Complaints Against Shoosmiths

They represent firms who are debt collection and debt purchasing companies who either appear in the DBSG (The Debt Buyers and Sellers Group) and/or mentioned in consumer finance forms. They have a legitimate function as debt collectors, but there is some indication that some such companies (not necessarily clients of Shoosmiths), and especially the debt purchasing element, go a bit too far sometimes and can make people's lives a misery when those same people are at their most vulnerable. We do not suggest that they are acting outside the law, but getting that letter or phone call is not exactly helpful to you right now.

So the first thing you must do if clients of Shoosmiths (or indeed Shoosmiths themselves) are bothering you is not to panic or despair. That's just what they want! They'd love you to call their number and speak to their specially trained sales team for 'advice'. But once you do that you'll be suggestible to whatever they tell you, instead of getting independent advice. While we always say that you should keep an open dialogue with debt collectors, we would recommend that you do so in writing only. This will prevent them 'railroading' you into any action which is not in your best interests, as they so love talking people into doing things on the spur of the moment. Of course, they are only doing their job, but that's hardly a consolation for you in the present situation.

There are several courses that are open to you, and some will suit your own situation better than others.

A sensible option, we would suggest, is a debt management plan or even an IVA - which is designed to actually write off a large chunk of your unsecured debt. But you would need to take advice on this and look at your income and expenditure in detail. This option won't suit everyone. There's more on this below.

But first a word of warning. You may be tempted to get a payday loan. There is no shortgage of advertising for them. The problem is that the interest rates are extremely high. Consequently we cannot recommend them. In any case, they are designed only to be used over the very short term and are quite unsuitable for long term debt management.

As an alternative you could apply for a 'logbook loan' which many people find a very useful option. It is actually a loan secured on your car, except you get to keep the car and keep the cash as well! That's why some people find it such a good idea, as it unlocks the equity in your vehicle without taking away your means of transport (there's no need to sell the car). To apply for a logbook loan click here.

Yet another option is a no credit-check guarantor loan. This is especially useful because your own credit rating is not looked at; you must find someone else willing to act as a guarantor for you such as a friend or family member. This is an ideal solution if you're at the stage where your credit profile has been downgraded by recent events, etc. So click the following link for Unsecured Loans that don't need you to be credit checked.

Are you owed money? Have you been missold Payment Protection Insurance with your credit card, loan or mortgage? PPI Advice Line will advise customers openly and honestly about the chance of making a successful claim for their compensation. Find out if you have a claim by clicking here.

If you wanted to try a debt management plan, then we provide a whole-of-market service, with a number of debt management experts on our panel. So whatever your circumstances, your application will find the plan for you, meaning the optimum outcome for your situation. It also means there are no minimum requirements for debt levels or income.

NOTE: If you have at least two accounts in debt, and total debts of £2,000 or more, enter your details below to see if you qualify. (But if you owe less than this, or are on state benefits, then use this link to apply instead.)

Your browser doesn't support IFrames. To view the application form please <a href="http://www.traffic-clearing-house.com/Leadsdb/direct_api/iframes/debt-management-form.php?tchid=e390fc811006d746f209b961a94e8958&subtype=CPA"> click here.</a>

DPC Registry. Consumer Credit Licence number 633327.

Please be aware that figures entered need to be accurate by law, and to give the best service to you. It is extremely important that you budget for all necessary expenditure including rent or mortgage, council tax and utility bills, etc., and any other necessary outgoings related to the upkeep of your household and in relation to any specific circumstances that may relate to you. This website only collects data on behalf of debt management professionals, from which it will receive affiliate remuneration for data collection only and does not itself engage in any debt management services. Other debt management options are available and may be more suitable. People entering into an IVA or debt management will have this entered on their credit profile and this may affect their ability to get credit in the short term or even in the long term in some cases. It is free to apply from this website; you will be given advice by debt management professionals and a 'cooling off' period, by law, to decide whether or not the debt management plan is suitable for you, and you should be aware that a fee will be chargeable upon a successful arrangement, as with any commercial transaction. Failure to meet the repayments on an IVA or any debt management programme may result in serious consequences, including, but not limited to, bankruptcy. Bankruptcies, CCJs and similar defaults will be entered into a public register and will remain there for a statutory period of not less than six (6) years.

Shoosmiths and the Truth About Your Debt

Shoosmiths Ltd is a solicitors firm representing a debt collecting company which has purchased the debt from the original creditor for a fraction of the original value and is brazenly attempting to recover the full value from you.

Shoosmiths will use a variety of methods to get money out of you in order to profit from you. You may have already experienced bad dealings with them on the phone or by letter. They may call you at strange times when they know it is inconvenient for you and do this lots of times. They may send you official-appearing nastily worded letters or cards threatening to send people round to collect the amount in full or take you to court if you cannot pay. Other tactics may involve saying that they will make a charging order on your property or make you lose your home.

So ask Shoosmiths for a copy of the original contract when you took out your loan or credit card.

Take a look at the Insolvency Service's leaflet called 'In Debt', downloadable here.

Complaints Against Shoosmiths

Shoosmiths

Solicitors Who Act On Behalf Of Debt Collecting Firms

Shoosmiths and the Truth About Your Debt