Ask a CCCS counsellor a question

i_am_a_stupid_bloody_moo

Hi I'm a bit of a newbie here so bear with me.....
Over the last few years I have had loans, credit cards and store cards and made regular payments on all of them, then 18 mnths ago i consoladated them all with a loan from my bank and cleared then kept my bank credit card(not one of my best ideas). This was before the credit crunch and being single running a flat now I'm begining to feel I have made a huge mistake by putting all my eggs in one basket!! My situation to date is approx £14k left on £20k loan, £4k on credit card and £600 over draft. Life is getting quite stressful as in the last 12months I have tried really hard to save money by doing the usual switching of utilities , insurance etc and do extra hours at work (which isnt much after tax!), but things are still tight. I dont want to default on the debt but the longer i leave it the sooner i will. I am fortunate (or not) that I do not pay mortgage or rent as the property belongs to my nan. Can someone suggest a solution.

archer85

Hello I really hope someone can advise me

Long story short we have been in disputes with British Gas since October 2008. The complaint eventually was taken up by the Energy Ombudsman who saw a downfall in customer service, incorrect meter readings on there part and BG admitted liability for not reviewing our account as per there billing terms and conditions. We have been awarded 20% off electricity debt and £150 good will gesture.

However...

I have stressed at the very beginning we were in a debt management plan and would not be able to pay the amounts as quickly as British gas wanted. The energy ombudsman stated that BG should maintain a payment arrangement of 24months to pay off the electricity debt, but nothing is stated about the Gas account. There was a note at the side of the final decision saying precise terms of the 24month arrangement is at companies discretion (i'm really not sure what they mean there) I have spoken to someone who rang me up Friday in BG collections department who hadn't a clue and eventually resorted to reading the notes on my account. It doesn't look as if they are maintaing the 24month payment plan.

I need some reassurance or advice really as a year down the line i have had enough of this company. I'm also worried about the debt amounts effecting our DMP and am waiting for a call from some lady who is dealing with my case at BG which i am dreading to be honest.

Northstar68

Hi, please can someone advise me what's the best thing to do in light of the postal strikes.
We are due to start our DMP now on the 1st Dec, me missed the 1st Nov one because of postal delays.
Anyway, I am currently sorting out the paperwork to send back to the CCCS and the letters to creditors which explain about the DMP.
I need to send proof of income including benefits. My working families tax credits have just been amended on the phone last Friday due to my new job. I had anticipated it was going to go down and we estimated such when we had our phone appointment.

My problem is that CCCS need proof, I only have proof of the old payment which is not valid anymore. the new figure will be sent in the next 2 weeks but because of the strikes I am anticipating a delay there. The tax credit office told me I can phone on Wednesday 28th to get the new figure over the phone (they say it could be ready by then) so would it be ok to just write that figure so I can get all the paperwork sent off back to the CCCS and teh creditors? Then I can forward the proof on as soon as it reaches me.

Just a bit concerned about having another delay, our creditors are getting a bit impatient. I know there are many others in the same boat which is comforting. Just wondered what to do for the best. I would feel a whole lot better if I can get everything off in the post again before the next wave of strikes begin.

Thanks ever so much.

CCCS_Amanda

jme wrote: »

Hi, first post though long time lover of the site.

My situation: recent graduate with 4 credit cards totalling just under £6000 and two interest freegraduate overdrafts (yes I know!) totalling just under £4000. Recently come into about £6000. I haven't always been the best with my credit cards, in fact recently far from it, always made the payment eventually but not always on time.

Just secured and about to start a potentially lucrative job. I'm going to pay off the credit cards straight away but I know my credit rating could be poor. Should I spend on my credit cards and from now on pay off the full balance every month. How quickly will this improve my credit rating. Is it worth writing and putting a note on my account 'blaiming' the student life or other such excuse for my bad credit card organisation?

Thanks.

Hi jme,

Thank you for your post.

I have attached a booklet that will give you all the information that you are looking for.

It is difficult to predict what will or will not increase your credit score as each individual lender has their own ‘criteria’ that you must meet for them to see you as a good credit risk.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/credit_explained_leaflet_2005.pdf

I hope that this helps.

Regards,
Amanda

CCCS_Amanda

scoran2511 wrote: »

Looking for some advice on second jobs - I'm a full time BT employee earning approx 44k a year (31 basic 13OT) but we are in a right mess and I'm thinking of taking some warehouse work shifts at night - pays about £7 per hour .
Does anybody know just how much tax i'll end up paying - will it be worthwhile - i'm just looking to generate a little bit extra a month.

Hi scoran2511,

I believe that any income after £34600 is charged at 40%. It is best to check with Inland Revenue though.

Regards,
Amanda

CCCS_Amanda

Rebchappers wrote: »

Hi all, i am hoping you kind folk will be able to answer my question...

I set up a DMP with CCS last month and my first payment should be due in a couple of weeks. It will be for £474 a month.

