ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

[Battendown]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

It would be helpful if the the debt programme to be shown first (presumably a pre-recorded film?) could be made available to the potential participants as soon as is practical because that would set the tone for the studio debate.

We on AAD are uniquely passionate about the debt collection industry's disgusting and sometimes unlawful practices. We have statistics to back that up too.

Hi PlanB

I've found out on my TV planner that the show to be broadcast on Channel 5 next Monday at nine is called "Cant't Pay? We'll Take it Away" - Last episode in this brand new documentary series. Paul and Steve set out to repossess a house in a shocking condition where a mother is living with two very young children.

This is then Followed at 10pm by "The Can't Pay" Debt Debate: Live - Live debate exploring how much people in Britain owe, how easy it is to get credit, and why so many people end up financially out of control.

The Documentary seems to be the last one in a series of four.

[CleverClogs (RIP)]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

Me too watching closely , concerned though that the DCAs and the like may get to know who Niddy is and the nastiness could start for him again.

Why suppose that the Welsh nutter who got Niddy sacked hasn't already told all and sundry such details?

[nanna58]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

Me too watching closely , concerned though that the DCAs and the like may get to know who Niddy is and the nastiness could start for him again.

[SA Gold]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

Some really good points raised in this thread. Sounds very interesting. <watching thread closely>

SA

[SaltnVinegar]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

I've fixed your post for you.

Thanks CC - I never like typing acronyms

[CleverClogs (RIP)]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

So why do things not change?

Well simple fact is that they could. The Office of Faffing and Twaddling is a toothless regulator and I fear the Fundamentally Clueless Authority over time will not be much better. There is more than sufficient evidence for the OFT to revoke the licenses of many DCA's based on individual complaints and those from debt charities yet they continue to turn a blind eye.

I've fixed your post for you.

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

Total anonymity is guaranteed UNLESS someone is watching that knows you!! But if you'd rather be called "Oscar from AAD" then I'll tell them that's what needs to occur or we're not interested.

At the end of the day we are the best at this; our mass of templates will have been seen by each bank that attends hundreds of times and well, we know the whole debt spectrum. We're not one trick ponies so it's right that we should go and get stuck in on your behalf.... I'm trying to arrange an Andrew -> Ben telecom tomorrow. Then we'll know more.

[pompeyfaith]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

We must remember that the financial industry are our debtors too, PPI and other misselling are prime examples

[PlanB]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

Don't think I am brave enough!

I think that's something Ben needs to take on board. Anonymity may need to be guaranteed especially to those who have worked in the banking industry who now help on this website.

[PlanB]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

My understanding is that this will be an hour debt show at 9pm next week followed by a live studio debate

It would be helpful if the the debt programme to be shown first (presumably a pre-recorded film?) could be made available to the potential participants as soon as is practical because that would set the tone for the studio debate.

We on AAD are uniquely passionate about the debt collection industry's disgusting and sometimes unlawful practices. We have statistics to back that up too.

[oscar]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

I'd like to bring a few of you with us (andrew & me)

Niddy

Don't think I am brave enough!

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

I've just spoken to Andrew -> Ben -> Andrew -> Ben.

As the real debt experts it's only right we should tip up and give our point of view. I've just explained to Ben my hatred for banks & the system and feel that we might have something to offer this - so long as they let us get our point across.

I'll be talking to both again tomorrow but we may well attend. Assuming we do, I'd like to bring a few of you with us (andrew & me) - you'll not be embarrassed or treated like shit. We'd ensure that did not occur.

My understanding is that this will be an hour debt show at 9pm next week followed by a live studio debate, aka this request.

Niddy

[Spud]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

Personally I think the biggest hurdle regarding this is that the folks on this forum are "Too switched on" to the reality of the world and the way in which it operates. We need to be in this game!!!

As Clever Clogs has correctly stated " Its a nice idea but anybody with any intelligence will realise that things will not work out that way"

Ask the question.......For who's benefit would it be? Certainly not little johnny debtor who through no fault of his own lost his job and had to fight DCA's just to be treated fairly..............Another "Benefit street" style programme? Keep the ratings up?

Others have posted some very real and accurate accounts/Concerns which are very relevant

An AAD "task force" possibly but as an individual would not be sensible.........A lamb to the slaughter........But its ok because it would make good television for those people who are too ignorant to understand that they are only one life event away from this very real nightmare like most of us

Where would that leave Poor old johnny debtor? Well ITN wouldn't care would they? They would be onto their next programme and johnny would be tomorrow's chip paper

[SaltnVinegar]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

Hi Ben

Its likely that you are reading through this thread and feeling that everyone is being overly negative towards something that I'm sure you think would help expose the debt story and maybe foster understanding in those that have never been there.

Please don't take that personally!

Unfortunately for those that have been on the receiving end of it who are so frequently exposed to the vile conduct of the debt collecting industry, and the ill-informed opinions of others, that you can only forgive them for not wanting to put themselves in such a public position.

Just a personal example:

1) I have received threats of physical violence because I choose to help people with payday loans as a result of my own experiences of that 'industry'

2) My children have been spoken to by debt collectors telephoning my house telling them that 'daddy owes a lot of money and is in a lot of trouble'

3) My wife has been told (incorrectly) that we will be made bankrupt (impossible as debt was under the BR limit), and that we would lose our house and she would fail her children as a mother due to making them homeless

4) I have been subject to 14 phone calls an HOUR from the Shop Direct Group who told me the phone calls would never stop

5) I was telephoned frequently at 10pm in the evening and subjected to constant harassment from American Express (who admitted as such by paying out over £1000 in a 'goodwill gesture' but not admitting any liability)

6) Have been accused of not communicating with creditors when postal evidence (recorded delivery), proves the contrary

7) I have received letters stating to ignore the 'dangerous advice' of internet forums and that my use of such would be used in court of evidence of debt avoidance

I literally could go on and on and on, as could many others.

So why do things not change?

Well simple fact is that they could. The OFT is a toothless regulator and I fear the FCA over time will not be much better. There is more than sufficient evidence for the OFT to revoke the licenses of many DCA's based on individual complaints and those from debt charities yet they continue to turn a blind eye.

For example, it is well known that Lowells routinely issue statutory demands as a mechanism for collecting debt, an abuse of practice that the OFT claims to frown on, yet Lowells, and several others have barely received a slap on the wrists.

The 'system' is heavily weighted against the consumer which explains why so few people are prepared to go public with their experiences. Perhaps if you could hide people behind screens, alter their voices etc to guarantee anonymity you may have more luck.

Best wishes

SnV

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

Maybe they need some Niddy & Andrew there; to level the playing field... I'm sure we could tackle a room full of banks, DCA's & PDL spokespersons. Hell if I was really lucky I might meet a CRA spokesperson in the process. They're as bad. Paid for & work to the banks.

Nothing about any of the TLA's mentioned above suggests they're consumerists!! They're not....