“Credit card PPI is a modern day snake oil – it’s a useless product, expensive and poorly designed.”

“In this time of economic uncertainty, people are effectively throwing away £970 million each year, when they should be encouraged to seek independent financial advice about protecting their finances as a whole.”

What Is a Credit card PPI or Payment Protection Insurance Refund?

Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) policies were intended to cover the cost of loan repayments in the event of unseen circumstances which could affect the ability to make payments (sickness or unemployment for example). They were usually products sold alongside personal loans, mortgages or credit cards and were designed to provide ‘piece of mind’ that the policy holder could meet his financial commitments should in the unfortunate event of illness or redundancy.

The problem with Payment Protection Insurance is that it was often sold to individuals who had no real need for the insurance and sometimes sold to people who would not even be able to claim on the policy (for example, self-employed people, retired people or the unemployed). Also, policies usually failed to cover for key reasons for sickness absence, like back problems or work related stress. The costs of PPI policies were not insignificant either, with monthly payments sometimes reaching hundreds of pounds.

The concept of payment protection insurance is not a bad one, the problem is how it has been sold – or missold – by financial institutions. Some major banks have already been fined substantial sums for misselling PPI policies. It’s true to say that the misselling of PPI products has landed many banks in a lot of trouble. It is estimated that in excess of £10 Billion worth of PPI policies have been sold and as many as 30 million policy holders might have a claim for compensation. Statistics have suggested that as many as 8 out of 10 of these policies may have been sold incorrectly. Sometimes customers are unaware that they actually have the insurance, not noticing that they have been sold a ‘fully protected’ i.e. insured loan or mortgage. Common reasons why PPI policies could be considered as being missold to customers are as follows:

- The customer was told you it was mandatory to take out PPI in order to get the loan or mortgage

- The customer was pressure sold the PPI policy

- The customer was not informed PPI was also available from an independent insurance provider

- The customer was not told about any exclusions, such as the ones mentioned above

- The customer was not asked whether they already had insurance which would already cover the loan or mortgage

Many PPI holders who think they may have been missold the product are understandably interested in finding out if they have a valid claim for compensation. There are thousands of reports of cases where customers have successfully claimed significant sums of compensation in a relatively short space of time (sometimes a matter of 6-8 weeks).

Vincent Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For advice on Payment Protection Insurance Refunds, he recommends Randall and Vickers.

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Despite the FSA, applying strict guidelines to companies when selling PPI, there are thousands of people who are still sold PPI, either without their knowledge or are misinformed when being sold the PPI.

If you have either gone for a mortgage or credit card or for credit when buying a valuable item like a car for example, chances are that you have come across PPI.

Payment Protection Insurance is an insurance cover that sees to it that your loans are paid, in the event of you becoming unemployed, invalid and even covers death. But, there’s more to it than what meets the eye. Banks are notorious when it comes to approving a reclaim. The Financial Ombudsman Services has said that almost 100,000 people have applied to them complaining that their PPI claim was rejected, and 4 out 5 cases that were heard by the PPI, were resolved in favor of the customer. This is because a vast majority of people have been sold the PPI, under a missell, i.e the PPI was sold to them either by giving misleading or by giving inadequate information.

There are two types of PPI-monthly premium policy and single premium policy.

Under the single premium policy, the premium is calculated for 36-60 months and added to the loan amount. A single policy premium cannot be cancelled and the consumer often ends of paying interest for the PPI, at the same rate as he would pay to the main loan. This type of PPI is generally common in instances where people go for mortgage loans.

Monthly premium policy on the other hand is added to the account on a monthly basis and can be either increased, decreased or even cancelled. This is usually added to credit cards. To check if you are paying for PPI on your credit card , you could simply check your monthly statement.

People who were unemployed, self employed or retired or people eligible for a full sick pay or people who have crossed the upper age limit cannot apply for PPI. But there are many instances of consumers being sold a PPI even though they fall under the above conditions. Also many a times people have been coerced to by a PPI, saying that their loans would stand rejected f they do not go for a PPI. Also people are sold a PPI, without the being informed that they can also opt for cheaper options available with a third party vendor. There are instances of a mis sell and the consumer can apply for a reclaim of the premium paid, in addition to compensation.

