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Citizens Advice responds to OFT’s new debt management guidance

22 March 2012

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive at national charity Citizens Advice, said:

"It's good to see the OFT tackle unacceptable marketing practices carried out by many debt management companies.

It's right that firms should end activities such as sending unsolicited text messages, emails and voicemails, and offering inappropriate financial incentives to staff.

But it's not good enough that firms found unfit to hold a credit license remain free to continue trading while they appeal decisions by the OFT. We want to see the OFT urgently empowered to stop this.

It's not necessary to pay for debt advice. Citizens Advice Bureaux offer free impartial advice."

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.