Hi there...really scared Newbie here

NatalieLouise

hello everyone...

as it says in the title I am a newbie on this site and I am just looking for a bit of help/advice/reassurance please!!

Last month I faced up to the fact that I was in debt and needed to do something about it, I couldnt keep up with payments on things and default charges and late charges were racking up so I am now on a debt management plan with Churchwood Financial. When I spoke to them they really seemed to know what they were doing and really wanted to help me, I didnt mind too much that they were charging me a % of the payment as I just felt a million times better that someone was helping me with my problem.

But...I am really worried that one of my creditors isnt going to agree to the plan, Real Personal Finance, I keep getting phone calls from them and messages, I told them I was on a plan and that Churchwood would be dealing with it but the lady I spoke to was quite threatening and told me that they would not entertain this as I only signed for the loan in November and therefore had taken their money fraudulently as I must have known then that I couldnt afford the re-payments, I tried to explain that my circumstances had changed and I was falling behind but all she had to say was that if I didnt pay then they would start legal preceedings. Can they?? Will they?? I spoke to Churchwood who told me not to worry, that they are just using scare tactics and they would deal with it but the calls aren't stopping and I am scared to look at my phone now in case its them!!
All of my other creditors seem to be happy as I havent heard a peep from them.

Should I be worried?? What will happen if I do get taken to court?? I cant afford to pay the balance off (as stated by the "lovely" lady from Real).

Help?????

Thanks
Natalie

debrag

can you get out of your DMP and move to payplan or CCCS who don't charge?

creditors can be a bit iffy at the beginning, adding interest, phone call etc, they soon settle down (hopefully)

Numpty_Monkey

Hi and welcome

the first thing you need to do is get rid of Churchwood, they are leaches and are making money from your debt, you will pay them money for probably 2 to 3 months and not a penny will go to your creditors plus a % of payments after that

You need to call one of these (just click the link)
Non-profit Debt Counsellors' List
I am on a DMP with CCCS and all my payments go to my creditors

Leixlip1

Welcome aboard.
If you do get taken to court you will need to file a defence i.e. your dmp/circumstances etc It is unlikely that the court would order you to pay more than your dmp amount because that is all you can realistically afford.
You would have more money to pay your creditors if you weren't using a fee paying company like Churchwood. CCCS or Payplan would be a better bet and would be free. You can also get free advice from National Debtline.
Good luck.

NatalieLouise

Thanks people.

I have just looked through my t&c with Churchwood as I wasnt sure if I could cancel but I can at anytime. I have also completed a call back request from Payplan so I can discuss it with them.

Step in the right direction I guess

Numpty_Monkey

Well done:T

clareyPINKfairy

although this is not a money problems post, it is to do with Churchwood Finance. If you are thinking of going with them - PLEASE DON'T.

I am not with them myself, but their marketing phonecalls are scandelous!!
i dont know how they got my mobile number, as i never give it out ( only to friends and relatives), but theyve somehow got it and are now giving me 20+ calls a day. at least one every hour from about 8am to 9pm. and i have received a few texts too. i have managed to block the calls from the unwanted numbers but i have a sony erricsson so i only have the option to receive calls from 12 numbers (although no one ever calls - just texts).
i have typed in the numbers (they use more than one - so far ive got a list of 10 numbers they use) to the search engine and got a website called "who calls me?" and their company, or a debt company of some type always comes up.

i really am getting sick of the calls. I have only just registered with TPS - so that will take a month till it becomes illegal to use my number in marketing, and i have tried to complain through ofcom and the information commisioner. i have also sent an email to churchwood finance to tell them to take my number off their list.
Anybody else had harrassing calls like this and know how to get rid of them???