Ask a CCCS counsellor a question

smallbore

Hi there,

I have a consignment of possessions which has inadvertantly been in storage for nearly 7 years. I was under the impression it had been destroyed or auctioned as I had not been able to pay for it at the time, but it seems the company had lost track of it (and of me). Storage charges would by now have accrued to 10,000 pounds plus but they accept that this is unrealistic and have asked me to suggest a settlement fee.

What is reasonable to offer?

greyhound22

Hi I have been on a DMP with cccs for approx six months now and whilst some creditors have been fine , stopping charges and interest ect a couple of others namely Lloyds TSB are still applying interest allthough in Lloyds case it is at a reduced rate. Allthough Lloyds have reduced the interest it is still swollowing allmost all of my monthly payment to them so my ballence is not reducing, I understand they have no obligation to stop or reduce interest but realistically where do I go from here as it is very disheartening to see ballances staying static when I am making such a determined effort to clear my debts.

Jimbomac_3

Hi,
I have recently been made redundant as my company went into voluntry liquidation. I cannot afford to pay my credit card and loan which i have with the same bank. I have every intention to be back in work ASAP and i will be recieving a redundancy payment at come point which will help make payments to creditors. Any advice on writting to the bank explaning my situation that i cannot afford to pay my loan/credit card repayments? Can i have a holiday period on re-payents which i have recently set up with my mortgage? Can the bank hold the interest until i am in a position to make payments agian?
Thanks

Ethereal_Gaz

CCCS_Sarah wrote: »

Hello,

No you don’t have to supply this information; as long as you have sent them a copy of your budget you are doing the right thing.

Is your business also struggling with debts? If so you may wish to contact an organisation called Business Debtline … This link will take you to their website http://www.bdl.org.uk/

Sarah

Thanks CCCS_Sarah,
Yes, I do have some business debt and have had a chat with Business Debtline. I've spoke to HMRC and have set up an arrangement with them.

Going back to the budget sheet. I have supplied this, they've requested the info. Should I send a letter declining and basically saying accept my offer or see you in court?? Are there any template letters for this?

Charlie1986

Hi, i'm due to start my dmp on March 1st but have just had to pay out for car repairs, is it possible to put the first payment date back to April?

CCCS_Sue

sammye wrote: »

i have recieved a final notice before removal of goods from jacobs baliffs, i thought i was up to date with my payments but it turns out i missed one, they are demanding £746 before 24 of this month. is there anything i can do about it.

Hi sammye and thank you for your message

Is this a county court or council tax bailiff?

If the bailiff is collecting unpaid council tax it is often difficult to negotiate instalment payments with the bailiff or the local council until the warrant is returned or withdrawn from the bailiff.
However, you could try to negotiate instalment payments with the local council and encourage them to withdraw the warrant from the bailiff.

If the debt is an unpaid county court judgment you can apply to the court to suspend the warrant and vary the instalments you were ordered to pay by the court. You can apply to do this on form N245, available from the court. There is a fee to pay for this which is currently £35. You need to send this form with a copy of your income and expenditure.
If you are on a low income and receiving certain benefits, you can apply to have this fee waived or reduced on a form EX160a.

If you would like further help to put together a budget, you can use our online Debt Remedy.

Debt Remedy would assist you in completing a financial statement and you would be provided with tailored advice on the best way to deal with your situation. Click here to go directly to Debt Remedy.

Regards
Sue

CCCS_Sue

garthomas wrote: »

Hi,

I've got a session booked in for a counsellor this coming Thursday - I’m just wondering what information I need to prepare before hand - if someone could give me a full list that would be great

I know I obviously need to include outstanding balance on debts - but is there anything else?

Thanks

Hi garthomas and thank you for your message

You need details of your income and expenditure and up to date balances for all your non priority debts

Regards
Sue

CCCS_Sue

pixiechick wrote: »

Just wondering if you could give me some advice.
I have total debts of approximately £28,000 and rent my home from a housing association. I work as a supply teacher but have made the mistake of borrowing on my credit cards when work has been slow. I have also deposited credit card cheques in my bank account over the summer holidays, just so that I would have enough to pay my credit cards etc while there was no work available and couldn't afford to pay while claiming JSA.
I have been lucky enough to have long term work from September to Easter, bringing home around £320 per week. My total income for the last tax year (including JSA) is around £14,000. However, from experience last year, I know that there will be very little supply work in the summer term, so I will be claiming JSA from April. I don't want to borrow yet more money so that I can survive the summer. What can I do? I am looking for permanent work but the job situation is dire (don't believe the adverts on tv about teacher recruitment!) I am divorced and my children have flown the nest. I am not behind with any payments (in fact I have a very good credit rating!!) but will be after Easter.

Hi pixiechick and thank you for your message

I would recommend that you call us for an appointment to speak to one of our debt counsellors about your situation.
To book an appointment with one of our trained counsellors you would need to contact our helpline free on 0800 138 1111. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00. It would be helpful that when you call you have details ready regarding your income, expenditure and creditors, as this can help speed up the referral process. If you have this information ready it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor if one is available, otherwise we will arrange a time that is convenient for you to be called back for an appointment.

Alternatively you can visit our online debt advice facility called Debt Remedy. Debt Remedy would assist you in completing a financial statement and you would be provided with tailored advice on the best way to deal with your situation. This link will take you directly to Debt Remedy www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu

Regards,
Sue

CCCS_Sue

bluepanda wrote: »

Hi

I'd be very grateful for any advice. I am living in constant fear that my bank account is going to be frozen. I owe several credit card companies and have no idea what their powers are to seize my bank account. I rush once a month to withdraw my salary as soon as it hits my account.

I was horrified to read that bank account details are included in your credit report, is this true? I couldn't believe it and hope it's false. Also, if your bank account details are included, surely your balance information is not there as well.

Can you tell me if credit card companies pursuing creditors regularly freeze bank accounts please, and if they do, how do they know which bank accounts you hold?

I should add i don't bank with any of the companies i owe money to.

Thanks

Blue

Hi Blue and thank you for your message.

If you are struggling to keep up with the payments to any debts or overdrafts at a bank where you paying money into, then the bank can use it’s ‘Right of Offset’ to take money from your account to pay off the debts you have with them.
If you do not have any debts with your current bank account, then you do not need to worry.

Any other creditors would not be able to freeze your account.

I have attached a link to a booklet called ‘Credit Explained’ which will explain more about your credit file and what information is displayed.
http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/credit_explained_leaflet_2005.pdf

Regards
Sue

pixiechick_2

CCCS_Sue wrote: »

Hi pixiechick and thank you for your message

I would recommend that you call us for an appointment to speak to one of our debt counsellors about your situation.
To book an appointment with one of our trained counsellors you would need to contact our helpline free on 0800 138 1111. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00. It would be helpful that when you call you have details ready regarding your income, expenditure and creditors, as this can help speed up the referral process. If you have this information ready it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor if one is available, otherwise we will arrange a time that is convenient for you to be called back for an appointment.

Alternatively you can visit our online debt advice facility called Debt Remedy. Debt Remedy would assist you in completing a financial statement and you would be provided with tailored advice on the best way to deal with your situation. This link will take you directly to Debt Remedy www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu

Regards,
Sue

Thank you for the reply Sue.
I have completed the online Debt Remedy using my annual income for the tax year 2009-2010 and the advice was that bankruptcy was the best option.
How long does the bankruptcy process take? Am I better starting the ball rolling now whilst I am working and earning or leaving it until after Easter when I will be claiming JSA?
Regards
Pixie