The PCC; similar to PPI issue?

Any entity without proper checks and balances is at risk for corruption or overstepping boundaries.

09:49 19 June 2013

The PCC will be reviewed due to its incredible power to remove chief constables from service. Sir Hugh Orde is calling for stricter controls and scrutiny of the PCC powers.

 

Any group is susceptible to overstepping boundaries when they have too much power and not enough scrutiny.

 

PPI (payment protection insurance) is one area where many people are making claims in case they have been mis-sold this.

 

Here are the sorts of things that you should take note of when dealing with an entity that has a lot of power or control over you as a consumer:

 

• Deals—while some deals are legitimate, as was the case for some of the people who receive PPI coverage, others received information about how great the product was without the drawbacks being stated. Some did not even qualify to use the benefit. Beware of deals that sound too good to be true.

 

• Refusing requests—if you are speaking with someone and they are refusing to let you think about some type of offer like PPI, or another service, it is safer to go with a definite “no”.

 

Similarly, if someone refuses to let you speak with a supervisor regarding such a programme, then it is also a definite “no”. Someone who adamantly refuses to allow you to speak with a supervisor may be hiding something.

 

• Application—when discussing products and services like PPI find out how it specifically applies to you and what the costs are. Legitimate services are usually going to cost you something, even if is only a small monthly charge.

 

• Working around the system—be a little wary if it seems that a company or entity is working around the system to do something either for you as was the case with those who did not qualify for the PPI, or to charge you.

 

Transactions of any kind, unless dealing with coupons and discounts, should be efficient and worry-free, typically they are preprogrammed into the sales or software system.