Hi all,
Just wanted to post a warning as I got caught out by a debt/IVA scam yesterday.
I received a text claiming to be from Overdale enforcement. I panicked and called the number, and they then transferred me to who I believed was StepChange because I’m already dealing with them. After speaking to the real StepChange today, I found out I’d never spoken to them at all. The whole thing was a scam, and my debt management plan is still being processed normally.
I’m now having to report the fraud because I stupidly gave them a lot of personal information. I always used to wonder how people ended up in these situations, but honestly, when you’re vulnerable and stressed, they know exactly how to scare you. They clearly had information about my debt already and used that against me.
I’ve attached screenshots because at first it all looked genuine. The cracks only started to show afterwards — one message claimed they were from “National Debt Help” but the email address was “nationaldebtsline”. I then called the real National Debtline, who confirmed it wasn’t them. That’s when I contacted StepChange and realised the whole thing was fake.
Now I’m left feeling alone, depressed and scared because someone has all of my information because I fell for what I believed to be was enforcement. I never sent over money and all I did was speak on the phone and then send over documents to prove my income and debt to set up an IVA. I could’ve done a lot different but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Please don’t fall for what I did. These people are awful. And if you call them and they “transfer you” hang up and call them yourself like I should’ve.