Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides advice that is free, confidential and independent to help people overcome their problems. They are a voice on issues that matter to people and have strong roots in local communities.
If they identify an area where consumers are being treated unfairly by big corporations, the Citizens Advice will launch awareness campaigns to help as many affected people as possible. On rare occasions, if the situation requires it, action is taken by the Citizens Advice to encourage action to change what is affecting many people.

CAB and Mis-sold PPI

Once such action led to something being done about the PPI mis-selling scandal.
In 2004 Vince Cable, then Lib Dem Treasury spokesman, demanded an investigation into ‘inflated premiums and anti-competitive behaviour.’ A year later the Citizens Advice Bureau intensified the pressure for an investigation by releasing their own findings on PPI and how PPI had been sold after completing a survey of CAB clients.
The CAB survey of client debt started in 2001 and found 85 per cent had been unsuccessful in claiming on a PPI policy. Comparatively industry figures show that 85 per cent of claims were successful. This suggests that PPI is a problem for those who face financial and social exclusion as they are vulnerable borrowers who face financial difficulties.

There were four key areas highlighted:

Expensive prices – with premiums often adding 20% to the cost of a loan, and in the worst cases over 50%.
Ineffective policy structure – designed to exclude people from cover or limiting the chances of a pay-out to someone who was genuinely ill.
Mis-sold policies to consumers – these were often ineffective and without the customers knowledge / consent. They were sold as mandatory instead of optional, or sold to people such as the self-employed who would never be able to claim.
Inefficient PPI complaint handling procedures – claimants facing delays or complicated claims procedures, leading to further indebtedness and court action. Some borrowers couldn’t successfully claim on their PPI policy due to requirements for medical evidence that were unreasonable. Some CAB clients couldn’t afford getting medical evidence, so this was a barrier to claiming.

Source: Source:theguardian.com

Get FREE PPI Check** Before the PPI Deadline – 29th Aug 2019

1. We call you to start your PPI Check & Complete Forms

For us to proceed with your FREE PPI Check**, we will need to speak with you to confirm some details, including your FULL NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, and ADDRESS DETAILS (CURRENT AND PREVIOUS). We will also discuss which lenders we can investigate for you.

Once we have set up your PPI Check, we will post forms out for you to read, sign and return to us. You can call us on 0333 443 9158 if you notice any details need changing.

2. You Sign, Date Documents & FREEPOST Back to Us

Sign and date the forms and return to us in the free post envelope provided – no stamp required!

3. Your PPI Check(s) are Registered with Lender(s)

We register your PPI check with your lender.

On average, a response will be issued within 6 weeks from your PPI information check being sent to your lender, although timeframes vary dependent upon the lender.

4. The Lender(s) Locate & Verify Account Information

If your lender cannot locate you or requires verification in order to release details, we will be in contact to obtain some further details of you in order for us to return them to complete the check.

5. Account(s) & PPI Status Confirmed by Lender(s)

Once you have been located/verified, your lender will return to us with confirmation of all accounts you have held with them for as far back as their records go. They will also confirm the PPI status of each account.

6. PPI Check Outcome(s) & Options Are Discussed With You

If you have not paid PPI, we will contact you to advise you of the same.

If your lender is unable to confirm whether PPI is on a particular account – we will contact you to advise you of your options moving forward on the possibility of presenting your claim for your refund.

If PPI is located on your account – we will again contact you to advise you of your options moving forward on presenting your claim for a refund.

A Special Note For Multiple PPI Checks

If you have multiple checks with us for multiple lenders, the time-frames of responses from lenders may vary, however we will always ensure that we advise you of which lender correspondence refers to and be available for support and guidance throughout this process on 0333 443 9158, should you so require.