Citizens Advice: OFT action on look-alike debt advice websites

Citizens Advice Director of Public Policy, Teresa Perchard said: "We are really pleased that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has taken action to close these websites which have been misleading the public by marketing themselves on the back of extremely well known and well trusted charities and government information services. Instead of free impartial debt advice consumers could find themselves charged fees, sold products or offered a paid-for debt management plan. In addition, some of these sites have no information about whether the company or any of the advisers the site refers the consumer to hold a credit licence or are qualified to help them.

"Although many consumers might not get taken in once people have provided information on these sites they will get a phone call and marketing approaches and may find it difficult to stop the unwanted contact.

"This decisive action from the OFT sounds a strong warning to other companies thinking of using names for their sites or creating ‘links' in web searches which look and sound like well known debt advice charities. It sends a clear message that this is unacceptable and incompatible with maintaining a credit licence.

"However this is just the start, and in the current economic climate when more people are seeking debt advice, many for the first time, it's vital that the OFT continue to take a hard line with companies deliberately setting out to mislead the public, many of whom may be in unmanageable debt and in urgent need of quality advice.

"Anyone wanting help with debts or other problems should seek advice from a free, impartial debt advice agency, such as your local CAB, our advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk, National Debtline or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service. You don't need to pay for debt advice. Your local CAB will help you work out repayments, negotiate with your creditors and help you claim any benefits you may be entitled to."

Find your local CAB:
citizensadvice.org.uk

Citizens Advice adviceguide website
adviceguide.org.uk

National Debtline
nationaldebtline.co.uk

CCCS
cccs.co.uk

People unsure about a debt advice agency should contact Consumer Direct
consumerdirect.gov.uk