate budgeting process with you. This is vital to make sure that the payments you are asked to make are affordable for yourself and fair to your creditors.

5. How to complain

If you are not happy with the service you receive, you can complain. You should refer such complaints to the provider first to give them a chance to put things right. They should tell you clearly how to do this.

If they are a member of the DRF or DEMSA they will also tell you how to use their own conciliation and complaints scheme as a second step.

You can be repaid any fees charged and may be awarded compensation by these schemes. If you are still not happy with the outcome, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is an independent service who will look into your complaint and can award you compensation if they decide in your favour.

We hope you have found our guide useful. If you want some help with your debts, speak to us today on 0800 019 2095 or complete our contact form and we’ll call you back.