She provided light at the end of my tunnel

Consumer Credit Counselling Service.

Being in debt is a nightmare, you have many regrets, but you wish you can turn the clock back to rectify the mistakes that cost you so much heartache, and not to lean on your own understanding.

This is what happened to me. I was always an active person, with hardly a record of ill health, and financial burdens, financially I was well off that is with the help of the financial institutions. That is until my cookie crumbled.

As with the experiences of other Ciao Members most of their statements were what I went through, but instead of dwelling on regrets and go through this all again, I wanted to tell you about CONMSUMER CREDIT COUNSELLING SERVICE.

I first heard of this organisation when the Royal Bank of Scotland sent me a brochure, as I have been unable to meet the demands on paying my monthly bill.

This organization is a registered charity. Its services are supported by members of the credit industry and business establishments, through contributions and donations.

They provide independent free counselling to help you to maintain and solve your debt problems, avoid bankruptcy and learn to help you to benefit yourself in handling money.

How do you start?

What I did was. I got in touch with the providers explaining to them the position that I was in and requisitioned to pay a token payment.

My next move was to phone CCCS on 0800 138 1111. I was nervous and at my low point, the customer relationship that one of their members portrayed was very enlighten. She became my friend, because it was not easy to admit to her that I had financial problems. She became that light that came at the end of the tunnel. She was understanding and reassuring. Right away I felt better and was able to speak freely. The fear off stupidity on me was removed and instantly I knew that I made the right decision in phoning them.

After answering her questions she gave me a reference number and suggested that I get in touch with the providers and gave them the reference number she provided for me.

In the meantime I did exactly she suggested. I did find that all the providers were most helpful. Giving them the reference number boosted my morale. They did not make me feel inadequate with embarrassing questions. The reference number was all they needed to know. No question asked.

A financial pack arrived within a few days, in that pack I had to fill in information sheet which consists of usual details, you will expect to find in form filling, but in additional to that, you are required to fill in your income, totals owed in mortgage, secured loans and list of creditors. The list of creditor’s form consists of five columns,
Name of creditors
Amount owed
Monthly payment
Address of the creditors
Account number.

Another form I had to fill in was divided into two sections the first section consist of four columns
These are:
Income
Monthly payments
Priority debts
Balance owed weekly / monthly payments
Then other section consisted of expenses, credit debts, balance owed monthly normal payment and monthly repayment offer.

How do they work?
Once these were filled and sent back, I received a letter of in the form of an appointment for security reasons, you need to follow procedure.

Within days I received a pack and on this pack consist of advice the Counsellor’s recmommdations, some fact sheets, a budget plan, a drafted letter that you can write to your list of creditors. (That is if you choose to do this yourself)

OR

They can arrange with your creditors the best solutions and repayments that suit you.
They guaranty that all of the money you send to them to manage on your behalf goes to paying off your outstanding debts.

This is just some of the ways that I have benefited from the CCCS, IT WAS AN OPEN DOOR TO FREE DEBT ADVICE

What I like about this organization it is an investor in people. It is a registered charity, that gives free debt advice and counselling,
They have an excellent record of relationship with creditors, and they portray real concern in Customer relations.

And did they help?
Yes, a great weight was lifted off my shoulders; it taught me the seriousness of thinking twice about loans or extra credit cards. Through them I do not know how I would have coped financially, their kindness and tolerance in guiding me through this difficult patch have helped me to over come this terrible anxiety.

You can find them at www.cccs.co.uk or phone 0800138 111