To apply for a compensation you have to first apply to the bank that sold you the PPI, mentioning in detail about why you think a reclaim is required and why do you think you have been missold a PPI. If the bank rejects the claim you could contact an attorney or a claims management company (although they sometimes charge anywhere between 25-40 % of the settlement) to reclaim you PPI. In some instances the reclaim would have to be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Services.

The author of this article has immense knowledge in PPI Claims and is in close association with Real Claims. Real Claims is one of the leading companies in the UK specializing in Payment Protection Insurance reclaims. Unlike other PPI Claim companies will take on larger credit card PPI claims going through a litigation process allowing them to potentially claim more money for the client.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paaul_Smythe

By Timothy Capper

Compensation claims for mis sold PPI has hit a new level high this year.

Banks are being forced to set aside millions to deal with credit card PPI claims and quite rightly, but there is a bigger picture to be painted in this global forecast.

It is already interesting to see how things have shifted; just ten years ago, this many PPI claims would have been unthinkable. Now, they are the reality. The financial world has been going through a rather tremulous time, and this is one of the results.

PPI is an acronym that stands for payment protection insurance.

This can be used if you have a credit card that you have not paid off, a loan that you cannot afford, or a mortgage. It is a type of insurance that is supposed to help you make sure that you can afford to make your payments.

As you can imagine, being able to make the payments on a home or a car is very important. Without being able to do so, you might end up having the home or the car taken away from you. This is why people are so attracted to this type of coverage to begin with.

The main reason that there have been more claims now than ever before is because banks have been mis-selling PPI for some time now. They have been doing this in all sorts of different ways. Mostly, they have been adding it into the payment plans that are discussed above. For example, they have been connecting it with mortgages.

They have even been telling people that they have to have it, not explaining to them that it is not compulsory. They have also not been explaining the terms that go along with the insurance, so the people who have “purchased” it have not even known what they bought.

The secondary reason is that the courts have recently ruled in favor of the people and not the banks. They have stated that the banks need to pay back the money on all of the mis sold PPI policies. Some of them were sold fairly and honesty, and those ones are exempt. However, the people who were misinformed or tricked into buying policies that are not helpful now have the backing of the courts as they try to get their money back.

To be fair, many PPI claims this year are for other purposes. They are being made because people need the assistance that they have purchased if they are going to make their payments on time. The disappointing thing is that many people are being turned down for these claims because of loopholes and regulations that they knew nothing about when they made the purchase.

They would never have bought the policies if they had known what they were really getting. This is why people have become outraged and they have started fighting the banks to get back all of their PPI money back.

As mentioned above, it will be interesting to see where all of this goes in the future. Hopefully, the banks will get everything sorted out. They will make things right with those that they wronged. From there, they can start selling legitimate PPI policies again in a trustworthy, honest fashion.

Reclaim mis sold PPI from your bank by making a PPI claims, this should be submitted to the FSA and the courts.

If you have a credit card on which you took out ppi or payment protection insurance you may have been mis-sold the PPI.

PPI on credit cards was forced upon many unsuspecting customers by sales staff, on commission, who lied about many aspects of the insurance. The charges for credit card PPI are particularly bad as the premiums increase when your balance increases so you never know quite what you will be paying each month.

There are many reasons to claim mis-selling of PPI. Take a look at the  PPI mis-selling check list which will help you to establish if you were mis-sold PPI.

It pays to take FREE advice from a PPI claims management company which will cost you nothing but a phone call.

You can establish how long it is taking at the moment to claim back PPI on credit cards as the situation is changing all the time.

If you want to save yourself the percentage fees the claims management company charges which is usually between 15 and 30% you can claim yourself by sending out a letter yourself which you can find on this site.

If you want to save yourself time and possible stress by dealing with your lender yourself make sure you research the internet and find a company which has no upfront fees and charges the least in fees.

Make sure you ask them how long claims are taking and if they are prepared to take the matter to court if the lenders won’t accept your claim.

