Has anyone used Debtline?

Katieb80

Hi
I was just wondering if anyone has used Debtline for a debt management plan?
I started my plan with them in December and paid my initial payment by debit card and set up a direct debit for the following payments. They then took my direct debit two days early and then used by debit card to take the payment so I got charged by my bank. When I complained they said that I had agreed to for my card to be used like this, which I hadnt. I asked them to remove my card which they refused to do even when I told them it had been lost.
I rang my creditors in february to check that they had been paid as I had not heard anything from debtline and they had been told they would be paid on the 17th and received nothing from them. This has happened again this month and some are now taking me to court.
When I ring debtline they just tell me that the cheques have been sent out but obviously they havent.
Im really worried that I have just fallen for a con and now my situation will be worse!

Thanks

RAS

Hi

These http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help and payplan are the only companies that are recommended for debt advice.

I suspect the company that you are using is keeping several months payments as fees? And then taking 15-20 % of your payment per month.

To do a job that you can ask a debt charity to do for free.

The OFT is closing about 20 companies that have web-sites that look like they are "Official" and mislead people. Can you ring the OFT and ask if this is one of the companies?

rog2

Katieb80 wrote: »

I was just wondering if anyone has used Debtline for a debt management plan?
Im really worried that I have just fallen for a con and now my situation will be worse!

I suspect that there are many people who are using 'Debtline' having mistaken them for 'National Debtline-, which is one of the Debt Counselling Charities that this forum endorses.

There are many private 'Debt Profiteering Companies' who operate under names and initials that are specifically designed to look similar to those of the reputable, charitable and cost-free organisations.

Whilst, of course, there will be some reputable priate debt management companies, the very nature of 'debt' is bound to attract the type of person who sees your debt as an easy way to 'print money' - the number, and voracity, of these organisations is only going to increase as the recession deepens.

My advice is to 'Ditch these vultures immediately' and talk with one of the Debt Counselling Charities that this board reccomends:

• National Debtline - 0808 808 4000 - www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/
• CCCS - 0800 138 1111 - www.cccs.co.uk
• A Debt Adviser at your local CAB

Please do it.

Katieb80

Hi
I think I did get them confused with national debtline as I was very stressed at the time and not really thinking clearly. It may sound naive but I think it was partly because their email address was .org.uk...which tends to be used by charities.
I have contacted the office of fair trading and they do have a consumer credit licence but none of my creditors have heard from them. I spoke to Debtline again to find out how has agreed to the plan and they told me that they sent cheques to everyone on the 20th Feb but none of these have been cashed. When I complained that I had heard nothing from them he said that I wouldnt until the cheques cashed and that most creditors would wait to get a few more payments before they will cash them. Is this the case?

I have managed to get my bank to cancel my card so that they cannot take anymore money and explained my situation to my creditors who have been suprisingly sympathetic!

Thank you for your advice

RAS

I think the creditors will be very happy to find that you are using a proper debt charity that does not fleece you or them.

Have you made a formal complaint to either debtline or the OFT?

rog2

Katieb80 wrote: »

When I complained that I had heard nothing from them he said that I wouldnt until the cheques cashed and that most creditors would wait to get a few more payments before they will cash them. Is this the case?

That, Katie, is absolute rubbish - if anything it is the opposite that will be the case - most creditors, especially debt collection agencies are more than likely to present even post dated cheques early.

Talk to the real National Debtline (0808 808 4000) explain the situation - they have probably heard it many times - and they will know exactly how to deal with 'Debtline'.