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Ask a CCCS counsellor a question
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Wotsitfingers wrote: »Hi sorry if im posting in the wrong area!!
I just finished talking to CCCS and they went through a DMP with me which is all fine.
I am a little worried as I have only just purchased my new car (£5,500 paid for by a government grant, 2,000 on scrappage) but the other £2,100 was set up on a Toyota Finance agreement. I haven't made the first payment yet (due mid March) can Toyota take my car away as all this is happening so soon after purchasing?
Thanks for your help in advance!! :-)
Hi wotsitfingers and thank you for your message
Can you just clarify whether you had purchased the car when you had your appointment and a DMP was recommended, or did you purchase the car afterwards?
Thanks
SueI am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy0 -
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?
Hi smallbore and thank you for your message
This is a difficult one and ultimately, it is up to you to decide what you can realistically afford to offer and whether the items you have in storage are of any value to you.
I would suggest a low figure to start with and then negotiate from there with the company.
Regards
SueI am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy0 -
greyhound22 wrote: »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.
Hi greyhound22 and thank you for your message.
I can understand how frustrating it can be when you are doing your best to clear your debts, but the creditor keeps on adding charges and interest, but unfortunately, as you rightly say, they are under no obligation to agree to stop them.
At the end of the day, you can only pay them money you can realistically afford, so keep on making the payments regularly and do not feel under pressure to try and offer them more than the amount agreed on your plan.
Usually, when your plan has been up and running for a few months, and you have not fallen behind on payments, the creditors do sometimes reconsider.
You could contact our client support team and let them know your concerns and see if they can send out another letter asking them to reconsider.
Regards
SueI am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy0 -
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
You need to get another basic bank account elsewhere and have your money paid into this account as soon as possible.
This prevents your bank from taking money from your account to repay the debts you have with them. This is called their ‘Right of Offset’
By changing banks, you also put yourself back in charge of your own finances.
Put together a budget showing your income and expenditure and then make an offer of repayment you can realistically afford. You could also send a letter asking them to consider stopping interest and charges until your circumstances improve. (They are not obliged to do this, but you can ask them to consider stopping them.)
If they do not accept your offer, then set up a standing order at your new bank and send the money anyway.
Your priorities are your mortgage,council tax,utility bills and food etc.
You must try and keep up the payments for these.
If you would like some further help with this you can visit 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.
Alternatively if you would prefer to talk to a debt counsellor about your situation, you can book a telephone based appointment by calling our helpline free on 0800 138 1111. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00. If you do decide to call us, please have details ready regarding your income, expenditure and creditors, as this can help speed up the referral process. If you have all of the necessary information ready, it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.
Regards
SueI am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy0 -
Ethereal_Gaz wrote: »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?
Your creditors do not have to accept your offer.
Send the money you are offering anyway, even if they refuse, and do not be pressured into paying more than you can afford.
As long as you have sent a copy of your budget and list of creditors, and you have made your offer, then you have done everything you need to do.
Regards
SueI am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy0 -
Charlie1986 wrote: »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?
Hi Charlie 1986 and thank you for your message.
You need to contact our client support team and let them know. They will advise you further, but it should be ok.
Regards
SueI am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy0 -
Hi CCCS Sue
My partner is on a DMP and I have offered to help him 'settle' his accounts with full and final settlements. The total I can offer is about 65% of his total debt, however, we have already had 3 rejections asking us to increase the offers. Maybe we shouldve started lower so we had room to negotiate?? What now?? Also Barclaycard put on the rejection letter to call by the 26th Feb and 'failure to comply will leave us no alternative than to continue with further action' although they had agreed to the DMP and the payments are going through regular as clockwork - can they take further action because we have offered a lump sum?
Also, what if some settle and other dont - is this classed as preferential treatment of one creditor over another?
Thanks in advance
Kellyanne x0 -
.....Also, sorry to be a pain but the ones who have rejected all ask to call with an increased offer. If I was to increase it slightly, is it best to do it by letter, as then I have a paper trail, or should we call as they have asked. This slightly worries me as we have asked that the accounts be deemed settled on the credit files and agreement over the phone will of course not have the same effect as in writing????
Thanks
Kellyanne x0 -
Hello
I was wondering if you could help me. My husband and I have been on a DMP since October and it is going well, with all but one of our creditors accepting reduced payments. Prior to the DMP we had our bank account with HSBC, we were over our overdraft and being charged £150 a time by them for going over hence one of the reasons we started the DMP. They are still continuing to charge interest and overdraft fees. Today we have received a Final Demand from them stating that they "demand immediate payment of over £3,000" otherwise action will be taken and we may be taken to court.
What do I do? Shall I write to them again explaining the situation if so do you have an example of a letter.
Sorry if I've waffled, in a bit of a panic.
Thanks in advance.LBM August 2009DMP Start 1 October 2009DMP Support Number 341Total Debt at start £31,516DFD Nov 2016 :eek:0 -
pixiechick wrote: »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
Hi Pixie,
Thank you for your message.
Once you have everything you need i.e. forms completed and your fees together it’s just a case of making an appointment at your local county court.
If your situation is changing at Easter, there would be noting wrong with making token payments until then and then seeing what happens with your situation. As if it was to improve it maybe possible to make reduced payments to your creditors. It’s hard to go into specifics as I don’t have access to your budget. If you would like to chat to a counsellor about this, please feel free to contact our Debt Remedy team and they will be happy to run through this with you.
SarahI am a Debt Counsellor that works for the CCCS and have specific permission from Martin, to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on the CCCS and what it does in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article.
CCCS is a registered charity, and there is no charge whatsoever for any of the services we provide to our clients. We take great pride in offering first class help and advice, but we only offer this where we have been able to fully explore and understand your circumstances with you. We want to help you understand these choices and their possible implications but not make them for you.
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