Ask a CCCS counsellor a question

CCCS_Sarah

Julesiep wrote: »

Hi
My credit card debt was recently sold to 1st Credit. I have a pro-rata debt management devised by the CCCS. Anyway I sent the CCCS offer of payment paperwork when 1st Credit contacted me. I received a letter today asking me to ring them to discuss the offer and make the necessary administrative arrangements. They concluded the letter by saying "If you do not contact this office we will assume that you no longer wish to make an arrangement to clear this debt." I am considering sending a letter (recorded delivery) asking that we communicate via letters. This is because I have read that they can be very abusive on the phone and having experienced this by another DCA which nearly tipped me over the edge I am reluctant to phone DCAs again. Anyway my problem is I don't know where to set the standing order to or who to address the postal order to so I can't start making the payments! What should I do?

Hopefully your creditors will send you a payment book or there bank details to set up the standing order.

Once you have their bank details you can ask your bank to set up the SO for you, for the same amount every month.

If you want to send them a payment, there should be an address on the letters from the creditors. Send it to those address just make sure you write all your customer references on so they know the payment has come from you.

CCCS_Matthew

hectorcarol wrote: »

Hello Matthew

Many thanks for your reply, I will always forward things recorded now, I should have thought of that as I work for the Post Office.

The Counsellor was very helpful, we do both work and have no equity in our property (most probally, negative now). I suggested cutting down on some of our budget figures but she said not to lower them anymore as we have to live.

So where do we go from here ??? We will pay every amount quoted by yourselves on the dot and any wage increases we will phone you to change
the amounts to creditors and pay what you tell us to.
What do you mean about debts being passed on ???

Many Thanks
XXX

Hi again,

If you want to book a 2nd appointment to discuss things again to see whether a DMP is a possiblity by all means do so. I'd suggest the reason why we couldn't offer it previously was due to the amount of time it would take to repay your debts with (I can't be sure as I don't have access to your budget and notes). If you want to book in another appointment, there will be the appointments number on your paperwork. If you don't have it send me a PM and I'll reply with it.

In the mean time, I'd just continue to pay your creditors what we've suggested based on your budget. The term "passed on debts" simply means when a debt gets sold on to a debt collection agency or a solicitor, which often happens when you can't make your contractual payments. It's explained in much more detail in the paperwork you would have received after your appointment.

Regards,
Matthew.

CCCS_Matthew

theunknownstuntman wrote: »

Hi, have PM'd you guys yesterday afternoon, if someone could get back to me I'd greatly appreciate it.

Hi there, we've caught up with the PM's today so you should have a response!

Matthew.

CCCS_Matthew

jkstoke wrote: »

Hi Folks,

would appreciate some advice. I was going to ring last nigt when I got home from work, however I was offered 4 hours overtime last night at work, which will come in handy......
My current account (with 750 OD facility ) is with the same bank that one of the cards is with, and im just about to start the DMP . One obvious thing is that I need to change banks for my current account. i've not names names as I don't know if this is really on. I don't want an overdraft, but I will need a debit card and to be able to set up direct debits. ive also got £100 in charges coming out the day before I get paid (on the 16th)

Before I look around in detail, any advise? I realise that credit checks will be done when im applying, my record isnt massively horrendous, but im not after any form of overdraft.

Incidentally, my dmp is for approx £20k to 4 credit cards, at around £250 a month, I know its very early days as ive only just started the process, has anyone any experiance on whether the cc's will accept the plan. I dont want to be rich, or pretend what I owe will 'go away', after all I have spent (most of.) the money, though the doubling of interest rates is really what has pushed me into this situation.
All I want is to regain control of my life


Would appreciate anyone's input. I am nervous about it all, but short of winning the lottery (I did statistics at college, so I know how unlikely this is to be.......), but I truly beleive this is a sensible way forward

thanks

Hi there,

Setting up a new bank account shouldn't be too much of a problem. If you are requesting a basic bank account, the bank may not even credit check you at all. If you are requesting an account with no credit facilities, you are no threat to them at all which is why everyone is entitled to have a basic account should they wish (regardless of their financial situation).

As far as the DMP is concerned, I couldn't comment on whether the creditors will accept the plan, but based on the figures you've mentioned it suggests the debts will be cleared in a reasonable amount of time which is always a good thing!

Hope this helps, and good luck with the DMP.

Matthew.

TWINKLIE_2

Hi just new tonight

i am on a DMP with Payplan and have been for about 2 years now. i have just moved in with my fiance. He wants to put my name on mortgage and set up a joint account for bills. i pay half mortgage at moment but it is in his name. he has no bad debts. should i even consider this or will this put the house at risk? I had a basic account with Abbey and they recently upgraded it to a debit card (they said there would ne no credit check for this) i dont want to put my partner at risk or the house. Any advice would be appreciated greatly. Thanks

ollie2008uk

Hi there,

I curently live with my OH. Our flat was valued last year at 5k under the mortgage.

The payments on the mortgage have recently come down and it is managable. However my debt isn't.

I'm considering going bankrupt after losing my job. Will the trustee take my home if it is negative equity?

