LINKS: Please note that information re links is given without any liability. The information is intended to be helpful.

BANK CHARGES COMPLAINTS

The OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING website should be consulted for their latest update. Use the OFT search for 'bank charges' to monitor updates www.oft.gov.uk .  On 26th February 2009 it was announced the OFT had won their 'test case' appeal against the banks. This means the OFT can assess the banks' terms for fairness under Consumer Contract Regulations. Please email adv@debtwise.co.uk for updated information (May 2009) with links to other sites.

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY (F.S.A.) has extended deadline 'waiver' for banks to deal with customer complaints about unfair charges until 26th July 2009.

FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN SERVICE GUIDANCE  See guidance on http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/faq/bank-charges.html

BANK ACTION GROUP/THE CONSUMER ACTION GROUP FORUM ( www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk ) is a support forum where people affected by punitive bank charges can meet and share information. Actions pending the OFT test case were put on hold by the courts. Please monitor OFT site.

PENALTY CHARGES : Another advice website giving guidance on how to reclaim bank charges http://www.penaltycharges.co.uk/guide/

ADDITIONAL BANK CHARGES NOTE : The Daily Mail website www.thisismoney.co.uk has devised letters to help in writing to banks about charges. Gives help to possibly claim against the bank through the online court. ( www.moneyclaim.gov.uk ). Motley Fool has advice and feedback for those who wish to fight bank charges. Link: http://www.fool.co.uk/index.htm?ref=Yo Which? Magazine has advice- for further information see www.which.co.uk/bankcharges   GMTV advice is shown at http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=21859 .

HIGH COURT RULING OCTOBER 2008 :A High court ruling in October 2008 appears to be in favour of Barclays Bank in respect of penalty charges. Anyone wishing to make a claim on a bank should carry out an internet search for up to date information.  See http://www.fool.co.uk/news/your-money/2008/10/10/its-2-2-in-the-bank-charges-case.aspx for comment.

CLAIM MANAGEMENT COMPANIES : If an individual wishes to use a claim management company (which normally gives free advice but will charge for success in any claim) then RBC Claim Management can provide free advice see http://www.bank-charges-claim.co.uk/contactUs.html . Please ensure any claim handling company is regulated by the Ministry of Justice at www.claimsregulation.gov.uk . NOTE: The Ministry of Justice have warned claim management companies http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease170209a.htm about misleading statements (17th Feb 09)

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTARY ARRANGEMENTS ( IVA) : See Free Debt Counselling for more details or contact the UK Insolvency Helpline 0800 074 6918 www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk . Send email to adv@debtwise.co.uk for general information help sheet.

Links to other advice websites : www.thinkmoney.com  www.ukdebtadvisor.co.uk  www.debthelp.uk.net  www.debtassistancesite.com  www.money-links.net www.clear-your-debt.co.uk www.yourclear.co.uk www.abacus-loans.co.uk www.debt-problems.net www.LemonAid.net www.clearstart.org/index.php www.cccs.co.uk www.creditaction.org.uk  www.debtadvicetrust.info www.nationaldebtline.co.uk www.citizensadvice.org.uk www.moneyinfomaster.com www.myvesta.org.uk www.debtleap.com www.trapped.co.uk www.freeivaadvice.co.uk www.just-debts.co.uk/ivas.html (for more details see Free Debt Counselling).

OTHER IVA ADVICE www.theiva.co.uk , http://www.westopdebt.co.uk:80/  www.debt-consolidation-online.uk.com http://www.gregorypennington.com:80/ www.debtadvicetrust.org

DEBT WATCHDOG (OFFSHOOT OF HOLIDAY WATCHDOG) Independent advice re debt problems including IVA advice www.debtwatchdog.com

HOUSE REPOSSESSION STOPPERS (also see Free Debt Counselling page) www.repossession-stoppers.com (To sell your home quickly to cash buyers)

BUDGET PLANNING  www.youbudget.co.uk  Online budget planner to help with finance budgeting

BANKRUPTCY : As well as free debt counselling, anyone with major debt problems should consider all options, including not only the IVA (above), but also Bankruptcy. Free advice on bankruptcy and IVA's is available from the Bankruptcy Advisory Service ( www.bankruptcyadvisoryservice.co.uk ) Telephone 01423 799141 . Also see following website for helpful information and advice www.becomingbankrupt.co.uk/home.htm .

DEBT FORUMS (for exchange on information, views etc on debt related subjects)

Consumer Action Group : www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk

Debt Forum UK : www.debtforum.org.uk (Debt Forum is a support board allowing people with debt problems to 
share their experiences with each other. Members help and offer mutual support and advice to others facing bankruptcy and similar debt
related issues).

GENERAL ADVICE : MONEY SAVING EXPERT...Martin Lewis who often appears on GMTV www.moneysavingexpert.com provides free financial guidance and has a mailing list. Compares credit card offers and rates and is helpful to those searching for a better financial deal. www.money.co.uk provides comparisons, benefits and features of thousands of products. MONEY SUPERMARKET.com  - The price comparison website to compare financial products http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/ and help with debt advice. http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/  THINK MONEY www.thinkmoney.com has mortgage/finance/debt help advice

CONSUMER ADVICE : Consumer Direct national helpline www.consumerdirect.gov.uk 08454 04 05 06. Also www.whatconsumer.co.uk has information about consumer related issues, including consumer credit act rights, debt management and debt collectors.

COUNSELLING : To find a counsellor to go through personal problems, which may be associated with debt or other problems, The Counselling Directory may be able to help. http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/debt.html

LOAN ADVICE :   www.accepted.com - will search loan information on over 200 plans offered by major UK lenders.

DEBTWISE holds a Consumer Credit Licence - 478241

SEARCH GOOGLE : www.google.co.uk