The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued proposals banning debt packager firms from being paid to refer customers on to other firms.

the regulator explained that debt packagers are regulated providers of debt advice, who refer customers on to other providers of debt solutions. They rely on income from referral fees paid by these other firms. These fees can be many times higher when consumers are referred to an Insolvency Practitioner for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or Protected Trust Deed (PTD). The FCA said this means that debt packagers have a conflict of interest between giving advice in the customer’s best interest, and making a recommendation that makes them more money.

The regulator is concerned that this business model puts consumers at risk of considerable harm from unsuitable debt advice. The FCA says it has seen evidence of debt packagers appearing to have manipulated customers’ details so that they meet the criteria for IVAs/PTDs, and used persuasive language to promote products without explaining the risks involved.

The FCA’s proposals would protect consumers by banning debt packagers from accepting referral fees – eliminating the current business model for these firms.

Sheldon Mills, executive director of consumers and competition at the FCA, said: “Debt advice needs to be good quality and meet the needs of consumers. Too often people who contact debt packagers for help are being given advice that could cause them harm. This is unacceptable, especially as people seeking debt advice are often in vulnerable circumstances.

“Our proposals will address the inherent conflict of interest present in the debt packager business models. This will help protect consumers who need support managing their debts.”

Consumers who enter into an IVA or PTD that isn’t right for them can face serious consequences. For example, if a consumer is accepted onto an IVA following poor advice from a debt packager when a Debt Relief Order would have been more suitable, this could cost them an additional £4,710, and could mean that it takes them five years longer to become debt free.

The FCA says it wants debt advice firms to provide a high-quality debt advice service to consumers, helping them to manage their debts and to access a suitable debt solution where appropriate. The FCA estimates that 54,000 people sought advice from a debt packager in the year to March 2020, and demand for debt advice is rising.

The FCA is working closely with the regulators responsible for insolvency practitioners, who set up and administer IVAs and PTDs, to address issues of mutual concern in these markets and share intelligence. An exchange of letters was published recently between Sheldon Mills and Dean Beale, CEO of the Insolvency Service, outlining respective actions and how both organisations are collaborating to reduce harm.

The consultation is open until 22 December. Subject to the consultation, the FCA expects that new rules could come into force in April 2022.