More limits should be put in place over debt collector contact, says charity

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, a charity chaired and founded by consumer champion Martin Lewis, is urging the Government to charge regulators with limiting how often debt collectors can contact people. I am becoming more reclusive as a result.” Money and Mental Health said that while guidance states creditors and debt collectors should not contact people in arrears “at unreasonable intervals”, it does not stipulate how often is too much. The sooner there are specific protections put in place to limit how and how often debt collectors can contact people about missed payments the better Martin Lewis Mr Lewis said: “We know that being bombarded with letters, calls and threats of court action from debt collectors can lead people to feel hopeless, helpless and even contribute to people becoming suicidal. “It then needs to ensure that it has a serious package of measures to tackle the suicide risk that the cost of living crisis is causing.” Helen Undy, chief executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said: “It’s vital that the Government acts quickly to stop people being deluged in this way.