The sooner you claim the sooner you will receive your ppi money which is something we could all use in these financially lean times.

Credit Card PPI Windfall

By Colin R Hartness

Imagine checking your credit card statements because you had an inkling you were paying a premium for payment protection insurance (PPI) and discovering you had a claim for over £20,000! Well, this is EXACTLY what has happened to a consumer last week. Within 24 hours of submitting PPI Claim Forms he discovered he had been paying PPI premiums all the way back to 1999.

A letter of claim to the lender was immediately sent for over £20,000 reinforced by an undenieable statement of redress for the mis sold PPI. It is becoming increasingly apparent that more and more credit cards have significant claim values and clients in many cases are unaware of the fact they are able to lodge a substantial claim. If you think you may have paid Payment Protection Insurance on a credit card, loan, mortgage, car finance or store card then you should consider making a claim – you too may discover a hidden windfall!

If you do decide to file a claim, it is important to provide the Lender with the clear facts. This can be done be providing a detailed calculation and statement of the precise refund required to place the agreement into the position where the PPI had never ever existed. The loan can then be redressed accordingly.

This can be an extremely complex calculation which is usually taken on by specialist financial claims firms, specialising in payment protection refunds. Software systems which are usually bespoke to claims management firms allow a clear message to be delivered to the Lender that the issues of PPI and other contract breaches need redressing. It is a case of saying to the Lender ‘Here is the precise amount the client is due, if you do not agree kindly show us your calculation’!

In this way, the message is delivered loud and clear to the Lender that you know your rights and you are fully aware of the amount of redress which is due. After all, if you are going to make a complaint, then should you really allow the company that made the mistake in the first place decide on how much you should be refunded? If you have the evidence and calculations to support your case then you will have a much greater chance of success with your PPI claim.

The PPI product is rapidly becoming the case for the largest financial mis-selling of all time. Consumers are advised to be fully aware of their rights so they are able to reclaim exactly the correct amount which they are owed. Only by taking into account all the factors can a true amount of redress be calculated and you never know, you may reclaim a substantial sum even as much as �20,000 in PPI refund.

Colin Hartness is the Managing Director of Fast Track Reclaim specialising in PPI refunds using bespoke Fast Track Systems. Call 0845 459 8895 or visit http://www.FastTrackReclaim.com for more information

By Jeremy Gold

Your finances may be a cause of concern right now, but it is important to remember that there are no debt problems that are completely unsolvable. Although there is no fast-track solution to resolving your current financial situation, a solid plan of action and a change in personal spending habits should be sufficient enough to put your mind at ease.

Step One – Control Your Spending

Managing your cash effectively, and your debt problems will become easier to control. The most important aspect of regaining financial control is organising a budget. If you can balance the books by reducing unnecessary spending, there will usually be enough money left over to chip away at your debts at the end of each month.

If your annual household income is below the �66,000 threshold, you may be entitled to additional benefits and tax credits. Benefits are available for low-income families, the elderly and individuals who are returning to work.

If you are having trouble paying the mortgage, there are three different Government schemes that can help fill the shortfall. The Mortgage Rescue Scheme, in particular, has proved to be a frequent lifesaver for homeowners.

Look to reclaim money wherever possible. Bank and credit card charges are often made unfairly and you might be able to pull in some unexpected funding for other bills. It is also prudent to reassess your council tax outgoings. Somewhat surprisingly, more than 400,000 UK homes are being overcharged.

Step Two – Cutting Overall Costs

Consider consolidation loans as a means of settling emergency debts and reducing your monthly outgoings. Personal loans are a good alternative for those with strong credit ratings, but those with a less-than-perfect repayment history can consider joining a credit union.

Credit cards can often be transferred to a different provider at a preferential interest rate. In many cases, some lenders will waive interest altogether for a limited time period to secure your business. Don’t be afraid to change provider regularly as long as it secures you the lowest repayment levels.

For high credit scorers, a change to a different mortgage provider can reduce outgoings dramatically. A 1% rate drop on a �200,000 mortgage can save a household up to �160 per month.

