Stupid girl needs help

tangofingers

Hi all,

Hoping that some experts on here have some advice for me. Store cards came into my life 5 years ago..!

I first got a Topshop and Dorothy Perkins store card (GE Capital) when my (then) boyfriend made me an account holder on his credit card. I was 18, penniless, but at first I didn't do a bad job of paying the amounts back monthly, usually more than the minimum amount.

But as I went through university and things got out of hand- I've racked up about £400 on them each, and the worst thing is that I have moved house about 4 times since then and only told them once or twice about new addresses. The last time I paid anything towards them was about 3 months ago, and even then it was minimal- about £30 towards each store card.

I bought one of these credit reports a couple of months and it did not see anywhere that I was listed as a GE Capital debtor. When I started renting my current property two months ago they did a credit check on me and I even got an 'A'.

Scarily, my friend was left a message on her mobile phone yesterday (I dont think I would ever, ever give out someone else's mobile number as my own), from a debt collection agency wanting to speak to me. I called them back but they couldnt find anything for me; giving my post code (obviously) didnt trace me anywhere. The woman from the company said that they would call again- in the mean time Im just waiting for my friend to get me a reference number that they hopefully would have quoted so I can find out what the status quo is.

I've been through this before though, and I know that theyre going to ask me to stump up the whole amount in a week. There is absolutely no way I can do this and I don't have anyone at all to help me. The best I can hope for is that they let me pay off in installments, although I realise that its probably past this stage as GE Capital have already passed it over to them, whoever they are.

Considering I dont have any letters from them (my fault for ignoring them and moving house etc)- whats the likelihood that they/GE would be leniant on me if I offered to pay back £150 a month?? Im absolutely clueless, and terrible with money, and wonder if just biting the bullet and receiving a CCJ would even be easier...I definintely have to pay this £800 + interest back, don't I?

I would really appreciate some advice! Thanks...
Best wishes,
Kate

poorandindenial

Hi Kate

Before you assume the worst you need to know that this is definitely what they are calling about. DCAs will often just try people with similar names. Don't do anything hasty and ask them to send you everything in writing so that you can see what you are dealing with.

Also before you agree to repayments that you can't afford, they have to accept reasonable offers from you (based on your statement of affairs there is a handy calculator at www.makesenseofcards.com)

Over on the DFW (Debt Free Wannabee) board there is lots of experience of desling with these organisations so you might also want to post there for advice.

In a mo I will provide a link to what is considered to be acceptable behaviour from DCAs. You will find useful advice and template letters for dealing with them on www.nationaldebtline.co.uk too.

ETA: guidelines on the OFT website: http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/legal/cca/debt-collection

darcyvuqua

i have a ccj avoid like the plague i have paid mine and it was only for £100 but the credit world sees this as leprosy so i would get down the cab and try to contact the lender and try to come to a reduced payment scheme

tangofingers

Thanks for your response guys; much appreciated. But when you say that they have to accept reasonable offers from you- do they?

Barneysmom

Could you, while you wait for them to get back to you, just pay some off it in the meantime? It would look better for you if you did?

shaven-monkey

tangofingers wrote: »

Scarily, my friend was left a message on her mobile phone yesterday (I dont think I would ever, ever give out someone else's mobile number as my own), from a debt collection agency wanting to speak to me. I called them back but they couldnt find anything for me; giving my post code (obviously) didnt trace me anywhere. The woman from the company said that they would call again- in the mean time Im just waiting for my friend to get me a reference number that they hopefully would have quoted so I can find out what the status quo is.
Kate

A debt collection agency phoned your friends mobile...
By law they cannot discuss a debt with anyone but the debtor, If they've left a message saying something like "we're trying to collect a debt from SoAndSo" on your friends mobile then you have a stick with which to encourage them to be reasonable.

Also, take store cards, apply scissors repeatedly. Place plastic confetti in the bin. Do not get another store card.

tangofingers

Hey everyone,

not that i imagine anyone cares too much, but i thought i should, out of courtesy for your initial concerns and responses, tell you what happened: turns out it was the find for going through the congestion charge zone. Hired a van and totally didn't realise I'd done it.

Still leaves me with the store card problem though. They've never contacted me, my last payment was 9 months ago!! Should I ring GE Capital, ask what the damage is and pay it off? I'm in the middle of applying for a loan so I could just consolidate with them? I can't ignore it, surely, despite neither of these store card people showing up as lenders on my credit report??

Ta

Lo-Lo

I'm not very good with these things, but I think if you keep ignoring it it'll only get worse. Companies won't forget you owe them money and the interest will keep piling up! Get some payments made now - by doing this at least you'll be back on the books, can check they've got your contact details right and presumably get a statement to see what your position is. But I'd definitely pay what you can immediately.