To: Martin Wheatley, Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority Back the Charter to Stop the Payday Loan Rip-off We believe irresponsible payday lending and other high cost credit is damaging the health and wealth of our country. Payday lenders are exploiting millions of people across the UK, trapping them in spirals of debt, and the problem is getting worse. Payday lenders are breaking promises they made in their own customer charter. Self-regulation has failed. We call for effective regulation of payday lenders and high cost credit, which is properly enforced, to: • Stop them giving loans to people who can’t realistically afford to pay them back • Stop them repeatedly rolling over loans and creating spiralling debt • Stop hidden or excessive charges • Stop them raiding borrowers’ bank accounts without their knowledge and leaving them in hardship • Stop irresponsible advertising and instead provide clear and transparent information • Require lenders to promote free and independent debt advice, and ensure they co-operate with other services to help people get out of debt. We also want action to support the growth of credit unions and other forms of more responsible lending; we want banks to increase the availability of credit to people on low and middle incomes; and we want new research on capping the total cost of credit undertaken now. Sincerely, [Your name]
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 18:10:30 +0000