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Ask a CCCS counsellor a question
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Last week I posted my letter of intent to enter into a DMP with CCCS to all my creditors together with token payments to them all. Today I have received a statement from barclaycard that clearly shows the token payment being received (meaning they must also be aware of my impending DMP). The statement advises of a late payment and a £12 charge for this late payment. It also says if I am unable to make the minimum payment I must contact them immediately ( I thought I had already told them this when I sent the DMP cover letter).
My question is should I contact them or wait for the DMP to start ?
Regards
Chunkey0 -
Stuckinarut wrote: »I set up a DMP 2 months ago, and have now set up all my bills onto Direct Debit to keep me in control.
After I transfered money to cover my bills and spent £70 on shopping for a month and £40 on petrol I was left with £50 to live on, and this was to include petrol for another 3 weeks and any bread/milk and to generally have some sort of life.
Am I able to just phone CCCS and get a review done or do I need to arrange a suitable time, as its coming up to that time where I will need to think about my next payment.
Hi there.
Yes you can ring for a review whenever you like. We will do them every 12 months as standard, but if things have changed or you are struggling you just need to call up and book one in.
Hope this helps
Matthew.I 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.0 -
monkeyintrouble wrote: »Hi, I set up a DMP with CCCS recently, made my first payment which is due out to the creditors next week. Two months prior to this I made token payments to all my creditors after informing them I was struggling with my finances.
All the creditors are well aware of my current position as I have written to all of them, and I assume CCCS have too. Problem is, I am still getting statements asking for me to pay up arrears, lots of pnone calls, although these seem to be dying down a bit now. I am getting worried as far as the constant letters and demands for money are concerned. Do I keep writing back and telling them I am on a DMP as already informed, do I ring them or do I just ignore them? Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi there.
All you need to do is file the letters away, there is no need to contact them or respond to them. You tend to find the letters do die down after the first couple of months of the DMP. Once they realise your payment from the DMP is a set amount based on what you can afford they tend not to hassle you as much.
Regards,
Matthew.I 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.0 -
Six years into our DMP Capital ONe are going to default us. I was going to CCA them but my query is do I have to put the sentence saying no further payments will be made meantime while the debt is in dispute. I don't want to not pay them and am wondering whether to go ahead and do this to try and avoid the default or not. Any advice welcome.0
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Hello all,
Im wondering if anyone could help me out with these questions for this piece of uni work I am doing.
I understand that CCCS and Payplan are charity companies, so do they actually give IVA's and DMPs to potential customers, or do they advise the best solution which possibly means recommending a company that charges for these services of IVA's and DMPs?
Also does anyone know what the demographics are for people taking out DMPS and IVA's? (I know this is possibly a sensitive question so sending me a private message would be cool)?
Finally how do companies actually become IVA/DM companies? Does anyone know the procedure?
Thanks0 -
bensmith007 wrote: »Hello,
Firstly thanks for the work you have done for everyone here, and hopefully now me!
Debt details:
Barclaycard £3800 or so, agreed repayments of £50 per month, all seems fine.
Barclays Current Account Overdraft £1818.60 (limit was £1600), can't agree repayments.
So, today I got a letter from Barclays saying my account faciliteis have been withdrawn and to return debit card/cheque book. I thought I had told them on the phone that I would pay £50 per month like my credit card, but they told me today that never happened- perhaps I confused this with my credit card. Anyway, I said today that I would pay the £50 per month.
However, this was refused. I was made a very kind offer of turning the OD into a loan, upping my payments just a tiny bit to £63 per month, paying that for 48 months, for a total repayable of £3024. They seemed somewhat surprised that I didn't go for it! The upshot of the phone call was I said I'd pay the £50 and that was it, they said the Collections and Recoveries department would hunt me down.
Ok, the income details.
Mine is a slightly different position in that I am Managing Director of my limited company. Unfortunately the company is in severe financial difficulty. In order to help the company I stopped paying myself a wage in May this year until this month when I paid myself £150- £50 for Barclaycard, £50 for current account and £50 for me (I'm so greedy, I know). I have no other debts or payments to make as I live at the business premises (a pub) and it pays my mobile phone bills. Due to being the MD of my company, the Citizens Advice Bureau won't help me.
The other thing I have done is tried to reclaim bank charges- just before the test case hold was put on it! Subsequently I applied under financial hardship, and the 40 days reply time is up any day now, but of course this makes no difference to anyone I speak to at Barclays, i.e. they don't seem prepared to wait a few days to see if they will repay me more than the debt is anyway.....
I have borrowed money from my family to help the business and am unwilling to borrow more as the company can't pay back the initial monies.
So, is there something I can do to appease the mighty imperial Barclays eagle? Or have I no leg to stand on and they can turn the screws at leisure?
Thanks for any advice, and keep up the good work!
Ben
Hi Ben,
Thank you for your message and kind words.
You are more than welcome to come for an appointment with ourselves, we can help you put a budget together. The only thing that might be a problem is that you have no income, we would generally need something to work with.
You may want to talk to business debtline. They are also an independent charity that deals with businesses. They will help you put together a business budget and from that you will be able to see if the business is a viable option and if you can take any wages to support your personal budget.
If you do decide to call business debline their number is 0800 197 6026. It would be better to have an appointment with them first then have an appointment with the CCCS as what happens with the business will have an impact on your own budget.
Let me know how you get on.
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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I am already a CCCS customer and have been on my DMP for almost a year. I have obviously been budgeting hard and carefully watching my money. There has been alot of press recently surrounding claiming back credit card charges and I was wondering how feasible you thought this would be for me?
