Debt can happen to anyone. Free advice and support can help you find ways to manage your debts and reduce how much you pay each month.

At East Cambridgeshire District Council we offer advice at our weekly drop in sessions at the Council offices Monday to Friday 10am-4pm. You can call us for advice on 01353 665555 or to book an appointment. You can also come to see us without an appointment - residents will be seen on the day, on a first come, first served basis. 

We can provide information and advice on many matters including debt, budgeting, housing problems, consumer rights, employment disputes and help with claiming benefits. 

Advice can also be sought from other organisations, such as:

Step Change is a dedicated debt charity offering free debt advice and money management.

Business Debtline is run by the Money Advice Trust and can help those who are self-employed or have small businesses.

Visit the Government's MoneyHelper website to help with a Living on a squeezed income and where to access free debt advice. or to help set a household budget.

National Debtline is a charity offering free independent debt advice over the phone and online.

Beware loan sharks and scams

Please beware loan sharks who lend money outside the legitimate agreed standards for money collection. You can report a loan shark (in confidence) online.

Loan fee fraud occurs when people pay an upfront fee for a loan they never receive. it's an increasingly common scam which is reported to the Financial Conduct Authority. The good news is that you can protect yourself with this quick three-step check: 

• If you're asked to pay an upfront fee, it could be a scam
• If you're asked to pay quickly, it could be a scam
• If you're asked to pay in an unusual way, such as vouchers or money transfer, it could be a scam.

Always check that the provider is authorised by the FCA before you borrow. Visit the FCA'S Financial Services Register.