A Right Royal Mess I've Got Myself Into

angelflower_2 · 13 September 2007 at 1:02PM

Ok so most of you will despair at this post and I dont blame you. The situation I have created is completely my fault and you cant make me feel worse than I do but what i need now is for someone to actually offer some practical advice on how to claw my self out of this situation.

Ok, so have been in my current job for 4 years. However, during 2006 I stole money from my employers (I dont think its relevant to go further into the circumstances). This was easy to cover up as I was the only person who looked after this side of the job. However, in Jan this year, I became a Christian and it changed my whole outlook on life and I realised that I had to admit what I had done and then deal with the outcome. So last week I offered my resignation and explained to my boss what I had done. They have accepted the resignation and asked me not to come back. Luckily they have decided not to press charges. They informed me that I was entitled to a last months pay (to 30/9) but that felt so wrong so i told them i didnt want it and to use it to start paying them back.

So the first point is that I desperately want to get another job. I know that I would not be capable of doing it again but i doubt potential employers would feel the same way and so I am preparing myself for a period of unemployment.

However, I have now read through the boards here and think am quite right in assuming that I will not be entitled to assistance from benefits.

My situation is that in April i bought a property through shared ownership open market scheme. I have a 60% fixed rate repayment mortgage (2 years) with so far no missed payments. (£67000)

I am a single parent.

I have unsecured debt of £15000 with 2 creditors and my employer. I cancelled payments last month knowing that I would need every penny I had to get by whilst i worked things out. Each of the below are 1 payment behind.

1 - personal loan. Black Horse. Really helpful. Taking token payments for the next few months whilst I work out what is happening.

2. Car finance. G E Money. Calling day and night to get money over phone. Will not accept that I am currently not working. Will the car be secured against the loan or can i sell this and free up some money to pay the mortgage?

3. Employers - they are happy to wait till i know what is happening to arrange repayment of debt.

So, questions....

1. What date can i say i finished work if i am not getting another salary?
2. Should i try selling house before it gets into arrears?
3. What about mortgage to rent schemes?
4. Is there any likihood of me being entitled to any benefits (aside from child benefit)?
5. If no charges were brought, am i duty bound to explain the circumstances of my leaving current position (although morally i feel i will have to)?
6. What would happen if new employers need current employer reference?
7. Can i sell car for mortgage payments?

J

Kevicho · 13 September 2007 at 1:11PM

1. The date you resigned is probably the best bet, will you be receiving any redundancy or a final weeks/months wages?
2. With regards the house, you havent had it that long, so maybe youll end up losing out financially, but if your monthly payments are more than your income, without savings, this may be an option to look at.
3. Most that i have read about make little financial sense, (ie they pay you a lot less than the real value and charge a decent sized rent)
4. JSA will require information from your previous employers so if they pass on the stealing then the JSA people may not look favouribly.
You should check out http://www.entitledto.co.uk/ for benefits you could claim and contact the relevant departments from there.
5. This is something you can only answer from a moral perspective, but i doubt any employers would hire you if you explained that in an interview.
6. I would discuss this with your previous employers, bring up the fact that you have admitted and intend to pay the money back.
It is also in their best interests as obviously you will be able to repay back quicker if you are in employment.
7. Selling the car is an option.

I would post an SOA on here, see if we can bring your expenses down, so maybe selling things is not needed.

mrsspendalot · 13 September 2007 at 1:11PM

I have no advice as such but just wanted to say how brave I think you are for being so honest about your circumstances. You would not be duty bound to tell future employers as there have been no charges brought against you, but you would need to explain a bad reference or lack of a reference. Welcome to MSE.

Shineyhappy · 13 September 2007 at 1:12PM

Firstly we aren't here to judge anyone, I doubt there are very many people who have never let themselves down or who have never broken the law.

Ok your last employeer can not legally give you a bad reference, the worst he can do is to refuse to give you a reference.

If you have a look on www.entitledto.co.uk that might help you to work out your benefits. Have you thought about temping/taking a temporary job doing something untrained until you have found a more suitable job?

If the car is yours and you dont need it, then I cant think of a reason you cant sell it and use the money to with as you like.

