Thanks for the information Chris. I spoke to my IVA people yesterday about my intention to complain about Spectrum. They suggested I complain to the I.F.A(?), as companies such as Spectrum are governed by a different body than that of IP's. My main complaint is misadvice, I've no doubt in my mind that I should have gone into a bankruptcy or at least been advised of it as I had no assetts to protect and my employment would not have been effected, even a debt management plan may have been more suitable on the basis that debt was not that great and I am currently paying at a rate wherby the total debt owed to my credtors (excluding interest) wil likely be paid within the five year IVA period, however, becasue nominee/supervisor fees are so high, a lot of my contributions are swallowed up by them. I'm pretty sure that the IVA was advised to me by the representative of Spectrum for their and the IP's commercial gain. Again, it was definately hardsell as a guy who came round to my house and got to agree it on the same day, he made it sound like a win win situation, almost like buying a new car... I'm aware of the Financial Ombudsman, they are currently looking at a PPI claim I have ongoing, again, another example of misselling on the basis that my dob does not require me take out that type of policy. Would they likely take on a case like this? Do you know whether Spectrum still exist in the same form as it did in 2006(i.e, has the name changed or anything). Suing them sounds quite interesting, however, I wouldn't have the funds available to take them to court. Thanks for your time.

I am currently in the process of making a formal complaint about Spectrum to my IVA people using their complaints procedure. I am not sure whether this is the correct process to follow so any advice would be appreciated. I firmly believe that I should have been advised by the Spectrum representive to consider alternative debt solutions such as debt management or bankruptcy. As it was, I was only advised of the IVA route. I paid 4 instalments of £290 (the amount they advised I would pay in the IVA) whilst the IVA was formally agreed. It was never fully explained to me that my income would be under so much scrutiny and there seems to be no limit to how much my contributions can increase. But I accept that I'm now in this arrangement. I have been paying the IVA for 3 and half years and my contributions have increased to £430 which includes a payment towards supposed extra income that I have earned. What galls me is that part of of the IVA stipulates that a further payment of £1,000 is to be paid to Spectrum for their 'work' in setting up the IVA, this brings the total paid to them to aproximately £2,000. I don't believe I should be paying them anymore than the instalments I paid them prior to the IVA being secured, I also want to know were I stand about them misadvising me in the first place. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. (rant over).