Joseph Harris, Debt Control Man

Lending Code secrecy 'is a disgrace'

The new Lending Code, which replaces the credit and financial difficulties sections of the defunct Banking Code, is due to come into effect on November 1. Some nineteen short days away. There is to be no public sight of these changes, nor any consult... Read >

Debt Crisis 7 - DIY or Intermediary

Whatever route you take to controlling your debt the task is going to seem daunting. There is little you and there is this giant clever company filled to the brim with people out to get the money from you. Sort of! Anyway you feel the need to hide behi... Read >

Debt Crisis - 6 Is Debt Negotiation Bad?

This is an actual search question, and clearly concerns people who face debt problems. The short answer is most certainly ‘no'; debt negotiation should be quite a regular thing. Though few of us really want to do much of it. But it is the best way ... Read >

Debt Crisis - 5 Preparing your first letter

I hope you have decided that approaching your creditor(s) by letter is the best way forward. For perhaps the most important thing in your dealings with companies is making sure there is a record of what has passed between you. While there is but one of... Read >

Debt Crisis - 4 Avoiding Sharks

My slang dictionary [Jonathon Green, Cassell] shows a lot of ‘shark' and ‘sharks' and there are two basic concepts - the trickster and the specialised ‘supplier of private loans at maximum interest'. I will put aside my general view of the whole ... Read >

Debt Crisis Control - 3 First Action

There are important things to do if you find yourself in a position where you can no longer maintain repayments on any loans or credits. I have written separately on the moment of panic, and I just would remind you not to make any decisions when you ar... Read >

Debt Crisis 1 - The Moment of Panic

There is a moment - as the full realisation of debt out of control hits - when, at least metaphorically, the knees buckle, the head swims, and the urge for flight swells to an almost irresistible force. This is the 'Moment of Panic'. More accurately ... Read >