Newbie...some cccs advice needed please!

markey77

Hi there!

I've lurked on these boards for years now but have decided to register as I could do with some help myself.
My partner and myself have set up a Debt Management Plan with CCCS just last week. They've been a brilliant help and totally taken the weight from our shoulders (my partner and myself have taken out the DMP together). Our monthly debt payments have gone from £600+ to £255, which is much more managable for us.
We've had all the paper work sent to us, it should all be ready to send to CCCs and creditors tomorrow. We noticed that CCCS recommend you send a token payment to creditors if you have a payment due before the DMP is set up (which we think will be october). Does anyone have any idea how much we should be sending them?

Thank you in advance for any advice you may have!!

Deep_In_Debt

Hi
I'm on a DMP with CCCS and they recommended I sent a £1.00 postal order to all the creditors whilst the DMP is being set up.

Good luck, you've done the right thing going with CCCS and posting on here.

Where are my manners - sorry, welcome to the forum.

gtx

hi
like yourself i've read but not contributed - i work for one of the high street banks but that doesn't mean we don't have money worries!
most companies will recognise a £1 payment as a token gesture and realise you are starting some sort of plan. but it helps them and you if you put a note in explaining you going through cccs.- it helps you because it should stop the phone calls and letters. good luck - it can only get better from now on

Ex-Spendaholic

Yes go with the £1 postal orders.

Well done on starting your DMP. I'm on one too. We have a huge support thread on the forum for people on DMPs - do come and join us. :beer:

10past6

Hi Marky :hello:

Welcome to forum, you've taken the first step on the road to recovery, bear in mind, the next few months may well be bumpy with some creditors whilst your DMP is set up, nothing we can't handle, in the meantime, send the following letter below with your token payment to ALL your creditors, remember to keep a copy:

Your Address

Date

Creditors Name & Address
Dear Sir/Madam

Re:− Account/Reference Number XXXXXX

We are writing to inform you that we are seeking advice and assistance regarding our current financial difficulties via B]Enter name of organisation & ref number[/B

To this end, we would appreciate if you could hold any action on the above account for a period of at least 28 days, in the meantime, please find a token payment of £1.00 enclosed whilst our finances are being assessed.

Also, during this period, could you please freeze interest and/or any other charges accruing on the above account.

We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully
ONLY INITIAL – NEVER SIGN

welshpaula

hi markey my BF has just set up a DMP with the CCCS 2 months ago now when sending token payments we sent £10 to each of the 4 creditors (our choice) but most people seem to send a £1 .good luck with the DMP we are in for 9 years at the moment hoping to up the payments when things get a bit easier for us in the future , so get rid of it quicker ! good luck paula x

Deep_In_Debt

CCCS will send a standard letter that you can photocopy and send to all of your creditors with the postal order (you just fill in the blanks on the letter). I have to admit, I rang my creditors to explain my situation and they all were ok with it. I've been on my DMP now since the beginning of the year and yes, I still get hassle from one creditor who doesn't seem to understand that they are not the only creditor. I just ignore them now.

Like welshpaula, I was told it would take 9 years to clear my debts on my dmp but I have already managed to reduce it to 5 years in 9 months. Just takes a bit of determination and some lifestyle changes.

Good luck.

markey77

Thank you all for the lovely welcome and replies!

I'll get the postal orders bought in the morning then, for some reason I never thought to pop them in with the photocopys from cccs. I'm so glad we're finally getting ourselves sorted out after months of just not knowing what to do. It's been hard, especially with 3 kids to think of and all the stuff they need. Cccs told us that our dmp should be paid off in 5 years, so it's not tool long thankfully. I swear to myself never to take out another credit card or catalogue ever again!!!

Thank you all again very much and look forward to posting lots more!

Deep_In_Debt

If you check out and keep posting on this forum - we can help you reduce it from 5 years. As I mentioned, I was told by CCCS it would take me 9 years to clear my dmp and in almost 9 months I'm down now to just over 5 years with no major lifestyle changes. Just changed my shopping habits and got a part time job and just working out how much cash I need to live on each week and leaving my debit card at home and living on what I have in my purse. Anything left over at the end of the week, i put into my change pot which goes towards treats, presents etc or gets carried over to the following week depending on how skint I am!

Good luck with it and do keep us posted.

trulymiserable

Hi was just wondering do you have to put creditors name s on postal orders as i have just started with cccs and need to send some to central recoveries and droyds but not certain who to make them out to and dont want to ring them for obvious reasons

Deep_In_Debt

trulymiserable wrote: »

Hi was just wondering do you have to put creditors name s on postal orders as i have just started with cccs and need to send some to central recoveries and droyds but not certain who to make them out to and dont want to ring them for obvious reasons

Hi - I think I did put the creditors name on the PO but it was a while ago now. I'm sure the Post Office asked me who I wanted it payable to. I think they said it was safer that way than leaving it blank, just like a cheque I guess.