Useful Organisations
Review this selection of useful organisations before calling one of our expert debt advisors for individual, confidential advice on your best route out of debt.
Benefits and Public Services
This is an interactive online service provided by the government’s Directgov website designed to help people assess whether there are benefits they may be entitled to in times of financial hardship.
Consumer Direct: 0845 404 0506
They provide localised advice services for all matters relating to consumer rights. UK government funded with free online fact sheets plus a telephone help line.
Government website with details on all public services including those related to money and debt.
Credit Reference Agencies
Credit reference agencies exist to give lenders information on people applying for credit, to help lenders make informed decisions whether to grant credit. Information held about you is called your credit reference file or credit report. It commonly contains information about your credit history. Most people over the age of 18 in the UK have this type of record on file. The most commonly used UK agencies are Callcredit, Equifax and Experian.
You can contact them to apply for a copy of your credit history, so you can see all the information held about you. This can be useful if you are considering applying for credit, have been refused credit or feel there may be information which contains errors on your file.
Callcredit Online: http://www.callcreditcheck.com/
By Post: Consumer Services, Callcredit Limited, PO Box 491, LEEDS, LS3 1WZ
Equifax Online: http://www.equifax.co.uk/
By Post: Equifax Ltd., Credit File Advice Centre PO Box 1140 Bradford BD1 5US
Experian Online: http://www.experian.co.uk/
By Telephone: 0844 481 8000 By Post: Consumer Help Service Experian Limited, PO BOX 8000, Nottingham NG80 7WF
Financial and Debt
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau is an organisation dedicated to providing advice to people with debt, benefits, housing, legal problems (and many more areas of UK life). They provide online debt and finances advice plus information on benefits, work laws, tax, family issues, health, education consumer rights and more. You can also make an appointment at one of more than 3,000 locations – to find your nearest branch, visit the website.
Financial Ombudsman Service: 0300 123 9123
They provide an expert mediation service settling complaints between consumers and the financial services industry. They provide a range of factsheets and information online plus a consumer helpline on 0300 123 9 123 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) or email service at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Financial Services Authority (FSA): 0207 066 1000
They regulate most of the UK’s financial services industry. Their website provides consumer information, including about the Financial Ombudsman for when you want to make a complaint about a financial services company.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme: 020 7892 7300/ 0800 678 1100
This organisation serves to protect consumers by providing a last resort in the event a financial services company should pay compensation but cannot (typically due to ceasing trading, etc). Helpline is open Monday to Friday 08.30-17.30 excluding public holidays, or contact by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The act is the law which is the framework for all personal and business insolvency issues in the UK. It has been partially updated from 2004, when the Enterprise act 2002 came into force. You can click here to read the act but remember, there is simply no substitute for good quality impartial debt advice in any circumstances.
This is an online service provided by Her Majesty's Courts where it is possible to “issue a claim, enter judgment by default/admission” and “issue a warrant of execution“. The service is offered for both those who wish to pursue money through the courts that they are owed, or those who are defending claims as alleged debtors.
Money Scotland: 0845 612 6425
Provides comprehensive information on Scotland’s government backed Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS). Online resources also on many aspects of debt, including an interactive search for a local DAS approved Money Adviser.
Tax and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Matters - TaxAid: 0845 120 3779
A dedicated charity to support the general public in dealing with all matters relating to tax and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). They provide online information and a confidential telephone helpline. Face to face appointments can also be arranged in Birmingham, London and Manchester.
Keep track of