I have gone through the process previously with my bank, when this first became available, so I fully understand the process. I have 12 credit cards registered with you, I know there would be alot of money to claim back. Having said this, I would not want any of the companies to change their lower payment plans with me.
I would appreciate some advice on this issue.
Thank you,
When you are on a DMP, you still can claim back bank charges, credit card charges and mis sold PPI – this money is better in your pocket than in the banks!
If you are successful with your claim give our client support department a call and we would be able to discuss what to pay off ie if you had enough, you could look at full and final settlements etcI 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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Hi,
Not really sure how to frame this question but I will explain a little of my situation.
I would very much like to know what my rights are and what I can do about this.
I am in the process of being divorced. I met someone last april and whilst working between the UK and Ireland spent quite a bit of time at her house. Staying approximately 2/3 nights per week. In May we split up for a few weeks or so, back together June and back to staying in a similar pattern again. Split up once more about half way through July untill the end of August. Since then I have been more or less permanently there.
Although whilst there at the start I offered to pay towards the bills (several times), this was refused. When back in August I offered again and was refused up untill about 3/4 weeks after I started living there. I was told that half of the bills would be 350 a month which I agreed to pay. from then I paid 350 and managed to lose my contract which put me out of work and with no money apart from my final wage.
From that I paid 450 as she had decided that the bills were more with two of us being there. I agreed to this. This period was approx 3 months.
We have just split up again but this time all of my own stuff is left in the house and she wont let me get it. She is now saying that I owe her everything that she has spent on her credit card £2000 since I was around in April.
I don't believe that this is fair in any way as allthough I have not paid all of what the 'rent' would be, I have paid for various bits of shopping etc and tried to help out in that way.
She wants me to put this in writing or I cannot collect my things.
What I am really asking is if there is anything I can add to a letter agreeing to this that is basically saying I am agreeing under duress?
I know that this is not strictly a money problem but this is a serious problem to me, if you cant help, any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated.
Thankyou.
Hi Neil,
For this I would recommend that you contact community legal advice to discuss your legal options. I have attached a link to their website for you and their phone number is 0845 345 4345 http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/ .
As far as her credit debts are concerned, as long as they are in her name and not joint debts, she will be fully liable.
Hope you get this sorted.
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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shellfishb5 wrote: »Morning everybody
WARNING
Sorry this is a long post
I have got my DMP up and running with CCCS everything seemed ok, i went to my bank HSBC with whom i have a current account which i am still using at the moment and a joint acct which is on my DMP. So i went to use ATM and the machine chewed up my card i went in the branch and asked why. Eventually we find out that HSBC collections people have arranged a managed loan to cover the overdraft thats on the DMP lady in the branch knew nothing about this, but she did find out that my current acct is still ok to use and they are sending me a new solo card to use. I cant understand why i had not received a letter telling me about this loan and my card being cancelled.
I phoned CCCS and ask if they were aware of this loan arrangement, i have been told on no acct sign any paperwork apparently i have to sign a loan agreement for this loan. its a trick as once you sign loan agreement you are in breech of your DMP arrangement and CCCS would not be able to help me anymore, with the loan you end up paying more money and extra interest on top as well, the man from collections dept was telling me that this is what hsbc policy is, that they give me a loan to cover the debt and then CCCS pay the loan through the DMP so beware i dont know if this common policy or a new trick used by the nasty banks.
i have managed to open a basic acct with natwest so i am going to hsbc today and withdraw all my funds and put in new acct
Update
Have removed all funds from HSBC current account, received new card from HSBC which i need to activate online, i will need to activate card as i might need access to the account if my wages go in wrong account.
I have not heard anything from HSBC regarding the managed loan they have arranged for me.
take care
Andy
Hi Andy,
This does not seem right to me, as far as I am aware HSBC can not set you up on a Managed Loan without you signing agreement.
I would recommend that you try to challenge this and ask for a copy of your agreement.
Sarah
I 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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HarryStottle wrote: »Hi guys,
I have found myself in a difficult position, I suffered from depression some 3 years ago, I went into self destruct mode, lost my job, home partner etc, I spent all that I had and more. I managed to run up around £12,000 in debt on credit cards and overdrafts. I just buried my head in the sand and hoped that it would go away. Suprise suprise- it's still there! 3 years on I have decided to face up to the issue and sort it out. The biggest problems that I am facing are; I am not sure who to pay the money to - originally the debt was to HBOS and Black Horse, now I have finally opened the leters that I have been avoiding to find out that 3 different debt collection agencies are after the same sum - who do I contact/pay?
I also do not have a bank account, I am employed but my wages are paid into an old savings account which means that all of my transactions are in cash, I only have a passport for ID purposes.
I have done a statement of affairs and am aware of the amount I can pay (although I may need more help).
Please let me know what might be the best course of action.
Many thanks,
S
Hello,
Have you tried contacting the original creditors to see if they hold the details of where the debt is? If it has been a while since you have opened your mail, it may have been passed around all three creditors, if this is the case you can also look at which letter is the most recent date.
When you have all the information you can start putting together a financial statement, this will detail you income and expenditure. A financial statement will help you prioritise your spending i.e. making sure your rent, council tax etc gets paid before your creditors. What ever you have left over in your budget after paying your priorities, is what goes to your creditors.
If you need any help completing a financial statement, CCCS do have a free online debt advice facility called Debt Remedy. Once you have completed this Debt Remedy will also give you tailored advice to deal with your situation. If you would like to use Debt Remedy, this link will take you directly to the application. Alternatively you could call for an appointment on 0800 138 1111.
If you want to open another bank account, I have also attached a link to a list of basic bank accounts for you to look over. http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pdfs/bank_accounts.pdf
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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