RUNCORN, England — A recent article citied support by the debt charities of a Conservative campaign labelling those with money problems as 'tossers'. On the web site sort-it.co.uk, individuals who have overspent on items, or have gotten themselves into debt are called 'tossers' and painted in an aloof and unintelligent light. Defenders of the web site say they are attempting to reach out to a younger generation whose attention is hard to grab, but some in the debt assistance industry, such as Steve Rhode, chairman of the financial crisis centre Myvesta UK, see the name calling as insensitive. Mr Rhode said:

"Quite frankly I am stunned by the enormous amount of cultural insensitivity and cold-heartedness taken by the sort-it.co.uk site and those that support it. Money troubles are often the result of underlying emotional and psychological issues that lead people to find themselves in financial trouble. Many others facing financial difficulties have fallen on hard times due to health issues, divorce or job loss. Debt problems are as complex and unique as the people experiencing them, and to label an individual experiencing money problems of any kind as a 'tosser' is just wrong."

Rhode said that while the younger generation could benefit from financial education, the organisations providing education and assistance shouldn't have to resort to schoolyard bullying tactics to get their point across.

"While there certainly needs to be an awareness about financial issues, I can't see how name calling and insulting people is helpful in any fashion. This campaign might grab the attention of younger individuals with its coarse language, but it also teaches them it's acceptable behaviour to belittle individuals in debt. Debt charities and others should be reaching out with care and compassion to assist consumers with money troubles, not supporting efforts that label individuals in debt in a negative manner."