This checking tool’s intended use is for advertisements to which the Consumer Credit (Advertisements) Regulations 2010 (CCAR) applies. Specifically, it applies to bullet points and company names within any listing on Yell Marketplace. Certain words trigger a requirement to include a risk warning and/or a representative APR in an advertisement.
An advert using trigger words can only be compliant if a risk warning statement can be included in upper case, prominently, and in the same advert capsule space. For example, trigger words can be included within a business' website as long as they are accompanied by the relevant risk warning.
Minimum requirements
If any advertisement does not satisfy all of the requirements below, it should not be published.
Plain and intelligible language
• You should be able to understand it and be confident that the man on the street would also understand it.
• For example, is it clear to you, what product or service is being offered or promoted and who is offering/ promoting it? A logo, which includes the name is sufficient.
Legibility
• Is the font big enough throughout the advertisement (including small print) for you to read easily?
Name of the business
• Is the person, firm or company, whose products or services are being offered or promoted, clearly stated in the advertisement itself?
• If there is more than one business, each must be named.
Blacklist and Whitelist – Explanatory Note
The Blacklist and Whitelist are set out in the two tables and follow the format explained below.
Type of information OR trigger contained in the advertisement | Sample terms/phrases that may be used |
Name of the business | Examples of the type of terms or phrases you may see are listed using bullet points. To help you know what to look for in the Whitelist, it lists examples of terms or phrases that would and would not be triggers. Terms or phrases which may be used in advertisements are marked with a ✓ and triggers, which would be caught by the Blacklist, with a X. This is to show you that the same or similar terms/phrases could be triggers when stated in a particular way or accompanied with further information. For example, the name of the business will not usually be a trigger if it is a name or a factual statement about the business – see below. • Joe Bloggs & Co✓ |
Blacklist
Use of any of the following terms/phrases will trigger the inclusion of either a representative APR, a wealth (security) warning or other information that may not be in the advertisement; or if they are, may be incorrect. You must refer the advertisement to policy.feedback@yell.com if it contains any of these.
Please note that the terms/phrases that appear in an advertisement may not be exactly the same as stated below. Please refer to policy.feedback@yell.com if you think an advertisement may be caught.
Trigger | Sample terms/phrases that may be used |
Frequency of repayments (if advertising loans secured against an individual's home) | A description of how often a customer would have to make instalments to repay the loan or credit. Details of how many payments a customer must make to repay the loan or credit. |
Amount relating to the cost of credit | An amount in relation to the cost of credit expressed as a sum of money or proportion of a specified amount of money – this can be a figure or a percentage of the balance (where no figure is stated) or a specific reference to there being nothing to pay, even if it is for a limited time only. This does not include a statement of the amount of the loan or credit available where no reference is made to the cost of the credit (see the Whitelist). |
Amount or description of any other payment or charge | Any other payment, charge, or fee, payable in relation to the loan or credit, a deposit, advance payment, or default charge (e.g. a charge for failing to make a payment on time). These amounts (or a description of them) are especially likely to be included where the business is a credit broker/person arranging finance (i.e. a business that is not a lender). References to there being nil/zero/no payments etc. will also be triggers. |
Rate of any charge or fee | Any rate (rather than an amount or description) or reference to a rate of charge or fee. This includes an interest rate and any mention of a zero, 0% or “interest free” rate. |
APR | Any reference to APR, annual percentage rate, typical APR etc. |
Non-status indications | Any indication that the loan or other credit is available to individuals who might otherwise consider their access to credit to be restricted. These business's may have a low credit rating (e.g., because they have a county court judgement (CCJ) against them or they are in arrears) or because of their general status which makes it more difficult for them to obtain credit (e.g. because they have a poor employment history, are self-employed, have an irregular income or it is otherwise difficult for them to prove their income). This is not just limited to the content of advertising but could be indicated in some other way, including a name, logo, or website.