I have just found out that i am pregnant, due in May 2010. Now obvioulsy, my income is going to be reduced significantly from May, with me only having maternity pay. I am hoping to return to full time work within 12 months.

Will i be able to reduce my monthly payment and still carry on with my DMP? I really want to clear the debt, but will no longer be able to afford the amount i am paying now. It will only be on a temporary basis, until i go back to work. I imagine, i will only be able to afford approx £150 a month after all my other outgoings- but i cant confirm this until i have had confirmation from my employer about the amount of maternity pay i will be getting. Can this be arranged?

Hi rebchappers,

Congratulations!!!

Life is constantly changing and so will your budget. When you start your maternity leave then you will just need to have a chat with our client support department and they will amend your budget. Hopefully there will be enough of a surplus to keep your DMP ticking over until you are back to work.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Amanda

lmclean100

Well, Capital One have phoned me yet again at work. I reminded the wee man that they had had the letter from the beginning of September clearly stating that they should only contact me by letter.

So, that's 8, 9, 19, 20, 26 October they have phoned. The wee man stated that it didn't matter that I'd sent the letter in I still needed to speak to them about an urgent matter. Told him, that no I wasn't going to answer his security questions so he'd just need to write to me. Then he said that was may be but Capital One would continue to phone me.

Any advise? I've posted on the main forum incase anyone has had similar.

CCCS_Amanda

Enough64 wrote: »

My partner & I have an MBNC mastercard, the balance is £7400 and we are trying to clear it but the minimun monthly payment is £200.00 which we are meeting but the debt is not reducing because of the interest. Is there anything we can do without affecting our credit.

Hi Enough64,

There is not a lot that you can do about the rate of interest that your creditor charges you. When you sign a credit agreement the interest and charges are all detailed within this.

If you are not struggling with debt you could consider moving your debt over to a 0% credit card and this will then reduce the debt. Be careful though; make sure you cancel the card that you will no longer be using.

Regards,
Amanda

CCCS_Amanda

i_am_a_stupid_bloody_moo wrote: »

Hi I'm a bit of a newbie here so bear with me.....
Over the last few years I have had loans, credit cards and store cards and made regular payments on all of them, then 18 mnths ago i consoladated them all with a loan from my bank and cleared then kept my bank credit card(not one of my best ideas). This was before the credit crunch and being single running a flat now I'm begining to feel I have made a huge mistake by putting all my eggs in one basket!! My situation to date is approx £14k left on £20k loan, £4k on credit card and £600 over draft. Life is getting quite stressful as in the last 12months I have tried really hard to save money by doing the usual switching of utilities , insurance etc and do extra hours at work (which isnt much after tax!), but things are still tight. I dont want to default on the debt but the longer i leave it the sooner i will. I am fortunate (or not) that I do not pay mortgage or rent as the property belongs to my nan. Can someone suggest a solution.

Hi there,

I would suggest that you either have a chat with a debt counsellor or visit our online debt advice facility called Debt Remedy. This will at least make clear for you what you can afford to pay to your unsecured credit and it will bring to light any problems with your budget. Depending on your budget – you can then start moving forward.

You can contact our helpline on 0800 138 1111, or you can visit Debt Remedy by using this link.

Regards,
Amanda

CCCS_Amanda

archer85 wrote: »

Hello I really hope someone can advise me

Long story short we have been in disputes with British Gas since October 2008. The complaint eventually was taken up by the Energy Ombudsman who saw a downfall in customer service, incorrect meter readings on there part and BG admitted liability for not reviewing our account as per there billing terms and conditions. We have been awarded 20% off electricity debt and £150 good will gesture.

However...

I have stressed at the very beginning we were in a debt management plan and would not be able to pay the amounts as quickly as British gas wanted. The energy ombudsman stated that BG should maintain a payment arrangement of 24months to pay off the electricity debt, but nothing is stated about the Gas account. There was a note at the side of the final decision saying precise terms of the 24month arrangement is at companies discretion (i'm really not sure what they mean there) I have spoken to someone who rang me up Friday in BG collections department who hadn't a clue and eventually resorted to reading the notes on my account. It doesn't look as if they are maintaing the 24month payment plan.

I need some reassurance or advice really as a year down the line i have had enough of this company. I'm also worried about the debt amounts effecting our DMP and am waiting for a call from some lady who is dealing with my case at BG which i am dreading to be honest.

Hi archer85,

I guess the first thing that you need to do is to make an agreement with British Gas. Ideally you will need to keep paying for the energy you are using, and then chipping away at the arrears at a rate that you can afford. If you cannot afford the amount the company is asking you to pay toward arrears, ask for a special arrangement. The company should let you pay off your debt at a rate you can afford, even if this means spreading the arrears over a longer period of time than a year.

Your fuel bill is a priority payment on your budget, if your budget needs to be amended to reflect your payment to British Gas then you can just contact us and we will review your budget.

If you would like to know what you rights are in this then you could contact Consumer Direct at http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/. They will tell you where you stand legaly with this problem.

I hope that this helps.

Regards,
Amanda