Urgent help! United Utilities and a CCJ being sought ... I genuinely can't pay

Merlinexcalibur

Here's the pitch. Got a very worrying letter today from a company called Concilia. I assume this is just another DCA, acting on behalf of United Utilities? Basicaly, I have a sole income of £400 from which everything else gets paid, debts, rent, council tax, food (which I have cut back on to the bare minimal without starving or dying from hunger TBH; and I have multiple health problems, so out go any attempts to diet etc) ... exactly like anyone else out there.

I do not avoid debt, but recently things got too much with price increases everywhere from food to utility bills and paying creditors each month to keep them off my back. Previously I got a letter from an Irvin Hosker, threatening me with this and that but I found, searching online, no such company exists yet are making out they are 'solicitors'.

Now, today, I've received a letter from Consilia giving me 10 days to pay the full outstanding amount (less than £150) or they will seek to obtain a county court judgement against me. I am more than petrified over this as I live in a rented house. And I am trying like hell not to allow the estate agents know of my debt troubles otherwise I could very easily find myself nowhere to live. Not really a good idea in today's climate.

I genuinely cannot pay what they are demanding, as I simply don't have it. If I DID pay them then I can't pay my rent this month. So, where would that leave me - homeless!

I am going to write to them instructing them of my hardship difficulties - welll, worse than poverty TBH - and wait until I or someone on my behalf contacts them to offer a repayment proposal.

What else can I do??? Can anyone help me?? I have never been in trouble with a utility company before and have ALWAYS paid on time. Even when I never had it because I had no choice or face further troubles if I didn't.

I am genuinely in a pickle over this, don't know what to do next. I have a debt advisor through the council except I have the devil's own time with the switchboard there who don't seem to understand that it CANNOT wait 7 days for them to get back to me because of the urgeny. So, I would much rather do something rather than wait for things to happen. If only to be sensible as I cannot wait a week to be contacted!

Anyone help?

McKneff

Do you live alone. No one has to survive on £400 a month. You are almost sure to be entitled to benefits. Try typing your details on entitledto.com
At the very least, go to your CAB and talk to them. There are so many benefits that you could be claiming

Merlinexcalibur

Thanks for replying. Well, been surviving on that now for a while now. I only just scrape by. Just. But it will just take one serious crisis to send me out on the streets, with no money. Thing about CAB is our council shut it down because of funding. Yet they can splash out on new art projects, never mind anyone who needs social help.

Tried DLA, was refused. Even though I have more than enough evidence, proof from various people to back up my case. Think it was because I could still use my legs that did it and walk about.

It's the worry over all my debts, dealing with DCAs which I have been doing for a while now with assistance from CCCS, my own researches - or, rather, what CCCS won't tell you you can do for yourself - and my health. Now this. So, looks like I will have my first CCJ. Then all my other creditors will no doubt follow like pigs to the trough. Wonderful. Great. Should I jump in a coffin now and now wait around anymore for things to get worse?

I'm only in this miss because I made the fatal mistake of helping 2 thieving scroungers out with their marriage and debt problems. And they were well off people. But because I am ill, and I a soft touch - but not anymore I might add, fingers burned etc - they just took advantage of that. So, now I have massive debt problems which I am struggling to keep the lid on. Only just. But I don't complain, even though the pair responsible for doing this to me should be sent straight to hell or, at the least, jail for what they've done. Morally and financially. Cat in hell's chance of that ever happening, though.

I have been to get the help that is available freely. And that is very minimal. Not a chance I can pay a solicitor as that would take my whole month's income off me in a flash just for asking for help off one. So, I am very limited in where I can go. And with no CAB in operation locally.

Cardew

A quick perusal of your posts idcates you are something of an expert on DCAs and freely give of advice, so I wonder why you feel anyone on the Utilities forum could give you advice?

It is just another debt problem once it is passed to the DCA.

If you are in such a financial pickle perhaps you should give up the internet?

albyota

hope you manage to sort things out, I'm sure there are good people on this forum that can.

Merlinexcalibur

Thanks I had realized. But I now feel like not wanting to be around anymore. I already tried it last September because I had one one to turn to, no one wanted to help. I ended up in hospital after an overdose. Nice, huh? And it was because of blasted idiots like them! I have never done anything to anyone in my life, except help people and what the hell do I get back. Being treated like crap. The fact I wanted to end my life for the first time should show any decent human being exactly how bad things can get for others.

I don't think I will bother now, asking for help. If this is the attitude I face when trying to get it. I am a decent human being, never committed any crimes. Moment I become ill, I am treated like serial killer!

Merlinexcalibur

And another thing, Cardew - you may have a reputation on this forum but you are sod all to me, nothing; more important things in life than how popular you are, it's how you are to people that counts - I would be REALLY REALLY shocked if you were in a position of advice somewhere. Because if I were them, I'd steer well clear of you. Because you are nothing but a nasty, cheapshot. Well, they do say what goes around comes around. Then we'll see who has the last laugh eg is the 'cleverest'. Which, clearly, you assume you are.

Try living in the real world. You might learn something about being a human being. Nah, imagine that's too much for you to do. Probably beneath you.

Oh, and don't bother coming back with the usual internet troll reposte because I've seen it all before. Sadly.

Cardew

Merlin,

You need to calm down!

I am merely stating that once a debt is passed by any company to a DCA - including Utility Companies - the company do not deal with the debt any more; thats why DCAs exist.

If you care to read other posts of mine you will see that I detest DCAs and their tactics - they deal in misery!

It is not lack of sympathy for anyone who gets in debt - but that it is simply not a Utility problem if the debt is genuine and has been passed to a DCA. Had you asked a question on this forum before the matter had escalated then it might have been possible to offer advice.

Also although it is something you moght not wish to hear, is it not an option to give up the internet if you are in such desparate financial position?

Kavanne

https://www.entitledto.co.uk can help with regards to benefits, there are others apart form DLA. The above calculator takes less than 5 mins to fill in and will tell you what help you can get

McKneff

Like Cardew said, you need to calm down, you'll give yourself an ulcer man.

Anger gets you absolutely nowhere and it gets you so you cant think straight.

Get a cuppa and do what Kavanne has suggested.
And by the way, you can ring up CABs in other areas