he OFT has refused to renew the credit licences of two debt management companies, and refused the new application of a third, as part of its ongoing enforcement work to drive up standards in the sector. Lancashire-based Welcome Solutions Limited and Manchester-based Debt Connect (UK) Limited had their renewal applications refused, while Cornwall-based trader, Rowena Koning, had her new application refused. Welcome Solutions Limited, which trades as 'debtsorters.co.uk', was found by the OFT to have engaged in unfair or improper business practices, including:

• falsely claiming or implying that its debt advice was provided on a free and impartial basis
• failing to provide balanced information in its advertising literature about the different debt solutions available or clear warnings about the risks of entering into debt management plans
• publishing misleading or false customer testimonials.

Debt Connect (UK) Limited was found by the OFT to have engaged in a number of unfair business practices, including providing misleading and inaccurate information to consumers and failing to implement proper practices and procedures....Read more here