Hi johnmc54 and welcome to the trust deed forum.

This type of approach to providing debt advice is extremely poor. I'm really sorry to hear that you have found yourself on the end of it.

There is no requirement for anyone providing debt or trust deed advice to be professionally qualified. That's something we have written about here previously and feel very strongly about. We suggest that anyone reading this thread who is considering taking advice insists on finding out the professional credentials of the adviser first or they may just find themselves dealing with a "salesman". See our blog on the subject at:

(Blog now removed from website)

Companies and individuals providing debt advice do have to hold a consumer credit licence. If you write "consumer credit licence public register" you'll be taken to an OFT webpage where you can check on the credentials of the firm. If they're trading without one it's likely that their actions are unlawful.

It is lawful to charge upfront fees for debt or trust deed advice, but we urge all visitors never to pay such an upfront fee for a trust deed. It's a complete and total waste of money.

In terms of getting your money back I'd suggest:
1 - Contacting the firm and insisting that they either refund your money (because they haven't provided the service) or that they do not charge your card if they haven't done so.
2 - Contact your bank and insist that any such transaction is unauthorised or unfair and request that it be refunded or blocked.
3 - Contact trading standards if you continue to experience a problem.

If you are concerned about your debt I'd suggest you abandon this firm and contact a proper trust deed firm that does not charge upfront fees, a qualified debt adviser who can properly advise you, or a Money Adviser working at your local CAB or Local Authority who will also be fully trained.

Please let us know if we can help more; it would be great if we could help you to make sure that you don't end up out of pocket.

Unfortunately it can be tricky to stop a debit card transaction - I'm not certain but I think the only way is to put a stop on the card and get a new one.

There is no reason why anyone should have to pay an upfront fee when entering into a trust deed. Maybe it would be best to call this company back and tell them that you have changed your mind and therefore wish to cancel the visit, and of course the payment.

There are plenty of advice agencies and insolvency practitioner firms out there that will not charge an up front fee, including the firms represented by the experts on this site.

Hi Johnmc54

Did you get the company's name?

Mark

mark it was yellow brick solutions and they said the company that they are associated with is a company called carrington dean, l checked them and they look genuine and they have a licence but the other firm has nothing

l am trying to call the number they have given me and will keep trying it and let u know how l get on 🙁

Hi johnmc54.

I've never heard of Yellow Brick and cannot find any reference to them online.

Carrington Dean are a well known firm of insolvency practitioners.

Are yellow brick introducers for carrington dean?? I may set myself up as one of those.

Contact the bank to try and stop the transaction,and even if they cannot get the card cancelled so they cant take any more money.

You are correct,if it seems to good to be true its because generally it is!!!

Paul

Hi johnmc54

I am so sorry to hear that you have had such a bad experience, and are financialyy out of pocket. I hope you managed to stop the payment in time. Make sure you do not pay anyone else for advise...when it is readily available for free by many companies.

Unfortunately l have spoken to my bank and they have advised as l voluntarily gave my card details they cannot refund the payment unless l get a police reference number whatever that is?

l called yellow brick solutions to insist on a refund and wont repeat what they said to me but l threatened to report them to oft and the guy laughed and said that will be hard as they dont have a licence!!

l know l have been stupid and will have to accept l have lost my money but surely there must be something l can do as these people told me they were working for the government and it turns out they dont even have a licence!! l wish l had found this site first but have learned and l have an appointment with citizens advice next week to see what they would recommend.

Unfortunately the Bank don't have to automatically refund you as the transaction was authorised by you. However, there may be an option you can pursue:-

Go back to your bank if you have a Visa Debit card and request they invoke the chargeback process - this means that if the goods and services you bought with your card are faulty or if they do not materialise (can be argued in your case), you may be able to get a refund as your Bank may be able to obtain a refund from the recipient's bank. The transaction then becomes a 'dispute' and while it's not guaranteed, both banks would fully investigate your transaction.

I would also contact the police and get a crime reference number as this will add some weight that your request for a refund is genuine and not a case of buyer remorse

good luck

thanks cannypay

l am going to contact the police and my cousin who works for santander has told me to contact trading standards as well as this is basically someone saying they will do something that they are neither qualified or licensed to do. would love to say something stronger but conmen like them are what make the job of proper companies that bit harder.

l will keep you all posted as even if stop one person being conned out of there money l will at least feel a wee bit better.

Hi johnmc54

May be an idea to contact Carrington Dean to see if they have had any involvement with this company.

It appears from the post that this company may do cold calling and then pass the info to Carrington Dean to review as a Trust Deed. They may well be able to put you in touch with the owners.

Mark

Hi johnmc54.

Again, probably an area where some caution is needed in terms of what we write. Carrington Dean may very well have no idea who these people are.

Having said that, in case they do, they might be able to apply some pressure on your behalf if you ask them to?

Hi Trust Deed Assistant

Exactly my point. Someone there may know this firm and may help in cutting through all the calls to get to the right person. Or they might not, but worth trying.

Mark