Free, high-quality debt help is available in the UK from StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice and Debt Compass among others. Never pay an upfront fee for basic debt help.
Be sceptical of firms that push you straight into a single solution — usually an IVA — without exploring alternatives. Some of these firms only earn commission from IVAs, which can bias the advice.
Ignore cold callers claiming to be from 'the government debt scheme' or offering to 'write off your debt'. There is no such scheme. Debt Compass and other genuine services will never contact you out of the blue offering to write debts off.
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