In most cases people that get into debt are not reckless or careless with credit but find themselves in this situation as a result of circumstances such as:

• loss of income through redundancy, reduced overtime or a change of job
• divorce or separation
• illness or other life changing events

Many people will contact us after attempting to keep up with the repayments on their debts for a period, but without success. Actually these debts are often increasing on a daily basis with added interest and charges and their payments are not actually reducing the balance.

The Insolvency Service has published this guide In Debt? Dealing with your Creditors it explains the various options for helping deal with your creditors, how they work and some of the pros and cons of each. It is important not to use the guide as a substitute for getting expert advice on which option is best for you. It is important to seek advice early.

At Debt Advice Link, we appreciate that when people are having difficulties with debt it becomes a sensitive issue. By having a financial consultation with one of our professional debt advisers, we believe we can help you make this situation easier to deal with. The worst thing when you have money troubles is to do nothing and to hope the problem will go away.

Subject to status. Conditions apply. Repaying your debt over a longer period may increase the total amount to be repaid.

Undertaking a Debt Management Plan, IVA or Trust Deed will affect your credit rating and your ability to obtain credit will be affected in the short to medium term and might be affected in the medium to long term as you will be in default on your original credit agreement. Your creditor will therefore be entitled to send you a Default Notice that may remain on your credit file for up to 6 years.

* You are still responsible for paying your essential living costs like rent/mortgage, council tax, utility bills and travel etc. *

Fees payable. Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes. Calls from UK landlines are normally free; calls from mobile networks may be charged, please check with your service provider for details.