#heretohelp - Credit Services Association

#heretohelp

In a unique communications campaign, the Credit Services Association is building confidence in the debt collection sector and encouraging people in financial difficulty to engage early with its debt collection company members.

Money Helper (part of the Money and Pensions Service, MaPS) estimates that 8.3 million people in the UK are over-indebted, however, in a survey of 2,000 British adults, when it comes to money woes there is lots of confusion, with one in 10 thinking ‘debt is rare’. Of those surveyed, fewer than 40 per cent picked an expert as the most trustworthy authority for information and advice, and the survey also revealed what is and isn’t acceptable to discuss – with debt being in the top ten of those that are most off limits.

#heretohelp aims to give people in debt the confidence to engage with CSA members and speak about their money problems earlier than they are currently doing. It also warns against the risks of using the internet and so called “online experts” when it comes to getting money advice. As part of the campaign, the trade body has produced a video, fronted by Brad Burton, one of the UK’s top motivational speakers who was once £25,000 in debt. Brad interviews real life customers of debt collection companies as well as industry experts to deliver a reassuring message that early contact will always result in a better outcome. The video also educates and raises the viewer’s awareness of the work of the debt collection industry including the CSA itself.

View press release

Three shorter versions of the full video can be found here:

Excerpt 1

Excerpt 2

Excerpt 3

What to do if you are contacted

The CSA has also produced a short video outling what to expect if you are contacted or visited by a debt collection agency:

Improving engagement and reputation within the industry

As part of our ongoing #heretohelp campaign we have produced a second video to help show reactions to and support for the initiative from key stakeholders across the industry.

Questions about #heretohelp campaign

- downloadable version available here.

A. We are launching a new communications campaign to help people who are in financial difficulty.

A. The central hub of the campaign is a video fronted by Brad Burton, one of the UK’s top motivational speakers. Brad was once £25,000 in debt and comes to the story from a very personal perspective. He initially “buried his head in the sand”, and knows first-hand what it feels like to be in this position. Brad is now debt free and tells his story to the viewers openly and honestly. Brad also interviews other debt collection company customers who have gone through similar experiences, and whose lives are now better because they decided to engage with the debt collection companies who were trying to get in contact. He also speaks to industry experts to explain more about how the debt collection industry and the work of the CSA can help individuals on their journey to take control of their finances and ultimately become debt free.

A. The campaign is particularly aimed at those who are in financial difficulty and have been contacted by a debt collection company, a debt purchase company or a creditor. It is also aimed at those family or friends who may know of someone in debt.

A. As the trade body representing professional debt collection and debt purchase companies, our mission is to build confidence in the sector and encourage those in financial difficulty to engage early with our members. We want people to know that working with a CSA member means working with a business which will treat them fairly and with compassion, and in strict adherence to a Code of Practice.

A. The Money Advice Service (now part of the Money and Pensions Service, MaPS) estimates that 8.3 million people in the UK are over-indebted¹ which when put another way, around one in every eight of us. Research carried out by the CSA in 2013 and then re-visited in 2019 shows that although perceptions of the debt collection industry have improved, there is a reluctance for customers to engage when contacted by a debt collection company. Letters and phone calls continue to be ignored and many still turn to the internet for advice. Sadly, the information received is more often than not misleading and irrelevant, making a difficult situation worse and in some cases sees a customer falling into further financial detriment as a result.

This also tallies with what some of the debt advice charities have found whereby almost 30% of people in financial difficulty admit they wait three to four years before reaching out for debt advice².

Money is a difficult subject for many of us to discuss; being in debt is even harder to talk about. The stigma attached to debt is a barrier to conversation which is in turn is a barrier to finding a solution. Following a number of years of collating research and monitoring customer behaviours, and with years of austerity and ongoing economic uncertainty, now is the right time to launch the campaign.

¹Mapping the unmet demand for debt advice in the UK, July 2018: Money Advice Service.

² www.payplan.com/blog/a-third-of-people-wait-up-to-four-years-before-getting-debt-help/

A. The campaign is called #heretohelp. We want people to know that help is available, that they are not alone, and that they can have confidence to engage with CSA member companies.

A. The video was officially premiered during the CSA’s annual conference, the UK Credit & Collections Conference UK on Thursday 12 September at Crowne Plaza, Newcastle upon Tyne. The video forms part of an extensive communications campaign fronted by the CSA.

A. No. The campaign will also be supported by an ongoing communications campaign using print and online media, as well as engaging with key stakeholders to get the message out there that our members are #heretohelp.

We will be encouraging our partners and industry contacts to share the message across different networks, sectors and most importantly, with over-indebted consumers. As an industry it is important that we all work together to share this message and start to reduce the stigma attached to talking about debt in the first place. As part of the campaign, we are approaching Government, the free debt advice sector, consumer campaign groups, think tanks, politicians and different factions of the financial services industry to help us in educating and reassuring consumers.

A. Always look for the CSA logo. This is the quality standard that reassures you that you are dealing with a company that will work with you in achieving a successful outcome. You can view a list of CSA members here.

A. The video can be viewed here.

Please contact colleen.peel@csa-uk.com, or call 0191 217 3070, if you would like to support the campaign or require further information.

For media enquiries, please contact Gravity London on 020 7330 8810.