I think that personally you should say that you didnt get on with your old boss so thats why you left and may not get a reference. You have to reason out how you feel about lying compared to keeping your home. If I were you, there is no way I would mention it. I think that Jesus forgave people and I think in telling your old boss the truth rather than just putting the money back, you have possibly attoned enough- but thats for you to judge.

Feel free to pop up your list of outgoings if you want some suggestions on how to trim your belt for a while!

Lucy1982_2 · 13 September 2007 at 1:12PM

Hi

I just wanted to say well done on being so honest. I'm not sure I can be much help. But have a read of the thread call first time poster and do a copy of you SOA so we can see if there are any cuts you can make.

floss2 · 13 September 2007 at 1:13PM

Firstly, don't feel that we will judge you. That's not what this site is about.

I will answer what I can, and i am sure others will add their help too.

1. Whenever you like - best to keep it in line with your previious employer (see 7)
2. not sure....where would you & your child live?
3. sorry, no idea!
4. Look on www.entitledto.co.uk to check that out. You may be able to claim Income Support but check it out with your local DSS office.
5. Up to you - may be difficult to find a job if you do though
6. All they need to state is to confirm that you worked for them between x dates.
7. Doubt it - think your loan will be secured on the car - check original documents

Hope this helps, and good luck.

angelflower_2 · 13 September 2007 at 2:54PM

thanks

soa - not much point as at the moment the ONLY income i have is £70 every 4 weeks child benefit. This will only go on necessary food and so there is nothing to go anywhere else. I have cancelled sky, telephone, broadband, mobile contracts, (most of these were on contracts still as only moved house in April and started things) Am trying to cancel all PPI on loans but think might have a nightmare here, obviously this will help when it comes to pay back. At the moment I can only think about ensuring there is school dinner money and basic household essentials.

Have been applying for all kinds of jobs. I am not fussy. waiting to hear from 4 applications at the moment and have made application to sign with 2 agencies.

Nothing in documents that I can see that says the car is secured but not sure if I have read everything. Was only 10 payments away from the end of the loan. Do GE money typically ensure cars are secured against finance? Can is only worth about 1600 and there is slightly more outstanding on loan.

climbgirl · 13 September 2007 at 2:57PM

angelflower wrote: »

5. If no charges were brought, am i duty bound to explain the circumstances of my leaving current position (although morally i feel i will have to)?
6. What would happen if new employers need current employer reference?

No, you're not duty bound to tell any new employer why you left and you're damn lucky that you resigned rather than waiting to be charged and fired so that nothing is actually on your record. You may feel morally bound to tell them, but frankly nobody is going to touch you with a barge-pole if you admit to embezzlement in your previous job. Just being honest here.

While I respect your Christian beliefs, I think you'd be mad to reveal this to a potential employer. I know you might feel it's the morally right thing to do, but surely it's also the morally right thing to provide for your child/ren. It's ultimately your decision, but weigh that up in your mind.

As for the previous employer reference, there might be no way of avoiding that I'm afraid. You weren't fired, which will help. A lot of employers these days are refusing to give references, they will just state that you worked for the company for a certain period. Your previous boss may look a little more favourably on the situation because you owned up and resigned yourself. I'm afraid you just won't know what they'll say until they are asked.

I don't know much about benefits, but I believe that if you resigned from a job it makes you ineligible. I'd contact your local centre and find out exactly what you're entitled to.

Skint_Catt · 13 September 2007 at 3:03PM

You have a PM.

C xx

floss2 · 13 September 2007 at 3:04PM

This may not appeal to you, but have you thought about seeing your GP & being signed off sick (due to stress, losing your job, etc etc). You may find your PPI will then kick in, also Sickness benefit from the DSS, which may open the door to everything else.

Have you applied for council tax benefit? Income support (this may give you help with your housing costs too)?

Do you have any financial help from your child's (sorry, can't see if boy or girl) other parent?

You really need to call the DSS to get an appointment to apply for everything possible (council tax benefit is through the Council tho).

tyllwyd · 13 September 2007 at 4:37PM

Is becoming self-employed an option? At least that would avoid the problem of what to tell a new employer. Of course the downside is that building up any business takes time so it is not likely to solve your problems in the short term.

A Right Royal Mess I've Got Myself Into

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