Code of Practice

All transactions

Business Assistance Consultants Ltd shall:

a.    conduct its business lawfully, comply with all relevant legislation and judicial decisions and trade fairly and responsibly.

b.    Behave at all times with integrity.

c.    Act responsibly and with care in the day to day conduct of its business.

d.    Provide adequate training for members of its staff, bringing to their attention the principles of this code  and requiring them to carry out their duties in accordance with it.

Consumer transactions

Business Assistance Consultants Ltd will comply with all relevant legislation benefiting consumers including:

a.    The Administration of Justice Act 1970 Section 40.

The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (and Regulation made thereunder).

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

The Disability Discrimination Act.

The Race Relations Act 1976.

The Data Protection Act 1998.

The Criminal Justice Act 1995.

Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1994.

b.    Use plain English in all communications with the consumer.

c.    In correspondence, use notepaper showing the full business address to which the consumer can reply.

e.    In all contracts by its staff or agents with consumers, ensure our identity is clearly disclosed.

e.    Comply where possible with all  statutory and other reasonable requests by consumers for  information about their agreements and accounts, by arranging to be supplied where necessary copies of documentation and statements of accounts and assist consumers seeking advice and guidance

f.    Give prior written notice to the consumer of any intention to levy collection charges  and ensure that such charges are fair and reasonable.

Confidentiality

Keep in strict confidence any information supplied to us by the consumer or others in relation to the consumer, except where disclosure is authorised by the consumer or permitted or required by law.

Debt collection and defaults

a.    Ensure by continuously examining our collection procedures that they conform to  the highest ethical standards.

b.    Encourage consumers to inform us of  their financial difficulties and respond sympathetically.

c.    Take into consideration all information supplied by the consumer in relation to the reason for non payment or the consumers future ability to repay, if necessary inform the consumer of the availability of advisory services.

d.       Not bring unreasonable pressure to bear on the consumer in default of payment.

General Conduct

Business Assistance Consultants shall:

a.    Safeguard the security of their clients’  monies.

b.    Account to their clients at least once  or as otherwise agreed.

c.    Inform clients of the rates of charges for services.

d.    Not mislead clients or consumers.

e.    Not use aggressive  or intrusive collection procedures or act in a manner that will embarrass the consumer.      

f.     Be discreet when contacting the consumer.

g.    Ensure attempts to make contact with consumers are made at reasonable times and intervals.

h.     Never use improper means to obtain Information concerning a consumer.

i.      Not falsely imply that actions have been taken against the consumer.

j.      Take all possible steps to verify the person being pursued is, in fact, the consumer.