Campaign to help customers struggling with debt launched

The body, which represents debt collection agencies and debt purchasers, is running #heretohelp with the backing of the CICM and Money Advice Scotland. The campaign is also seeking to combat poor and misleading advice that many customers encounter online, which it warns can often make matters worse.

It is estimated that there are currently more than eight million people in debt in the UK, according to the Money and Pensions Service.

"This important new initiative shows our industry and our members at the heart of helping customers who are in financial difficulty,” said Peter Wallwork, CSA chief executive.

“We want to remove the understandable fear and uncertainty that many customers face. We want to build confidence in debt collection so that whatever their circumstances, people will know that they will be treated with fairness, understanding and compassion. We want everyone to get behind this serious drive to remove the stigma of debt once and for all."

Philip King, chief executive of the CICM added: “The campaign highlights the importance of talking to real people with the experience and expertise to improve customer outcomes, rather than trusting spurious and often poorly-informed advice being offered on the internet via consumer forums."

Credit Strategy is holding the Collections & Vulnerability Summit in Manchester on October 16, 2019. To see the agenda and to book your tickets, visit its website.