• Self-employed |
Comparative indications | Any indication that a loan or other credit is offered on terms that are better than those offered normally (e.g. during a “sale” or special offer period) or by others offering similar loans or credit. This is not just limited to the content of advertising but could be indicated in some other way, including the name, logo or website address. |
| Incentives | This section overlaps with comparative indications above. This is anything that would induce or tempt an individual to apply for the loan or other credit being offered or to do so instead of applying to others offering similar products. The incentive itself could be a gift or a special offer, or a reference to any other benefit or advantage (e.g. a reward points scheme). • 1% off our usual rates • Special rates until 1 October • No fees for applications made before 31 March • Buy now, pay later • Fast decision • Easy finance • Finance available for purchases over £5,000 • Get cash within 24 hours of acceptance • Super fast credit • Same day loans • Quick response • No credit checks • Get cash back on loans over £5,000 • Free gift with application • Each applicant will be entered into our prize draw • Discount insurance when you also take out a loan • Impartial, friendly service |
| Security | Not applicable where the business is a lender authorised by the FCA to enter into regulated mortgage contracts or is a credit broker/business that arranges finance that has confirmed it only arranges finance with lenders that are FCA authorised (see the business's CFSA Customer Declaration to Yell for confirmation of this). |
| Mortgages/Loans secured on an individual’s home | Any indication that the loan or other credit offered will, or might be, secured on the business's home or other property. • Homeowner loans • Mortgages • Second mortgages • First time buyers • Charge over your home • Loan secured against your home • Residential mortgages • Re-mortgage your home • Loans up to 110% valuation of your home |
| Equity release | Any indication that the loan or credit being offered is an equity release mortgage. • Equity release • Unlock the value of your home • Release the equity in your house • Lifetime mortgages |
| Other secured lending | Where none of the above sections apply. • Loans secured on property • Secured lending available • Charge over property • Second charge • Second mortgage • Buy-to-let • Mortgages for holiday homes • 123 Mortgage Brokers Ltd • Security required |
Whitelist
This is a list of terms/phrases that, by themselves or together with other items from the Whitelist, will not trigger the inclusion of a typical APR, wealth (security) warning or further information. If an advertisement includes one or more of the following but also contains an item from the Blacklist you must refer it to policy.feedback@yell.com.
| Type of information | Sample terms/phrases that may be used |
| Name of business (including logo) | The business name or logo will not be a trigger unless the name itself (or a logo) indicates that credit is either secured credit, available to those whose access to credit is usually restricted or offered on terms which may be better than those offered by others –see the non-status and comparative indications sections of the Blacklist above. For example, if the name of the business is a person’s name, or which includes a factual description of the business, this will not be a trigger. • Joe Bloggs & Co ✓ • ABC Finance✓ • XYZ Brokers✓ • Best Loans Ever Ltd X • Credit Repair Financing Ltd X |
| Business contact details | If the business's address, website or email address are to appear in the advertisement, these will not be triggers unless any of them indicate that credit is either secured credit, available to those whose access to credit is usually restricted or may be offered on terms which are better than those offered by others – see the non status and comparative indications sections of the Blacklist above. • Jbloggs@jbloggs.com ✓ • ABC House, Anywhereshire, E89 2XY ✓ • www.bestloansever.com X • Credit Repair House, Elsewhereshire, E89 2AB X |
| Description of products/services offered | A description of the type of credit or products/services offered will not be a trigger unless the type of credit or the way in which it is being advertised, is otherwise caught by the Blacklist (e.g. an advertisement for secured loans, one that indicates the terms of the credit are better than those offered elsewhere or one that is aimed at individuals who would otherwise find their access to credit restricted). In particular, a reference to debt consolidation will not by itself indicate that credit is available to individuals who would otherwise find their access to credit restricted, but if this is accompanied by information which is a non-status indication, the advertisement would be caught by the Blacklist. • We arrange loans✓ • We offer credit – call us about our latest deals ✓ • Overdrafts ✓ • Credit cards✓ • Credit facilities available ✓ • Unsecured loans✓ • Car finance✓ • Finance available, contact us for further details✓ • Need a loan? Contact us for an application ✓ • Credit available, details provided on request ✓ • Debt consolidation loans✓ • Mortgages X • Secured loans X • Consolidate your debts, poor credit history ok X • Credit available, all circumstances considered X • Refused credit in the past? Call us today X • Call us about our latest credit deals, we cannot be beaten on rates X • We arrange finance – free gift with each application accepted X |
| Amount of credit available | The amount, or range, of credit available will not be a trigger unless also accompanied by information or presented in such a way that is caught by one or more sections of the Blacklist. • Loans from £50 to £100,000 available ✓ • We arrange personal loans up to £20,000 ✓ • Free gift with loans over £2,000 X • Finance available on purchases over £3,000 X • Loans up to £50,000 available – no loan too small X |
| General terms and conditions to obtaining credit | A statement of any terms that need to be satisfied before a loan or other credit is provided will not be a trigger unless the type of credit falls within the Blacklist (e.g., a mortgage) or it is also a non-status indication – see the relevant sections of the Blacklist. • Credit subject to status ✓ • Guarantees and indemnities may be required ✓ • Unsecured loans of up to £10,000, terms and conditions apply✓ • Debt consolidation loans, terms and conditions apply ✓ • We arrange mortgages, subject to status X • Personal loans, poor credit history ok– conditions apply X |
| Requirement for an advance payment | The requirement for an advance payment or deposit will not be a trigger unless it (or the fact there is not one) is presented as an incentive or as a condition of the credit which is more favourable than that offered either usually by the business itself or by someone else–see the relevant sections of the Blacklist. • Finance available, minimum deposit required ✓ • Low deposit X • No advance payment required X |
| Requirement for a deposit on account | The requirement to place an amount on deposit in an account (with any person or entity) will not be a trigger unless it is presented as an incentive or as a condition of the credit which may be better than the terms of credit offered, either usually by the business itself or by someone else – see the relevant sections of the Blacklist. • Overdrafts – initial minimum deposit required ✓ • Overdrafts – low initial deposit required X |