What The Financial Services Authority (FSA) Says About PPI?

By Simon P Jennings

Every electronic device comes with Payment Protection Insurance or PPI nowadays, apart from the fact that it is just an ordinary one or an expensive electronic device. Another fact is the application and implementation of PPI on these items has produced many troubles. No doubt, PPI was meant to facilitate the consumers in avoiding a money loss in cases of any urgent situation, several find it haughty and hassle. If any disaster happens, then Financial Services Authority or FSA's job starts.

Financial Services Authority is the monitoring body of every economic institution all over the United Kingdom. As a decision-making authority, FSA deals with the complaints made by the consumers related to PPI. There are several complaints; most common would be related to a failure of payment by PPI or its failure to help a client in protecting them from bankruptcy.

The malpractices in the PPI sector are in the notice of FSA and it has issued many directives to tackle the issue. As mentioned earlier, retailers lure customers into PPI and they agree on getting a PPI to ease out their payment plans.

When they try to repay their dues as per the payment plan and want to use PPI, they find it to be either non-functional or with some serious technical or legal procedures. Simply put, they are unable to use the PPI and have to arrange the payment by themselves. Additionally, in case of any emergency, the PPI proves to be a disaster instead of helping these poor customers.

FSA has taken measures that limit the sales of PPI to unsuspecting customers. It had become a common practice that most durable consumer goods were available with a PPI. When a customer used to buy a product, he used to have no idea about the ramifications of a PPI. When these customers found out about this scam, they had no other choice, but to contact FSA about these malpractices.

FSA has also regularised the clauses included in the PPI plans. Before these new rules were implemented, companies were reluctant to refund the money and many even refused to help the ailing customers. Now they are bound under law to repay every single penny of the affected customers.

The apex regulator has also launched many campaigns aimed at educating customers about the pros and cons of PPI agreements. Additionally, the regulator has started crackdowns on companies that have shady PPI practices. Many companies have already been closed while others have rectified their PPI payments and procedures.

Current news is FSA may put a ban on PPI functioning and practices. Some of the British banks have stopped their PPI programs and they are discouraging any further business with PPI. Chances are bright; Financial Services Authority may decide to impose a ban on PPI because of their failure to take action as a useful tool for the consumers.

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