Student that needs help, I'm slightly scared!

cheapstudent

Hello all,

(Sorry for how long this post is, I hope it doesn't put you off).

I saw this website featured on a BBC program, Click Online and I'm enjoying reading what it has to offer. My family don't talk about money too much, so it's not something I'm clued up on, which is probably why I'm getting myself in trouble. I was wondering if anyone could lend some advice?

Basically, I'm a student, I've got myself into around £7000 of debt through various credit cards and being very stupid with my spending (I also can't believe how much credit the banks would give me, even without having a job).

I've got to the point where I can't afford to make repayments, the interest is really starting to kill me and I'm really intimidated by the letters and phone calls I get, nearly every other day for the banks/credit card companies, telling me I've missed a payment, more late fees, different interest rates if I'm over my limit, the list goes on. I'm getting called every day and I've noticed a lot of withheld calls that are silent then hang up (automated system I think).

I'm a full time student and I've injured my legs, so I won't be able to get a normal student job for at least 6 months. I can make websites etc, which is what I'm trying to do, but work is very few and far between and doesn't pay well.

So to the problem at hand. I need to try and reduce all my payments to something more manageable. My credit rating is horrible (I checked with Experian I believe, which cost me £50) and I can't get any more cards/loans etc, so my only real option is to get the banks to help me out.

I've read on this website that the banks are usually nice to you with regards to interest rates etc if you are in credit/pay on time but I have no bargaining power and am at the mercy of the banks.

I've phoned some of them up (Halifax mainly) but they won't help on the phone, instructing me to write a letter. I have done so, twice, both times I got a signature but no reply, while the charges keep on coming.

Can anyone tell me if there is something I can do? I can't go elsewhere as no where else will touch me, and the banks seem to love to ignore me and take my money when they can and I'm feeling more and more anxious as I have literally no money to buy food/clothes and my credit rating will reflect how poor I am for years to come.

Any help or advice is very much appreciated. Thanks for listening as well, it's nice to get all of that out of my system!

Fran

Hi cheapstudent,

If you look in the dark blue box above your post, you'll see "Where to start with problem debts". It leads to Martin's article which is a good start. Also there are agencies that can help you. :rudolf:

keith_lard

Yeap you need to ring CCCS and get some sound advice what to do! :rolleyes:

I have found the worse thing you can do (I did it) was to ingore letters about your debt situation.

Get some help :santa2: (they will help you and are great on the phone!) :xmassmile

Thats all you have to do! :j :j :j


Also if you are on BT get a caller display phone that you can switch the ring OFF! You like all of us need some rest from 'the creditors'! :mad:

Also Regiester with TPS http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

And phone this number 0870 444 3969 its free :: Please note that although registering online is free, this 0870 number is not. Register online if you can. FM :: and will last 1 year :beer:
Its a system called Silent call guard here is some info on it.........

5. Are silent calls covered by TPS?
Yes, if they are direct marketing or sales calls. Alternatively, you may be interested in an additional service called 'Silentcall-Guard' Silentcall-Guard, (which is not part of BT Privacy at Home), is a system run by UK Data IT that may help reduce the number of unwanted silent calls from diallers used by telemarketing companies. Register your telephone number with Silentcall-Guard and it becomes active within 48 hours. Your number is then effectively blocked for twelve months, before being removed from the Silentcall-Guard system. You can then re-register with Silentcall-Guard. You can register by dialling the automated service on 0870 444 3969 or online at www.silentguard.co.uk.

:beer: :beer: :beer:

Your phone calls should get alot quite very soon!

Also write to all creditors asking them not to phone you and contact yourself Via post only!
But once you will get CCCS helping you all will be Good again! :j


Hope this helps you?


Regards

K.

*Sparkle*_3

hey keith,

is there any catch to this silent call guard?

keith_lard

I have yet to see any! But BT says no catch!

http://shop.bt.com/page/btprivacyfaq

digp

Contact CCCS promptly.

Smiley_Mum

keith_lard wrote:

Yeap you need to ring CCCS and get some sound advice what to do! :rolleyes:

I have found the worse thing you can do (I did it) was to ingore letters about your debt situation.

Get some help :santa2: (they will help you and are great on the phone!) :xmassmile

Thats all you have to do! :j :j :j


Also if you are on BT get a caller display phone that you can switch the ring OFF! You like all of us need some rest from 'the creditors'! :mad:

Also Regiester with TPS http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

And phone this number 0870 444 3969 its free and will last 1 year :beer:
Its a system called Silent call guard here is some info on it.........

5. Are silent calls covered by TPS?
Yes, if they are direct marketing or sales calls. Alternatively, you may be interested in an additional service called 'Silentcall-Guard' Silentcall-Guard, (which is not part of BT Privacy at Home), is a system run by UK Data IT that may help reduce the number of unwanted silent calls from diallers used by telemarketing companies. Register your telephone number with Silentcall-Guard and it becomes active within 48 hours. Your number is then effectively blocked for twelve months, before being removed from the Silentcall-Guard system. You can then re-register with Silentcall-Guard. You can register by dialling the automated service on 0870 444 3969 or online at www.silentguard.co.uk.

:beer: :beer: :beer:

Your phone calls should get alot quite very soon!

Also write to all creditors asking them not to phone you and contact yourself Via post only!
But once you will get CCCS helping you all will be Good again! :j


Hope this helps you?


Regards

K.

With regard to the 0870 number that you have to call to register if you are unable to do so online, I take it that it WOULD NOT BE FREE as you state in your post, only if you do so online. Calling to register would not be free, 0870 numbers aren't they premium rate at up to 8p a minute charge. :mad:

*Sparkle*_3

Thanks keith for the link.

Smilely mum- I supose anyone reading this thread would simply click the link to register for free, although its a fair point 0845 numbers aren't free.

keith_lard

Yep! Good to point out that a 0870 number is not an 0800 number! :eek: :eek: :eek:
:eek:
Was unaware of there being a charge for 0870 numbers.

I used the telephone to get my number on, call lasted 1 minute only.

K. :beer:

carly

5. Are silent calls covered by TPS?
Yes, if they are direct marketing or sales calls. Alternatively, you may be interested in an additional service called 'Silentcall-Guard' Silentcall-Guard, (which is not part of BT Privacy at Home), is a system run by UK Data IT that may help reduce the number of unwanted silent calls from diallers used by telemarketing companies. Register your telephone number with Silentcall-Guard and it becomes active within 48 hours. Your number is then effectively blocked for twelve months, before being removed from the Silentcall-Guard system. You can then re-register with Silentcall-Guard. You can register by dialling the automated service on 0870 444 3969 or online at www.silentguard.co.uk.
Thanks for this keith Lard, these silent calls drive me barmy.

ceegee

Why not speak to your welfare department at College/Uni? I'll bet that you wouldn't be the first and you won't be the last. They are totally geared up to help their students. It might also be easier for you. After all, you might feel a bit intimidated at the thought of calling people like CCCS or Payplan if you are a youngster. Go on.......get in touch with student welfare!
:santa2: :rudolf: :xmassmile