ITN looking for people with debt stories for a TV discussion

[PriorityOne]

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

Hi Ben…. this is a very emotive issue.

Although I've been in a lot of debt myself; due partly to the cack decisions made by the Government of the late 1980s/early 1990s, I count myself fortunate that I had the strength to stand up to the finance industry and all of its incestuous little links while my life was falling apart around that time and for some time afterwards…..

I doubt that anyone in a studio debate could appreciate, or would even want to, the horror stories I could tell them,,,, and for that reason, I would not choose to share those experiences in such an open and public way….. and put up with the moral backlash from people in the audience; some of whom will have had such a privileged middle-class existence, that they won't have a clue about the causes of debt other than irresponsible people choosing to live it up on credit cards, etc.

All I will say is…. there but for the grace of God go any one of us….

[CleverClogs (RIP)]

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

True - but they can be there simply as a person who has a view about debt and the issues surrounding it, whether that be advice for viewers or criticism of lenders.

The fact that they may or may not have/have had debt problems personally is irrelevant and doesn't even need to be suggested, let alone mentioned.

That's a nice thought, but you know as well as I do that the programme won't work like that.

When the spokes-wallah for a debt collecting parasite is confronted with a tale of how they've hounded someone mercilessly, the first reaction will be to attack their critic. The DCA's representative would probably ask if the critic had experienced such difficulties themselves...

If the answer is "yes", then they can be called a debt-dodger and essentially blamed for the current recession.

If the answer is "no", then the representative will claim that hearsay isn't valid and that the situation described didn't actually happen that way.

[pompeyfaith]

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

Debt originates from "The Ugly Face of Capitalism" never had these problems pre 1980's when we had the friendly bank manager on every high street , indeed money is the king now not the human and humanity.

[Never-In-Doubt]

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

I'll explain later as well planB

[PlanB]

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

and how far reaching its consequences can be.

Ben, if you don't already know it was ATW's own firm which won the case against Santander who took one of our members to court for a debt which the bank had no legal right to collect.

You can read about it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17670803


The judgement is here: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/Misc/2012/14.html

[ken100464]

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

Ben

I thank you for your kind offer.

What I know about debt and the dispicable industry it is, Niddy knows a million times over.

If Niddy comes back after chatting to you and thinks it might be worthwhile I may consider. But a few hours reading on debt forums and you see some real horror stories. Everyone is a person an individual who has come upon hard times. Being in debt isnt a crime. But the lowlifes out there try and make you feel like your a crimminal. Despite fraudulently making stuff up lying cheating and generally being out of control.

Most of us would engage to get through our life events if the financial industry actually had our interests at heart. But they dont. Debtors are a nasty offcut from the process of screwing society out of interest and charges and gawd only knows what scams. Once you have been bled dry you get hung out to some of the most lying decietful scoundrals you would ever care to meet.

The people who make money out of distress because you as a taxpayer have paid for a tax break on the bank selling these debts.

Sad thing is society encourages us to engage with them and when you do and when you are down they kick the proverbial shit out of you.

[ATW]

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

It seems like a good opportunity to explain how people end up with debt problems and how far reaching its consequences can be.

[Never-In-Doubt]

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

PM works fine. You're restricted right now - so just post a few more times and that restriction will vanish

We protect users hence stop PM's to newbies to stop any hassle being sent. I'll explain later, will call you myself tonight.

Cheers.

[BenITN]

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

Hi Ken,

Don’t suppose I could have your number please? I’d quite like to discuss.
My email is ben.miller@itn.co.uk in case you want to send it through there.
Please don't PM me on here because it doesn't seem to work very well


Thanks!

[ken100464]

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

I understand what your saying. But most people who understand debt and all the lying cheating and underhand behaviour that goes on from the industry have either been in debt or are in debt. Probably not the sort of thing people really want to discuss as they are ashamed of it and society reinforces the fact you should be ashamed.

People who havnt been in it or worked closely with people who have dont really have much concept. Indeed most of society dont realise they are one life event from being thrown into this sordid world. And when you are there its a pretty scary place.

Eventually you even work out that many of the organisations in place to help you are all intertwined and underwritten by the finance industry.

When you see like today an ex director of the step change charity being employed by Wonga you know they all move in similar circles.

The horror stories you could unearth if you gained people's trust would make your hair curl. But doubt its good TV because the silent masses dont understand and think we are all not paying our dues. All in all the majority dont care till it happens to them.

But everyone is one car crash, one redundancy, one illness away from meeting this dispicable industry head on.

[BenITN]

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

Thanks for the clarification Ben. You have missed the point slightly, which is unless you are paying expenses up front then its still likely that people will be able to afford to make that trip. Its all about cashflow, so its not helpful getting your expenses paid if you cannot afford to eat for 4 weeks until they are.

Make sense?

It does. I should have made it clear that we pay for peoples' train tickets/cabs IN ADVANCE so they don't actually have to part with any money.

People reading this please get in touch.

[SaltnVinegar]

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

Hi -

Thanks for your input. I agree it would be tricky for people living a long way from London, but just to clarify:

1) Expenses WILL be covered by us (as I said in the first post)
2) We can also pay for overnight stays
3) People do not have to be in current debt - can be anyone with debt problems in the past OR people with opinions on loans companies/the state of personal debt in the UK

Thanks for the clarification Ben. You have missed the point slightly, which is unless you are paying expenses up front then its still likely that people will be able to afford to make that trip. Its all about cashflow, so its not helpful getting your expenses paid if you cannot afford to eat for 4 weeks until they are.

Make sense?

[BenITN]

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

True - but they can be there simply as a person who has a view about debt and the issues surrounding it, whether that be advice for viewers or criticism of lenders.

The fact that they may or may not have/have had debt problems personally is irrelevant and doesn't even need to be suggested, let alone mentioned.

[ken100464]

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

Think another problem will be the social stigma still attached to debt not helped by the establishment.

Just have to look at some of the less informed forums about and how they hound debtors. Its not something alot of people want to chat about over tea and biscuits let alone be thrust in the media spotlight with the chance of being recognised by your mates.

Your might go into work and say you have tickets for x factor live or dancing on ice or question time. I doubt you would go into work and brag about being on a debt program however well meaning it might be.

Forums give the anonymity people need to discuss this rather taboo subject.

[Never-In-Doubt]

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

I'll not be available till after 8pm. So if easier I'll call you? Please PM or mail me a contact number; assuming you work that late..?

My number is 0844 6600 575