Recommended ? Debt Advice Trust

[MelanieGiles]

Thank you for the quote. As a practicing IP I am fully aware of the content of SIP 3, and have never advocated that it was essential for a face to face meeting every time - but it is the job of the IP to decide whether one should be conducted or not applying the above rulings.

I am sure that a lot of the confusion which regularly crops up on this forum would be alleviated by proper meetings held with appropriately qualified and experienced members of staff. My own results, where I experience few post-IVA failures, would seek to confirm this point.

[J-DOUBLEYA]

Sorry Melanie, I was not attempting to get 'cute' but i assumed you were suggesting that FTF was essential quote - "Yes - fairly certain they only have one IP unless they have recruited recently, and whether you feel it is practical or not for IPs to meet their clients, we all have to observe the requirements of SIP 3. I still meet or personally interview on the telephone all of my clients."

I would hope that they are able to recruit competent and well trained staff as any other IP seemingly can. I also hope that they provide ongoing training as indeed i hope do all IP's

I am sure that CCCSVA will ensure that its IP will remain not only compliant with this but also that its practices reflects a practical, supportive and constructive journey through the IVA process. They have yet to be tested but I commend their intentions. (as I understand them)

As for your second para - I could not agree more ![:D]

[ianmillington]

My concern about the CCCS is that until they actually offered IVAs they went on TV and said they considered that only 3% of people who contacted them were suitable for an IVA, inferring that those who advocated an IVA were, well..... That's all changed now that they do them. Sounds somewhat odd to me.

Other things - SIP 3, face to face meetings where needed, Melanie's dead right!
Ian

[Adam Davies]

Hi
I wonder if in a few years down the road we will see IVA providers owned and directed by the major lenders.Would be a bit of a cartel really.
It won't happen,will it ?

[Lord Soth]

I arranged my IVA through CCCS and their charges were more than the 5K max quoted earlier, but I'd need to check exactly. I'm paying some £800 / month against £122k. (Yes, I know!).

I never spoke to an IP at any stage however I was given a named staff member who took me through all the options and explanations etc. CCCS had no hesitation suggesting an IVA for me although after reading so many individual cases, I think mine was relatively straightforward (divorce, son and daughter at university, all credit cards in my name (sob), 30plus years in a stable job, negative equity, fixed rate mortgage for 15 years at 5.6 (phew)).

[MelanieGiles]

Would be keen to know what those fees are just out of sheer nosiness!

[J-DOUBLEYA]

Melanie/ Lord Soth - Yes I would be keen to know what the charges are too. I have been told they are capped at 5k.

Ian - I am not sure what the 3% scenario is that you are referring to so you have me at a loss. As for the FTF, well yes, of course this is the best scenario but not essential unless the IP deems it so. I would hazard a guess that the majority of this work is actually done over the telephone. I work in debt solutions and i dont think my advice is in anyway prejudiced if conducted over the telephone. I might not be an IP but I am none the less dedicated to helping those in financial difficulty.

Andy - it will be a very very sad day if that happens, conflict of interest and all that.

In an odd way the financial institutions pay all our wages anyway. Think about it, who ultimately pays the free sector ? who pays the private sector ? answer - the financial institutions. It doesnt matter if its a contribution, a fee or accepting a reduced payment - the credit industry pays us all.
The general public who pay their way with no problems ultimately pay the full price !

[MelanieGiles]

A very philosophical but extremely correct reply JW.

Could you give us a clue as to who you actually work for?

[J-DOUBLEYA]

not CCCS ! but a very, very similar environment !

[MelanieGiles]

Go on - give us another clue! I hate secrets!!!

[ianmillington]

The 3% figure was openly stated by a lady from CCCS last year on the TV. IIRC it was on Trevor McDonald Tonight. Basically they said that of all the people who approach them for advice, only 3% ought to be doing an IVA. Saw it myself.

That statistic, was also quoted in the Mail on Sunday on 30 December 2007, together with an alleged target of 6000 IVA cases for 2008. Not my figures but make of it what you will.

ian

PS - as for the FTF - if the case is straightforward and consumer - probably not needed. If tricky, desirable. If a trader, a requisite of SIP3.

[MelanieGiles]

I recall that programme as well Ian, which did cause much discussion in the industry when they decided to offer IVAs directly to consumers.

And what I also find strange is that at the recent meeting in London to launch the new IVA protocol - the CCCS representative stated that they would not be offering the new SCIVA to any of their existing DMP clients who might meet suitable criteria!

One wonders why this reputable charity would rather have its clients on extremely long and unsafe DMPs, when an IVA could at least be offered.

[J-DOUBLEYA]

Sounds like I have found two massive CCCS fans !!!

Ian - I dont doubt your recollections, I just cant comment on what I have no knowledge of.I also understand your sceptisism, i sincerely hope its unfounded. As I said previously time will tell. The SIP.3 guidelines are well understood too by the way and i think my previous comment actually covers all!

Mel - sorry about the 'secrets' but much as i find these forums interesting, my day job pays the bills.
Where i work , whether paid, advisory or voluntary it is irrelevant, however I can assure you my intentions are just as honourable as yours.I am open to all avenues in debt solutions as long as the client fully understands the implications, the consequences and has been fully appraised of all viable alternatives. IVA's are not the only vehicle and not suitable for an awful lot of people. You can of course say the same for DMP's, equity release, consolidation -secured or otherwise and bankruptcy.

Lets cut to the chase - CCCS have for years stuck to what they do best,(albeit in my opinion) offerred free advice and help to those who choose to call them. This might be as a result of being told to do so by some creditors or by recomendation. They dont charge their clients but the industry pays their wages. Many other so called free agencies have sprung up and as the country faces up to the fact we are seriously indebted, IVA's suddenly become very popular. Then the number of companies offerring IVA;s etc literally explode. Please dont tell me that you can honestly say you think that every IVA company or DMC operates on the same ethical standards as your longevity in the industry suggests you do. ( I am not doubting yours incidentally, far from it)

I think the whole industry needed a shake up, it has been getting out of hand. I am not saying that any one company has the divine right to say who does what or when but whether its CCCS , CABX , Advice UK, IVA practitioners or uncle tom cobbly its to be welcomed, again in my opinion.

I cant help sticking up for the underdog and it seems to me that rightly or wrongly, CCCS seem very much to be the underdog here.

I think this is the last i intend to say on this subject, readers of this forum can make up their own minds with the postings.

[J-DOUBLEYA]

LORD SOTH - any chance that you could post us the costs etc ?

[MelanieGiles]

Any debate is good debate JW, and I personally welcome the differing side that you add to this forum and the majority of your views.

As you rightly indicate, there is place for everyone in this marketplace, and good and bad in all professions - incidentally I don't mean to sound anti-CCCS - I actually refer a lot of clients to them personally who prefer not to pay ongoing DMP charges.

There will be things that will never be right in this industry, but as long we can carry on doing our very best to provide solutions to troubled consumers, allowing them to make options which are appropriate to their circumstances - and importantly that they can afford to honour, I feel that we have done a good day's work. I just wish that the lending industry and the popular media would sometimes see the benefit of our involvement.

Would be very interested to learn your views on the reasonableness of CCCS expenditure guidelines though, and whether you feel that £140 for housekeeping and £20 for clothing for a single person per month is realistic?