CHURCHES that want to help people get out of debt can now use an online service, CCCS Debt Remedy, which has the support of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The service has been launched by Credit Action, a money-education charity.
A spokeswoman for Credit Action said: “Debt advice is heavily regulated, and to offer debt advice you need a licence and indemnity insurance. But there is quite a lot church- people can do without giving advice. They can help them go to the Consumer Credit Counselling Service website, www.cccs.co.uk.”
Dr Williams, who is a patron of Credit Action — a charity that describes itself as “rooted in the Church” — said that he was “delighted” by the new counselling facility.
“Anything that can be done to improve the situation, reduce uncertainty, and bring some measure of confidence in dealing with money matters must be welcome.”
The free online Debt Remedy asks the enquirer such questions as: “Have you recently received a County Court claim form?”; “Have you recently received a letter about bailiffs coming to your home?”; or “Are you using credit to live on?” If he or she answers yes, the programme responds: “You may have a debt problem,” and then leads the enquirer through a debt-remedy assessment. After 30 minutes, the person has a picture of his or her financial position and suggestions about what action to take.