Step Three – Dealing with Debts

If you can reposition your finances sufficiently, it is important to establish good communication with your lenders. By organising a restructured payment plan, the immediate pressure of debt problems can be relinquished until you are in a stronger financial position.

Consider a Debt Management Plan or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement with a third party company to help get your finances back in shape. Remember to make the right choice between a DMP or an IVA as it can be difficult to reverse an arrangement once a proposal has been accepted.

Jeremy Gold is a freelance author who writes extensively about finance. Find out more about how to get out of debt, and advice on how to manage debt.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Gold
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We all have a love-hate relationship with credit cards, we love the convenience, but hate those sudden rate hikes, sizable fees and higher minimum payments that the credit card companies impose.  If you are looking for a way to avoid credit card charges, read on for a few good tips.

In the past few months many consumers have experienced higher interest rates and  fees, as well as increases in  minimum payment amounts.  If this was not bad enough, the credit limits have been lowered, which raises the risk of unwittingly exceeding your credit limit.

• If you carry a balance and want to transfer it to a low rate card, look out for those hefty balance transfer fees, which can be as high as 5% of your transferred balance.
• If your interest rate increases, you can always call your bank and negotiate.  If you have never been late on your payments, have not exceeded your credit limit and have paid more than the minimum, you have a great chance that they will lower your interest.
• If you are in the habit of exceeding your credit limit, the best way to avoid over the limit charges is to set up online accounts for your credit cards and monitoring them daily.
• Pay your bills on time.  This is an obvious tip, however even paying a day late can cost you up to $39 and you will have to pay $15 if you want to avoid late fees by paying over the phone.
• Sign up for automatic bill paying.  This will definitely help you avoid credit card charges, especially if you often forget to pay your bills.
• Watch out for mail from your credit card bank and be sure you read it, as many banks are mailing notices of raising interest rates or are imposing new fees and subcharges.

The good news is that by the first part of 2010, a new law benefiting consumers will take effect.  This new law will restrict when credit card companies can increase rates on existing customers.  Similarly, banks will be required to alert their customers about the risk of exceeding their credit limit before they make a purchase.

On August 20, 2009, banks were required to give you a 45-day notice before increasing your interest rate, an improvement over a prior 15-day notice requirement. It seems the law is eventually moving toward the consumers’ side and with some discipline on your part, you will be able to entirely avoid credit card charges.

A. Vidaurre is a personal finance researcher who owns a debt elimination website that offers unbiased reviews of debt elimination products and services as well as user feedback. To find out more about do it yourself debt settlement and to get a free 32-page download about debt settlement facts visit http://www.debtreliefprogramreports.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ana_Vidaurre

When it comes to personal finance, a lot of people can get confused. There have been a lot of issues with Payment Protection Insurance as well as credit card charges which have resulted in many people claiming their money back. However, if you’re going to do this, you’ll need to find a bit of information on the web first. Make sure that you do some serious research if you want to get a good deal.

A lot of the time, finding information on the web is really easy. You should have no problems finding what you’re looking for. However, if you don’t do your research properly, you could end up finding misleading information and this is never a good thing. Credit cards are something a lot of people have and there are many ways in which they can help you.

However, if you aren’t careful you can end up with credit card charges and this is never a good thing. There are a few ways to avoid credit charges and you can actually claim back any charges that you think are unfair. Finding this information online is your best bet because there are hundreds of websites that are dedicated to helping people with their finances.

Looking online for a new credit card or information about the charges they can carry is quite easy but you’ll need to take your time if you want to find good information or get a good deal. Make sure that you don’t rush into anything and be sure to keep notes as you browse the web.

Making notes as you surf the web is really simple and is the best way to compare deals and offers or make notes about information that you find. Keep in mind that using the bookmarking feature on your web browser may also help you to keep track of your progress.

Overall, finding information about credit card charges, or finding a new credit card is really easy but you will need to do some research before you sign up to anything. Make sure that you’re completely comfortable before you make any decisions about signing up for a new card.

Author Zoe J Hammond talks about finding information about credit card charges on the web. http://www.simplicityclaims.co.uk has a huge range of options and information available, you should easily find what you’re looking for.

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