Useful Organisations

Useful Organisations

Some of the support and advice you need while you are resolving debt problems is about more than monthly payments or creditors. You need to keep on top of many different issues that may affect your ability to keep to your plans – for example, issues that may stop you from working.The following organisations can help you in a variety of different ways. Take a look through and don’t be afraid to ask them for help if you think they will be useful.  

The Financial Services Authority provides information to consumers who are baffled by different financial products, giving easy to understand information when you want to plan your financial future.

www.fsa.gov.uk  

Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, supported by the government. It provides clear, practical advice to help you sort out problems and disagreements with suppliers of goods or services.

www.consumerdirect.gov.uk 

The Citizens Advice Bureau helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent, confidential and specialist.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk   

CreditExpert from Experian allows you to view your credit report for free online. The site can also send you alerts should anything on your report change, ideal to keep track of your finances and prevent identity theft.

www.creditexpert.co.uk  

Callcredit is the newest of the UK’s three credit reference agencies. Established in 2001, it has created credit reports on over 44million UK consumers. The website shows you how to obtain a copy of your own credit file.

www.callcredit.co.uk    

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) will only approve codes that have proved to be effective over a period of time in safeguarding and promoting the interests of consumers beyond the requirements of the law. ClearStart operates according to the OFT’s Debt Management Code (September 2008).

www.oft.gov.uk   

The Financial Ombudsman Service is the official independent expert in settling complaints between consumers and businesses providing financial services.

www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk     

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has a mission to help people lead safer, fairer and more rewarding lives, free from poverty. On a practical level, there are three organisations you may find it useful to contact: the Pension Service, the Disability and Carers Service and Jobcentre Plus. Links to these services can be found at

 www.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/.   

NHS Direct is a new 24 hour nurse-led telephone advice and information service. By calling NHS Direct, you and your family can have round the clock access to information and advice about health, illness and health services.

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk   

Drinkaware promotes responsible drinking and attempts to reduce alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harm. It is an independent UK-wide charity that can help people with advice on how much they drink.

www.drinkaware.co.uk   

Gamble Aware is managed by the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, an independent charity which funds treatment, research and education about responsible gambling.

www.gambleaware.co.uk