StepChange Debt Charity welcomes tougher rules for PPI firms

_{13 November, 2013}

In response to the Ministry of Justice announcement on tougher restrictions on PPI claims management companies StepChange Debt Charity head of press and public affairs Frances Walker said:

“Increasing the powers of the Claims Management Regulator is a crucial step towards protecting vulnerable consumers from the constant barrage of nuisance calls offering Payment Protection Insurance Services (PPI) claim services. Today’s announcement is a welcome move toward this. Our research found that 3.2 million Britons have been left afraid to answer the phone as a result of unsolicited marketing calls and text messages.

“StepChange Debt Charity’s Got Their Number campaign called for increased powers and resources for regulators. The problem of nuisance calls is not limited to the claims management industry. Consumers have lost control of their personal data and are now bombarded with calls for potentially harmful services like payday loans and fee-charging debt management. What we need now is stronger powers for all regulators – Ofcom, Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – to ensure better protections for all consumers”.

_{Notes to editors}

• _{Figures are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,017 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20th - 23rd September 2013.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).}
• _{StepChange Debt Charity calculations based on population figures from the ONS: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-231847}