All out of control.........

CautiousPaul1981

After the last 8 years of complete stupidity....I'm going to get out of my 30k of debt.......but I don't even know where to start.

A small background on my history.....I have accumulated 30k of debt, built since I was 18 (9 years ago). This was on credit cards, loans, overdrafts etc....since then I have struggled to pay them back mainly due to a gambling addiction which I am now trying to conquer as well. I have to get my life back on track before it's too late.

I have piles of letters from creditors and debt agencies for outstanding debt, I dont even know where to start....I still have two Bank of Scotland loans from about the year 2000 to pay off(totalling 15k) - this was even before the Halifax merger!!! I haven't even had a letter regarding them for so long, but I KNOW they are outstanding. I also have another 15k of cards, O'ds and a student loan, but I just keep tucking the letters away. Oh and add to this a current Welcome loan of about 5k and Provident loan of 1.5k taken in desperation to pay the addiction and you can see the mess I am in.

I went to the CCCS about 4 years ago, and didn't make the payments and thus they will not help me now. I've went into my stupid ways of gambling and taking more high loans to pay debts....my life is a mess...I live with parents but my whole wage gets squandered...I have no life with this nonsense.

I know I have to conquer the gambling is well, but If I tackle it all head on then it is the best and only way. Family aren't an option to help me, they tried before and it did not work, and I have used them enough, and I don't want to do that anymore.

I will post all the details when I get home tonight of exactly what I owe, and I will record a diary on here, if that helps. I find it so hard to stick to this because I know how long term this is, and I just give up and I guess I hide away from the problem....I realise now thought it won't just go away, and I'm not one of the lucky ones gambling wise....

Please help, ANY advice is well received.

Many thanks
Paul

RAS

CautiousPaul1981 wrote: »

I have piles of letters from creditors and debt agencies for outstanding debt, I dont even know where to start....I still have two Bank of Scotland loans from about the year 2000 to pay off(totalling 15k) - this was even before the Halifax merger!!! I haven't even had a letter regarding them for so long, but I KNOW they are outstanding. Paul

welcome

Just to let you know that you may no longer be legally liable to repay debts from this period.

if you have not paid or made a written acknowledgement of the debt in the last 6 years (5 in Scotland) and there is no CCJ (decree) against the debt, the courts and the OFT consider it unfair for a creditor to pursue you for debt.

And just incase you get some lovely DCa telling you otherwise, it is you writing to them that leads to liability. It does not matter if they write to you.

Janey51

Hello Paul and welcome to MSE where you will get lots of help.
Well done for taking the first step. It is hard but we all have our own problems and got into debt in different ways. Somehow it seems worse at this time of year I think.

You say you have already contacted CCCS in the past. You could still go to Payplan or the CAB who will give you loads of free help.
Have you contacted National Debtline?

Keep coming back...you've done the hardest bit.

CautiousPaul1981

RAS wrote: »

welcome

Just to let you know that you may no longer be legally liable to repay debts from this period.

if you have not paid or made a written acknowledgement of the debt in the last 6 years (5 in Scotland) and there is no CCJ (decree) against the debt, the courts and the OFT consider it unfair for a creditor to pursue you for debt.

And just incase you get some lovely DCa telling you otherwise, it is you writing to them that leads to liability. It does not matter if they write to you.

Thank you...I am not too clear on this...

I did write to DC's about 3-4 years ago advising them of minimum payments for this debt and trying to use the CCCS to help me out. I'd say that it was about 3 years ago that I cocked up with the CCCS...now I have not had a letter regarding these big loans for about a year, and I have not made contact with them. Does this mean I don't have to pay this back??? How does this affect my credit rating(I know its ruined, but if I pay the other stuff back will my rating begin to get back to normal???)

Thank you for your help, and if you can clarify this, I will be much obliged(and it would be a very fortunate start!)

gibboelli

Well done for being brave and taking the firsts steps.

I'd highly recommend going to the National Debtline, they were very helpful to us and they send a nice imformation pack with letter examples to send creditors etc.

Have you tried going to the doctor? They may be able to suggest a free councilling service for your gambling problem. I'd personally recommend putting some blocks on any gambling sites so they will be blocked to you and maybe that extra second it takes to unblock them will be enough time for your resolve to set in again.

Please do keep writing on here, you'll beat all this

CautiousPaul1981

I will contact the National Debtline...I am going to sit tonight and go through ALL my paperwork and try and sort out just where I'm at and exact amounts.

I know about Gamblock for online gambling so Im going to try it, and Im also going to self exclude myself from my local bookmakers(who all know me by name) and the casinos in the city(where I fall into after a beer).

Went to the doctor for depression 3 years ago...thought i'd kicked it...seriously considering going back. However I have came to the conclusion this is 100% MY fault, no-one elses. Ive had enough help from friends, family, and doctors in the past, but I must tackle it head on...I'm posting here to try and keep a record of it, to keep me focused. I make about £1200 a month and I need to start budgeting and living within my means, and living well. Its going to be hard, but this is the start of the rest of my life.

RAS

CautiousPaul1981 wrote: »

I did write to DC's about 3-4 years ago advising them of minimum payments for this debt and trying to use the CCCS to help me out. I

Thank you for your help, and if you can clarify this, I will be much obliged(and it would be a very fortunate start!)

Unfortunately unless you started your letters to them with "I do not acknowledge any debt to your company," when you wrote these letters you renewed your liability for any debt for which you had paid in the previous 6 (5)years. There is always a chance that they do not have the letters on file but.....

If however there was a period of 6 (5) years prior to the letter when you had not paid or acknowledged the debt, the debt reamins statute barred.

CautiousPaul1981

Oh well! Id prepared myself for £30k of debt, and that's what Im going to face. It would have been a nice bit of luck, but that proves to me, I'm going to have to face it and clear it myself. Its going to take 5 years I reckon (unless I get a better job) - so get ready for 1825 posts on here!! Roll on 2013!!!

natsplatnat

Hi Paul!!

Just a quick note to lend you some support!!!

I had my 'lightbulb moment' last night!! I went to the cash point on my way home from work and it said I could have the money for a £25-00 charge. I thought 'this has got to stop!' and went without. I only wanted a tenner!

So, I sat down last night and filled in the Personal Budget Plan that HSBC send me when I recently applied for my back charges back (£2239-00). My total debt is currently standing at £18225.12!! :eek: Ouch!! The surprising thing was that I thought I was quite careful with money and most of it went on repayments etc. Actually I waste more money each month than I realised! So - things are going to change - from today! I am going to start being proactive about my debts and take my head out the sand!

I am going to try and move one of my credit card balances tonight from Egg where they are charging me 17.9%. Could I suggest to get you going you see if there is anything your existing lenders / card companies can do with your interest rates. My other half called A&L the other night and instead of losing his business dropped his interest rate. Not a huge amount, but very little helps!

All the best - keep posting it keeps you motivated and putting things in black and white as always good!!

doodledo_2

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum. You have definately come to the right place for support and I know there are several people on here with a similar history to you. I think there is a Gamblers support thread somewhere on here too so make sure you find that one and join in.

When you get back on try and post your SOA (statement of affairs) there is a link at the top you can follow. The lists all your incomings, outgoings and your debts. Once you have that on here you will be amazed how much advice will come your way.

Keep posting and good luck.

RAS

Hi

If these debts are enforceable then reclaim any charges http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/oft-bank-charges - applies to bank accounts, laons, credit cards and catalogues.

And reclaim any PPI http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance



And get some moral support from our other exgamblers here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1090463