CCCS Are they any help?

[CarliJ]

Has anybody ever used this company to help them with debt?  Im in a bit of bother, but im scared to call them, any info would be appreciated!

[Didwot]

I assume you are referring to Consumer Credit Counselling Service, which is the trading name of the Foundation for Credit Counselling, a registered charity founded in Leeds in 1993. i know nothing of them beyond what their website http://www.cccs.co.uk/home.htm and that of the Charity Commissioners http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities /showcharity.asp?remchar=&chyno=1016630 reveal. That, at least does set my mind somewhat at rest. As a charity I would expect them to act with competence and honesty.
There are a lot of so called credit advisors/ Insolvency advisors, who are interested in nothing other than getting some fees out of you. Obviously there are some who do a good job, and by and large Licenced Insolvency Practicioners will be good, although potentially expensive - but some will give you a free half hour or so.
That said, I would be interested to learn more about CCCS

[Hammer]

Don't pay anyone anything to help you sort things out. Anyone charging for their services is just exploiting you.

A good place to start for advice and help is always the Citizens Advice Bureau

[sam82]

i agree with hammer, use citizen advice, they will contact all your debtors and help you arrange a payment....

 

pay plan is a free debt managment program and can agree freezed intrest with your debtors.

www.payplan.com

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Hi There

I am a moderator on a debt mgt message board and I have only ever heard very positive things about CCCS.  I have however heard some rather negative experiences of Payplan but this is not to say they are not a good company.

CCCS are a charitable organisation and will help with dents exceeding �5k.  They will liase with your creditors and advise on your repayment plan and IVAs if needs be.  They are paid by the credit companies and will not charge you for your services.

Although the CAB are brilliant at what they do, they may well advise an organisation to the ones mentioned when there is adverse debt.

If you call CCCS for example they will make an appointment with you - but prepared for a wait it can take up to 1 month depending on workload and location but they will provide you with a reference number which you can quote when contacting your creditors in the meantime.

[debtfree]

Hi there,

I would like to say that CCCS have been most helpful in there advice to me in term on budgetting and debt management, payplan however have not! they are not a very good company and one of my creditors made an offical complaint, very poor service once you are set up with them. Stay clear and try to manage the debt yourself with some good advice.

[debtfree]

I'm new to all of this...CarliJ anyone who charges you to get out of debt if con merchant! as I said the best thing to do is to get some good advice from either CAB, local law centre or CCCS. The CCCS give you very good advice and is recongised by must lenders. The debt management programmes really could with some regulation, must of them just want your money. CCCS enable to manage the sistuation yourself, they provide you will a self - help pack which you can take control of. Payplan provide a service however once set up you cannot get hold of your caseworker and they do not always reply to you or your creditors...which can be very frustrasting to both you and the creditors. However they are free which is good. I'm saying this from experince and now no longer use them, a creditor made an offical complaint on my behalf because of the very poor service. So it's up to you but do get some advice!!!! also look on the net there are some good site that offer debt advice fact sheet...but whatever you do do not suffer in silence, debt is manageable and is not the end of the world...do not feel bullied into offering to pay what you cannot afford by any creditor.