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Changing Debt Counsellors

Consumers have the right to chose who will offer them services and in most cases if they are unhappy can transfer to other service providers.

This is true of mobile networks, medical professionals and yes, even Debt Counsellors.

While not difficult to do, the process is not simple or speedy one and can present some dangers to consumers.

The process is best handled by both Debt Counsellors working well together.

A New Tactic

Recently there has been a boom in the “get out of debt review” business.

Some people who offer the supposed service are simply scammers who take money from consumers and do nothing. Some of these scammers operate from container shops with a false online presence on social media. They take the money and run off never to be contacted again.

Others are however more legitimate and offer the service exclusively to those who actually qualify (debt all paid up or never turned into a court order and not over indebted).

In between these two extremes are a so called “rogue” section of the market who both sign people up for debt review and then later offer to remove them from the process (through a related company).

‘Some unscrupulous debt review practices reach out to consumers who are already safe under debt review and offer them reduced instalments’

Some unscrupulous debt review practices reach out to consumers who are already safe under debt review and offer them reduced instalments (which prolongs the debt repayment and may not even be possible).

What has recently been happening is that some such scammers, unscrupulous practices and undercutting poachers, coach consumers to send a request to the original Debt Counsellor pretending to cancel their services (not transfer). Then after some time has lapsed the new practitioner gets the matter moved to their name on the NCR database (NCRDebtHelp)

The Messages May Look Like This

I [so and so] wish to suspend debt review services due to being unsatisfied with your services and I need a 17.w withdrawal letter. I do not with to proceed with your services. Kindly suspend your services and send me proof of cancellation else I will take this matter to the NCR or I will escalate this to social media. I will get back to you if I ever need your help again. Please suspend with immediate effect, please issue the 17.w form.

Or it might look like this:

I request to be cancelled from debt review from [date]. I have chosen an alternative way to get my accounts paid up. Please cancel my name and provide me with confirmation that I have been cancelled. Please send me a form 17.w document. I am aware of the withdrawal guidelines from the NCR and I still want to terminate. Please cancel my active and future debt orders with immediate effect and I request that you send me proof that the payment distribution agent has cancelled the debit order.

Since many similar messages are being sent to Debt Counsellors and then these clients are later being transferred to particular practices on NCR Debt Help it seems that the consumers are coached in what to say/write.

If someone approaches you and offers to get you a “lower instalment” or to “get you out of debt review” please beware of scams. Please also remember that if you drop out of debt review you can lose all the progress you have made in paying up your debt so far. Your assets may be in danger and many people who make such promises simply cannot deliver on them.

Rather talk to your Debt Counsellor about the reasons why you may want to make a change.