DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 5)

thenightporter · 8 February 2009 at 12:18PM

Tinkerbell congratulations!

Well all our creditors have cashed their £1 token now, with the exception of my wife's NatWest loan account.

COOP are still calling pretty constantly - I'm not sure whether to send them a 'communication only in writing letter' at this point (we have the ringer turned off). They also sent a new statement with a late charge applied to the account (which we'll keep a record of - maybe claim back at some point?) but nothing else.

MBNA (our biggest single creditor - about 20k) sent us a new terms and conditions leaflet saying that they can now apply 'whatever charges they deam resonable' & increasing our APR to close to 40% :eek: I've heard that they often sell the debt on quite quickly in which cae the onterest & charges stop, is that the case?

Nothing from anyone else yet.

I'm still waiting for my new contract, until I get that we can't start the DMP, so there'll be at least one (if not two) more months of token payements, which is frustrating. We've still got child benefit to sort out wrt the new bank account but apart from that are pretty well organsied.

I had car insurance with Post Office Insurance but they refused to switch our DD to the basic account (everyone else - BT, plusnet, direct line, talktalk, British Gas, IF etc have had no problems with it) without a letter from the bank manager so we've told thm to stick it & will arrange new insurance. Morons.

curlyfairy · 8 February 2009 at 1:10PM

Hi,
Firstly i wanted to say what an amazing bunch of people you guys are. My husband and i are about to start a DMP with CCCS and we are petrified having never missed a payment in our lives this is all so scary, but needs must!!

I just wondered if anyone knew how to change our direct debits for child benfit and childrens tax credit as we have had to open a new bank account. I'm not sure who or were to phone.
Many thanks

elsie52 · 8 February 2009 at 1:20PM

Hii Curlyfairy.

Just wanted to say hi and welcome. Can't help you on your questions I am afraid. My kids are in their 30's so its not applicable to me, but good luck on your DMP and debt free journey. Its the best thing you will do. !!

Eriberri · 8 February 2009 at 1:21PM

curlyfairy wrote: »

Hi,
Firstly i wanted to say what an amazing bunch of people you guys are. My husband and i are about to start a DMP with CCCS and we are petrified having never missed a payment in our lives this is all so scary, but needs must!!

I just wondered if anyone knew how to change our direct debits for child benfit and childrens tax credit as we have had to open a new bank account. I'm not sure who or were to phone.
Many thanks

The tax credit helpline is the one to phone for the tax credits - I did mine last month and its gone through. Mind you, I also asked them to change it to weekly payments because I figured that was easier to budget with than 4 weekly (drives me barmy, trying to keep up with when in the month its coming in!), but that's not changed yet. While I was on the phone changing the tax credit one, the fella said he could let child benefit know of the bank detail change as well, so I let him (not sure if it worked though!). Failing that, if you go to the HMRC website, you can change your bank details for child benefit online - I know this works, because I did it before I changed my bank account prior to the DMP!

thenightporter · 8 February 2009 at 1:24PM

curlyfairy

we just called the numbers on the tax credit letter & child benefit letter - quote your claim number & NI number & it was done really quickly.

We've never missed a payment either - but I am so angry with the banks that I feel no guilt at all, they brought this on themselves by doubling their rates - greedy !!!!!!!s.

bowz25 · 8 February 2009 at 1:26PM

hi curlyfairy

good luck to you i have been on dmp for about 20 months now and had never missed a payment before that, it is scary but if you feel it is best option go for it.
lots of good advise on here as well.
child benefits number is 0845 3021444 opening 7 days a week
tax credits 0845 3003900
if you go on hm revenue website if gives all details.
good luck again on your dmp journey
bye for now

dlb · 8 February 2009 at 1:59PM

As someone else said phone child benifit and they inform working tax too, thats what they did when i first changed over and it all worked fine and no payment was missed went straight into new account!

Halifax been on phone AGAIN!! (Cant belive didnt hear anything for 3 yrs now becaue of me changing over to payplan they have been ringing loads!!), told the woman the same as i told bloke last night..only she said he hadnt updated system (what a suprise) and she would do it now and hold all phone calls off until they hear from payplan...lol im not holding my breath so if they ring again before payplan get in totch im going to give them wrong security details lol...it will make me smile lol and make them not very happy pml

msc1977 · 8 February 2009 at 2:31PM

Tigert wrote: »

Egg made a lot of noise with me - I was getting letters approx every 3 days right up until one where they said they would pass it to their solicitors for legal action. Then about a week later (at exactly 4 months since I missed my first payment and 3 payments from Payplan) they agreed to my reduced payments. Haven't heard from them in 10 months now!

I think they like to push as much as possible to get payment then finally realise what they're getting and give up!

Hi - thanks for this, i dont suppose you remember if they sent you a copy of your loan agreement do you? it just bothers me slightly that they sent this without me requesting it.

Thanks

fermi · 8 February 2009 at 2:57PM

msc1977 wrote: »

it just bothers me slightly that they sent this without me requesting it.

Probably either incompetence from Egg (wouldn't be surprising :rolleyes:) or they are trying to muddy the water should you consider doing your own CCA request on the account.

MurrayMint · 8 February 2009 at 3:28PM

Hi All

Firstly... :T:T:T:T:T:TCONGRATULATIONS TINKERBELL! :T:T:T:T:T

Just to jump on this bandwagon... Help, my head has been thrown into chaos, as due to a few personal events, I'm now thinking should I or shouldn't I try for baby #2???? We have a 4 1/2 year old DD and had planned to not have any more. Instead we were going to concentrate on the DMP and trying to clear our unsecured debt in 5 years. This was only going to be possible by using the money that is currently her childcare costs to top up our DMP payment. However, now I'm wobbling and where previously I thought I'd be ok, now I wondering whether I should go for it, as if ever I were to have another baby that would have a childhood sibling relationship with my DD, then now seems my last window of opportunity. I'm also worrying about work and my career, but then again, my rights are protected by law and infact if I were to be made redundant (due to economy circumstances) then I would be more protected if I were on Mat. Leave. It would mean that I was paying childcare for another 5 years... And I would only get basic Mat. Leave pay. Oh dear... really confused!

ANY ADVISE GRATEFULLY RECIEVED. I don't just want to hear nice things, please be honest!

Thanks in advance...

DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 5)

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