The Somerset County Gazette reported this week on a group of conmen in their local area.  The group were offering debt advice with regards to council tax payments. 

The conmen have been seen operating in the Taunton, Sedgemoor and Deane areas.  They have been posing as council employees, offering debt help, or advice on how to reduce their council tax bills.

Once they have duped their victims, they have then convinced them to hand them their bank account details, or to ring them back on premium rate phone numbers. 

Unfortunately these sorts of practices are not one-offs.  A great many people, especially the elderly and other vulnerable groups are conned by similar scams.  MRA Debt Help, like many other debt help organisations will never cold call, whether it be by phone, letter or in person. 

If you are struggling with debts, or need any kind of debt help, then call MRA Debt Help to speak to one of our debt counsellors. 

A recent survey by Friends Provident has shown that young people are getting better at debt management techniques.  The research centred around young people aged 21-29, and came up with some great findings.

31% of those surveyed said that paying off their debts was a priority, with 25% saving for a house and 11% saving to fund a career break.  With debt management a priority for the younger generation, it seems that the future could prove better than expected.

Its not just their views on debts that should be applauded.  44% of those surveyed are already paying into a pension scheme, with 30% looking to start a pension before they reach 30.  Having goals like these could stop them from becoming one of the many debt management cases we see where older generations are unable to survive on their pension income.  

For help in debt management, or in any aspect of financial planning call MRA on 01424 777156

Huge increases in utility costs over the past year have caused large numbers of people to suffer from debt problems in the UK.  The increase in prices wasn't always reflected in consumers direct debit payments, leaving them with utility debts that they did not expect!

In a stark contrast, some customers found themselves facing increases to their direct debit payments that made them struggle to pay their outstanding unsecured debts.  The fear of having their electricity or gas cut off caused some to put their loan and credit card payments on the back burner while they tried to figure out how to cope.

OfGem, the energy regulator has mentioned in recent weeks the prospect of capping energy prices to help debt ridden consumers.  The cap has been suggested as a way of giving debt help to consumers across the country struggling with their energy costs.  The cap is supported bt the Department of Energy and Climate Change, who are looking into  whether energy prices are fair for consumers or not. 

A cap on prices would undeniably help debt management clients, due to giving them a little extra disposable income to help with paying their unsecured debts.  If you are struggling with debts, then call MRA Debt Help on 01424 777156, where one of our debt counsellors can help you control your budget and work your way out of debt.

British Gas have recently unveiled their new energysmart system, with a free energy meter.  The new system has been met with the usual mix of negative and positive acclaim.  Debt1's recent blog post slammed smart meters as being bad for their debt management clients, but we at MRA Debt Help feel somewhat differently.

The system is a new way of metering your gas supply, with an easy way to manage your usage.  Currently, utility bills can be a cause of some concern for our debt management clients, with huge increases over the past couple of years.  Hopefully British Gas' new system will help debt management clients to control their bills the same way as they manage their debts. 

The system involves a smart meter, which is a free energy monitor, telling you how much energy you are using - or wasting, enabling you to cut back on unnecessary usage.  Kjnowledge is key with debt problems.  Much in the same way that budgeting is vital in debt management, knowing how much energy you are using is vital in reducing your energy bills.

The billing process is slightly different too.  You submit your own energy meter readings, only paying for the energy you use, which could help debt management clients that are currently locked into high direct debit payments.

If you are struggling with your utility debts, call MRA Debt Help on 01424 777156 to speak to one of our counsellors for free debt help

A recent newsletter from Transact - the national forum for financial inclusion, has highlighted an increase in the numbers of people seeking free debt help from its member organisations.  This, coupled with a reduction in funding for free debt help organisations has put alot of pressure on their members.

The survey of their members showed that over half had noticed an increase in demeand for free debt help services, and 75% said that demand had increased 'a lot' or 'significantly'.  Their members also said that the numbers of middle class and young people seeking debt help had increased too.  This is something that MRA Debt Help have been warning of in our debt blogs for a while. 

Transact's member organisations are also worried about the current lack of funding, or reduction in funding.  60% of members were worried about how to maintain existing funding.  David Hull, from a Money Advice Team commented that current funding constraints may lead him to consider staffing levels.

MRA Debt Help offer free debt advice with no obligation, and can potentially suggest the most suitable debt solution for you.

Yes its that time of year again when we are inundated with the gloss and glamour of retail advertising, trying to get us to spend every last penny we have on ensuring that our families have a great Christmas.  But what we tend to forget is that January feeling, when all we want is to be debt free!

MRA Debt Help's Debt Management Clients often have a crash course in budgeting as part of their debt management plan.  Knowing how much you earn, and how much you spend is an important part to becoming debt free.  Downloading our budget form and filling it in as honestly as possible can go a long way towards ensuring that you fully understand your finances, and sometimes that is all the debt help that our clients need. 

Bright Grey released figures this week, showing the amount of Britons that underestimate the cost of their monthly bills.  With people underestimating their bills by as much as £964 per month, it is easy to see how clients can fall into debt problems.

It shows how important a thrifty Christmas can be.  Thrifty doesnt have to be boring - Channel 4 are currently running a show featuring Kirsty Allsopp about having a homemade Christmas.  When you sit down with MRA Debt Help's budget form, you need to work out how much you can afford for Christmas without hitting the credit cards or payday loans. 

When you know how much your Christmas budget is, then you can work out how much you can afford to spend per person.  Don't forget to add all the bits that you wouldnt normally think about, like wrapping paper, sellotape - and also how much you want to spend on your decorations and Christmas dinner!

The Citizens Advice Bureaux across the country are dealing with more debt help cases than any other query.  They have received over 3 million debt enquiries since April last year, compared with 2.7 million benefit enquiries - their second biggest subject.

Their latest figures also show a big increase in the numbers of people seeking debt advice.  The last quarter has seen them take on 573,000 new debt help enquiries.  These figures come a day after Creditaction released details of a drop in the total UK consumer debt.  Part of the rise in numbers is down to a 28% rise in the number of people seeking debt help regarding a secured loan or mortgage. 

MRA Debt Help say these figures should act as a warning for people to budget carefully over Christmas.  The festive period often brings many people to our door in January, once they've realised how much they have spent.  For more information on how to budget properly, or for debt advice on any type of debt, then visit MRA Debt Help, or call 01424 777156