Thanks

CCCS_Matthew

rcpbiggles wrote:

This is my first time posting so I hope I am using it correctly!
I have been looking on the CCCS site and have done an online debt remedy (that's as far as I've got so far).
My husband and I have debts (unsecured) of £20,500 and we have £168 surplus to pay a DMP.
I have a few questions please!
1) Is the surplus likely to be enough to set up a DMP?
2) If at a later date, we came into money to pay off our creditors, could we do so and end the DMP?
3) We have a fixed rate mortgage which will come to an end during the period of the DMP - will we find it difficult to get a competitive rate mortgage when it comes to renewing?
4) We bank with Lloyds - which banks are connected to them please so we know where is safe to open an account.

Obviously we do not want to take credit out again but for reference, what happens to our credit rating/file when on a DMP.

I'm sure a DMP is the way to go for us as life is too stressful at the moment - we have 3 young children and I already work hours around them so getting another job is not an option. I think this is the best way forward for us but I need to reassure myself of any pros/cons.
Thank you in advance

Hi rcpbiggles, welcome to the site!

Have you followed Debt Remedy right to the end to see what options are available to your situation?

In answer to your questions…

1) I really wouldn’t be able to say whether the surplus you have would be enough for a DMP to be the best option for you without knowing all of the information.

2) If a DMP is offered, it’s not a legally binding contract so you could certainly end the DMP if you came into some money.

3) It’s likely that if you went on a DMP your credit file will be affected, so you might struggle to get the most competitive mortgage deals. This does of course depend on what state the market it is at the time your term comes to an end. At the moment lenders are being very cautious with lending so a lot of people are struggling to get deals they could have perhaps got a few years ago, even with a damaged credit file.

4) Although the merger is yet complete I would avoid banking with Halifax if you can, just in case they rebrand their accounts under the same name. Whilst this isn’t the case at the moment, it saves you the hassle should it happen later.

Hope this helps for now, feel free to ask any further questions if you need to!

Matthew.

chancer63

Hi, we will have to start a DMP if I don't get a full time job in the next few weeks. I know I am clutching at straws but I don't want to do it now and then find I didn't need to. My worry is that we need to buy another car, it is essential for work as my husband has been leasing a van that has to go back now his business has closed. The only way we can buy a car is on finance. Not good when we are already struggling already but I don't know what else we can do as no family etc can help. If we o enter a DMP would a car on HP be included? as surely they would just take the car back.
Thanks for any suggestions.

CCCS_Sarah

jaja wrote: »

jaja wrote: »

CCCS_Sarah wrote: »

Try not to panic, it can be sorted. Is this a N30 Judgment for claimant in default? It should have the type of form in the bottom left of the papers.

You will need to complete a form called a N245, there maybe a fee for this depending on you circumstances up to the value of £35. The N245 will give you the opportunity to put forward your income and expenditure and make a new payment offer.

You can collect a copy of the N245 from your local county court or print them from this website http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/HMCSCourtFinder/FormFinder.do .

Once the forms are completed, you will need to take them back to your county court and the payment will then be re assessed.



Thanks Sarah and Matthew.

Only received a reply from local court last week to say the hearing will be held locally this time, and also returned my £35 cheque sayiing we appealed in time.
Today received a new form as I requested from RBS to say they wanted the £68 currently paying sent to a different account to give to my bank. At the same time another letter from RBS informing us they have added £300 per quarter to our debt in interest, so far totalling £600:eek:

(bare in mind we never stopped paying then, and paid the agreed sum as set up by CAB)

So, still waiting for an actual court date, and still very worried about what on earth they will do to us next.

Since all this I have now been made redundant as of last month, so have even less money, my heating broke over new year and my washing machine has just died. Not having a good start.

Jaja

Let us know how you get on with this, if you have any problems feel free to call our helpline.

The number is 0800 138 1111

Sarah

CCCS_Sarah

deadbody wrote: »

hi wendy can you please advise me on a old debt which must be 12 years or more old got a letter from response credit management of outsatnding debt of £4000 say they are acting on behalf of barclaycard you have instructed them to recovery the debt. this letter was sent to my mums address and also my current address do they just go in to the electrol roll and post to all people of that name and also where do i stand with the debt people say as the debt is more then 7 years old it would be wiped off is this correcet many thanks

Hi Deadboy,

Once the six year term has elapsed the creditor will be out of time or “statute barred” from suing for the debt if:

• The creditor has not already obtained a county court judgment (CCJ).

• If you have not made a payment on the debt during the last six years.

• If you have not written to the creditor admitting you owe the debt during the last six years.

You may wish to use this letter to send to the creditor.

Example letter – limitations act

From:
Name:
Address:
Postcode:
Date:
CCCS Client No:
To:
Creditor’s Name:
Account/Agreement No:

Without Prejudice

Dear Sirs
Ref
I do not admit any liability for your claim and will not be making any payment towards it, as it is now more than six-years since any cause of action may have accrued. Any claim would, therefore, appear to be statute barred under section 5 of The Limitations Act 1980 and any court claim will be defended on that basis.
In addition section 2.14 of The Office of Fair Trading Collection guidance states that it is unfair to pursue such claims where, as here, the creditor has made no contact during the relevant limitation period.
If, however, you have substantive evidence that your claim is not statute barred then please supply it to me within 21 days. If you are unable to provide such evidence please confirm that no further action will be taken against me.
Yours faithfully
(Signature)
(Print name)