Ignored the problem for too long!!!

HelplessUK

Hi all, I'm in desperate need of some advice!!!

Like many people with debts, I buried my head in the sand and hoped it would go away. Which, of course, it will not! I left so many letters unopened, and in fact threw most of them away! I'm not talking about just one bad debt, there are quite a few.

It has now got to the stage where I don't know how much I owe, or who I owe it to!!!

I have decided that it is high time I sorted this mess out, but haven't got a clue how to go about it. Where should I go from here?

poorandindenial

Hi there

I am just about to go to bedbut didn't want to leave you with no responses.

Your tasks for tonight (or tomorrow):

If you can find out the info about what you owe:

1) dig out all of your documents and put together a statement of affairs (use the calculator at www.makesenseofcards.com)
2) as lots of people will be in bed, if you go to the cccs website (they are linked to through this list http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help and use the debt remedy tool it will give you an idea of your options

If you hav no way of finding out what you owe and to who:

Get copies of your credit reference file, you can sign up for free trials through quidco (which will give you cashback for doing this, just remember to cancel them afterwards) of you can do this through a subject access request (there are addresses and a template letter on the information commissioner's website - I'll post a link in a second)

Back in a mo, good luck for sorting this

poorandindenial

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/topic_specific_guides/credit.aspx

link as promised

MargB

I just wanted to say 'well done' for taking the first step.

Its a big step and a scarey step, but its the first step on the journey to become debt free.

As previously poster has said, use the links to help to get all your information together. Once yu can see the size of the isse, then there are lots of people on here that will offer advice as to haow to go about tackling it.

I wish I'd had this sort of site years ago and I might not have as big a debt that I do have. But I'm dealing with it.

Rose_Crow

Just had a thought, if you don't know who you owe to it may be worth doing a free check with Experian. They'll list all your creditors (past and present).

Of course, make sure you go through Quidco as the cashback will earn you £6 (or similar), and remember to canel before the month's free trial is up.

Hope this helps a bit, good luck!

flowerscotland

I just wanted to say well done to you for coming here and posting. I know how hard it is.

The state of affairs is fantasic and it really helped me, when you find out how much you owe can you contact your creditors and come to an agreement

OI have joined the payment a day thread and its helping me make of an effort to make payments to the debts I owe, even if its just a pound, well its a pound I wouldnt have paid beforehand.

And the last thing, keep posting on here ! Everyone is lovely and theres some great advice and encouragement to be had

Good luck

frasersmum123

Someone has already posted it, but I would definately recommend using Credit Expert, there you will get a list of your creditors and thier addresses, plus how much you owe and how far down the line the debts have reached.

Then do a SOA and people here will try and help you free up as much cash as possible to pay off the debts.

Good Luck

Mike84_2

Hi,

Just wanted to say hello from someone who is in the same position as you.

I am about £14k in debt from stupid purchases and have decided to do something about it NOW!

I joined on here yesterday and have already found all the information which people have give me very useful.

I would definitely sort out your SOA and also start a spending diary which I have started today, so you can see where all your money is being spent!

Well done for starting to sort this now.

Mike