8 December 2021: A partnership between global information services company Experian and TIPTrust, which supplies data and technology to the free debt advice sector, has helped transform the delivery of free debt advice during the pandemic.
By providing faster, more accurate client data to debt advisers, the partnership has enabled those seeking free debt advice to get the personalised support needed to start their journey towards regaining control of their financial situation during the pandemic.
Covid-19 has had a profound financial impact on many of us with research suggesting 40% of people experiencing a pandemic-related income shock. While some can fall back on their savings or access credit to soften the blow, it can be much more damaging for those who can’t and seeking impartial debt advice becomes even more essential.
Through the TIPTrust self-service Debt Adviser Support Portal, more than 800 advisers were able to gain instant access to detailed credit reports from Experian, alongside open banking data and reports from another credit reference agency. This data helps advisers quickly and easily establish a comprehensive view of each client’s indebtedness so they can more effectively guide them towards an appropriate solution, such as a Breathing Space, a Debt Relief Order, or an informal debt management plan.
The partnership also played a huge role in the switch to remote advice delivered from home at a time when lockdown restrictions prevented face-to-face advice.
Ryan Hayes, TIPTrust COO, commented: “We understand the challenges faced by debt advisers and believe in technology, which is designed to enhance, rather than replace what they do, saving them time and money in achieving the best possible client outcomes. Without Experian on board with a low-cost supply we couldn’t have supported the sharp increase in demand for free credit report data when advice had to be delivered remotely during the pandemic and this partnership will continue to be important in giving advisers easy access to creditor information for those who need it most through whatever means the advice is being delivered.”
A TIPTrust customer survey carried out in the summer highlights many of the positive impacts the Debt Adviser Support Portal has provided to advisers and their clients, including:
Ryan Hayes continued: Debt advice delivery is complex and challenging – clients often have multiple needs and gathering all the information together to provide accurate advice can be an additional strain. We aim to support advisers with technology and data to remove some of these barriers and improve the experience for the adviser and their clients in the process. Credit reports are an important part of this and following our survey, you can see the positive impact but we can do much more.”
James Jones, Head of Consumer Affairs at Experian, commented: “We’re delighted that our partnership with TIPTrust has helped advisers provide essential and timely support to people struggling with unaffordable financial commitments, especially given the impact the pandemic has had on the way many services are able to work. We’re all too aware of grave financial impact the pandemic has had on many communities, particularly the vulnerable, and the knock-on effect on people’s mental wellbeing. The debt advice sector provides such a vital lifeline for consumers, and we’re pleased that our work with TIPTrust has helped support the continued availability of free, high quality debt counselling during what has undoubtedly been a very challenging time.”
-ENDS-
Media contact:
Joe Green, Senior PR Manager, Corporate & Business, UK&I, Experian
Tel: 07812 737 768 / Email: joseph.green@experian.com
About Experian
Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments – from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers – we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organisations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
We have 20,000 people operating across 44 countries and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people, and innovation to help all our clients maximise every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group.
About TIPTrust
The TIPTrust self-service Debt Adviser Portal is designed to cost-effectively help not-for-profit organisations increase the efficiency, quality, and accuracy of their digital, telephone, and face-to-face advice services. By securely providing instant access to the most thorough and accurate client creditor data, the portal removes the administrative burden, saving debt advisers time and money and improving client engagement and outcomes.
Since it was launched as The Insolvency Panel (TIP) in 2016 and then becoming TIPTrust, the Debt Adviser Support Portal has supported more than 270 agencies and 800 individual advisers with free access to credit reports and open banking sessions. The portal will be continually improved in consultation with users and as a result of our campaigning for improved access to client data.
TIPTrust provides data and technology services to a range of organisations. Our customers are non-profit and charitable advice services. We are committed to providing services at the lowest possible costs, ensuring accessibility to organisations often relying on volunteers with limited funding, doing important work to support people in their time of need. Through our Debt Adviser Support Portal or through direct supply, we can offer data and tech to support advice services, helping advisers to support their clients. www.tiptrust.co.uk/