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Online Debtor Community Grows as MySpace Generation Faces Up to Recession
LONDON, December 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Spiralling debt is a reality faced by many in the UK, but is something
few people want to discuss openly. Those in its grip remain vulnerable to
unregulated advice and irresponsible loan practices.
But there is good news, via the Internet. In today's recession many are
turning to a new generation of social networking sites for trustworthy
support with debt problems. Whilst Facebook provides a great place to
advertise things consumers want to publicise ('I'm fun and single'), its much
less helpful if you are looking for discreet advice and support for less
attractive problems.
IVA.co.uk and bankruptcyhelp.org.uk represent a new breed of sites where
those with debt issues can receive impartial advice from their peers, and
preserve their anonymity at the same time. Sites are maintained by
volunteers, often with painful experience of debt or bankruptcy of their own,
and chatrooms are filled with conversations between those who are actually
experiencing debt for themselves - a unique opportunity to share experiences.
Andy Davie, spokesperson for iva.co.uk, said today:
"When debt spirals out of control few people are willing to admit the
problem publicly, and they often become vulnerable to poor advice and hard
sell tactics.
"Registering anonymously on sites such as iva.co.uk or
bankruptcyhelp.org.uk, allows these people to talk to others going through
the same experience, and receive answers to the questions on their minds.
"Via iva.co.uk we are proud to provide a support network to people who
are often suffering from terrible stress and depression.
"In one year membership of our chat forum has quadrupled. Site visits in
October 2007 were 149,000, and this has more than doubled to 341,000 in
October 2008 - a stark indicator of the effects of these difficult economic
times."
If publishing this story, please link to http://www.iva.co.uk and
http://www.bankruptcyhelp.org.uk
About IVA.co.uk
IVA.co.uk is the UKs biggest online IVA community for information and
advice about Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs). IVA.co.uk was formed
in 2005 to help improve understanding of debt and debt solutions in the UK by
providing expert advice and a live forum alongside a regular roundup of the
latest news, statistics, and research from the world of debt solutions. The
IVA Forum now has 8,000 members and over 160,000 posts.
