Blog · Debt Camel

Will the new Enforcement Conduct Authority bring bailiff reform?

In 2020, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) brought together the debt advice sector and the bailiff industry to form the Enforcement Oversight Working Group. This group has co-authored a report called Taking Control for Good - introducing the Enforcement Conduct Authority, published on 25 July by the CSJ. In place of the current system of bailiff self-regulation, the report recommends the … [Read more...]

Provident Scheme – the voting and approval process

UPDATE - the Scheme has now been approved by the court. See Provident Scheme – 4 million people can now claim a refund for how to make a claim and what will happen in the Scheme. Provident Financial Group (PFG proposed a Scheme of Arrangement to reduce the refunds it has to pay to customers given unaffordable loans through its Provident Personal Credit (PPC) subsidiary. There are … [Read more...]

Save a house deposit or pay off debt?

A reader asked: "A friend said not to pay my defaulted debts off but save money towards a deposit for a mortgage - is this a good idea?" It's often unwise to rely on friends for debt advice... They may be guessing, their situation may have been quite different from yours, or they may be assuming what happened to them years ago is still useful today. And in this case, the friend may know … [Read more...]

Santander gives NOSIA refunds on some credit cards

UPDATE in August 2021 Barclaycard is sending out some letters saying "they have noticed a mistake was made with one or more statutory notices(s) in the past". That's very vague! But those too may well be the "NOSIA refunds" described in this article. In June 2021, Santander sent some credit card customers a letter saying they would be paid a refund because Santander had failed to send them … [Read more...]

Thousands should switch from DMPs to a DRO after rule changes

UPDATE The rules about who can have a Debt Relief Order (DRO) changed in 2021 and more changes are coming in June 2024. From that date you can qualify for a DRO with debts of up to £50,000 and the permitted value of a car you can own is being doubled to £4,000. Thousands of people who are renting will now be eligible to apply for a DRO because of the 2021 and 2024 changes. Many people who … [Read more...]

Should I end my IVA and change to a DRO?

In 2024 the Debt Relief Order (DRO) rules have been relaxed so a lot more people qualify. For example, the maximum limit of debts in a DRO has now been increased to £50,000 and you can also own a car worth up to £4,000. Will you now qualify for a DRO? If you are in an IVA, you are renting and your IVA payments are less than about £120 a month, you may be much better off switching from an IVA … [Read more...]

Amigo – what is happening with “Scheme 2.0”?

In May Amigo's proposed Scheme of Arrangement was rejected by the court. The FCA told the court the Scheme was not fair to customers, a more fair Scheme could be proposed and it didn't think Amigo would go into administration immediately. The judge concluded by saying: The FCA expects the directors to continue to explore and promote a restructuring which fairly allocates the benefits and losses … [Read more...]

Court rejects Amigo Scheme of Arrangement

On 19 May 2021 the Sanction Hearing was held for Amigo's proposed Scheme of Arrangement. On 24 May, judgment was given and the Scheme was rejected. The Amigo Board says : The Board is reviewing all options including an Appeal. A further update will be given in due course. This article looks at the Scheme, the judgment and what may happen next. The proposed Scheme The Scheme was proposed by … [Read more...]

Sunny customers owed refunds paid at 3.21p in the £

On 28 May 2021, the KPMG administrators announced they will be paying 3.21p in the pound to c 40,000 people who submitted a claim for unaffordable loans. All 500,000 customers with mis-sold loans should have had their credit records repaired, see below. 40,000 people is a low number as the administrators calculated that more than half a million were mis-sold loans. Many people may not have … [Read more...]

Money Shop Scheme starts paying out – customers will get 4.31%

I have asked Instant Cash Loans (ICL) what percentage rate will be paid in the ICL Scheme of Arrangement and when customers will be paid. I am told the Scheme will be paying 4.3p in the £ to customers who are due a refund. Some payments are starting this week, they are expected to complete by the end of June 2021. UPDATE - ICL have now officially said it will be 4.31% Which customers … [Read more...]

Good news – higher DRO limits from end June 2021!

UPDATE 2024 In the budget in March 2024, new changes to DRO limits and an abolition of the DRO fee were announced. These increase the total allowable debt in a DRO further to £50,000 and double the increases in the value of a car allowed to £4,000. The full DRO eligibility criteria are set out in What is a DRO UPDATE 10 May 2021 The Insolvency Service has announced the new limits that … [Read more...]

Provident closes its doorstep loan operation after 140 years

On 10 May 2021, Provident Financial Group (PFG) announced that it was closing its home credit operation, also known as doorstep lending. Doorstep lending has been at the heart of Provident's business for most of its 140-year history. Agents would visit customers at home, giving loans and collecting weekly repayments. Now Provident says: In light of the changing industry and regulatory … [Read more...]

The debt “Breathing Space” – could it help you?

The Debt Respite Scheme - better known as "the Breathing Space" - went live in May 2021. A Breathing Space is a 60 day period while you get debt advice and find a suitable debt solution. During this 60 days, you get legal protection from your creditors for most debts and it stops interest and charges being added. Sounds good? For a few people this will be a real help, but often there … [Read more...]

How to choose an IVA firm

Which are the best IVA firms to talk to if you are interested in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) and whether it is a good debt solution for you? If you put IVA into Google, how do you decide which of the tempting see how much of your debt you can write off links to click on? Or you could choose the person that cold calls/texts you telling you about a little-known government … [Read more...]

What happens at the end of a DRO?

A Debt Relief Order (DRO) lasts a year. This is sometimes called "the moratorium period". At the end of this year, all the debts that were included in your DRO are wiped out. You aren't contacted at the end of the DRO year There is no "DRO Completion" check made at the end of this year. Not by the Insolvency Service and not by the debt adviser who set up your DRO. You won't be asked to … [Read more...]