ASA action against misleading debt advice ads

The ASA has today published two rulings against companies making misleading claims, in paid-for search ads on their websites.

National Direct Service and Fidelitas Group Limited separately had ads banned which:

• exaggerated the speed and ease that debt can be reduced;
• mislead by suggesting they had associations with debt charities such as StepChange or that they were endorsed by the Government or third parties;
• mislead by suggesting they were qualified to provide debt counselling; and
• including misleading reviews and ratings claims.