Newbie, just phoned CCCS for help.

Charlie1986

Well i've just phoned CCCS as I really cannot manage my debt payments anymore. I have taken a decrease in hours to on average 13 hours per week I have applied for jobs and am waiting to hear back from them, I also have an interview tommorow.
CCCS have advised me to cancel all direct debits with my creditors and offer token payments. Do I do this by post or over the phone? I have an appointment in June.
I really do hope this will be a solution to my debt, I have tried to manage it on my own but I seem to have got so deep there is no way out

Eupho

Charlie1986 wrote: »

Well i've just phoned CCCS as I really cannot manage my debt payments anymore. I have taken a decrease in hours to on average 13 hours per week I have applied for jobs and am waiting to hear back from them, I also have an interview tommorow.
CCCS have advised me to cancel all direct debits with my creditors and offer token payments. Do I do this by post or over the phone? I have an appointment in June.
I really do hope this will be a solution to my debt, I have tried to manage it on my own but I seem to have got so deep there is no way out

Hi Charlie :wave:

Skip to the post office.. and grab yourself the right amount of Postal Orders.. make them out for £1-£2 (for now) .. Take them home.. (or take everything with you and do it there) make them out to the relevant creditors.. and send them off. That'll be your token payment for now.

Don't worry about being 'in too deep' .. MOST of us here are.. and most of us are trying to bail ourselves out.. so you are in the RIGHT place for a start.

have you done a 'Statement of Affairs' for here yet? http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html
You could fill that out.. post it here (it shows you how) .. and let the GREAT people here have a look at what changes you can make. :coffee:

strando

I'm in the same situation as you Charlie and am about to send off my token payments and letters explaining my situation. Problem is, I'm not too sure which addressess are best to send them too, (ie the address on my statements, or the head office, or the collection department address on the late payment letters I've received.) Can anybody recommend which address will usually get it to the right people?

Thanks

Charlie1986

Thank you for replying. I haven't done a SOA yet, just need to type it out, I will do that later today. In the letter I write to my creditors do I just put that I have contacted the CCCS, give my client number, tell them I have cancelled the direct debits, ask them to freeze the charges and interest and then include the token payment?

10past6

You may find the following template letter useful

Dear Sir/Madam

Re:− Account Number xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We are writing to inform you that we are seeking advice and assistance [Enter CCCS / Payplan reference number] regarding our current financial difficulties.

To this end, we would appreciate if you could hold any action on the above account for a period of at least 28 days.

Also, during this period, could you please freeze interest and/or any other charges accruing on the above account.

We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully

strando

Charlie1986 wrote: »

Thank you for replying. I haven't done a SOA yet, just need to type it out, I will do that later today. In the letter I write to my creditors do I just put that I have contacted the CCCS, give my client number, tell them I have cancelled the direct debits, ask them to freeze the charges and interest and then include the token payment?

This is what I've put in mine. The CCCS also said it may be a good idea to also state in the letter that you request all future communications to be in writing only, if you're not comfortable dealing with them on the phone.

Charlie1986

Thank you for the template. I have wrote all of the letters, just need to get the postal orders now and send them off. Do I send them recorded delivery or just normal post?

Nargleblast

Hello Charlie, I would say recorded delivery would be worth doing as the letters would have to be signed for on delivery so the creditors won't be able to say you did not tell them of your difficulties. Prepare yourself for a bit of hassle by phone and by post, as they will want their money. Some companies may be more amenable than others, but CCCS will advise you on how to deal with them. Good luck to you and to Strando - both of you need to look upon this as the first stage of the rest of your lives and not get dragged down by your debt problems. There is always a solution and always a bucketload of support from people on this site who have been in the same or worse situations than you.

Charlie1986

I've sent all the letters by recorded delivery today . I'm a bit scared now as to what will happen. I have a feeling I will have big problems with Lloyds.
Have also been and opened up a basic bank account and will get my dd's transferred when the details come through.

bigbum_2

Easier said than done Charlie, but try not to worry.

You're being pro-active and taking control of the situation. The ball is now in your creditors court and they'll be in touch.

And you can always come on here 24/7 for advice, support and banter to take your mind off things for a bit :T.

We're all in the same boat so try not to worry (hark at me! sat here biting me nails waiting to hear about my work situation :rolleyes: )

take care (((hugs)))

Totally_Skint

Hi Charlie,

Good luck with this. It sounds just like what i did about a month or so ago. I didn't contact CCCS as i have attempted to do everything on my own. I owe about £45k on credit cards and it was starting to get out of control. My hours and wages have been reduced at work and i couldn't keep up the minimum payments.

I therefore stopped all the direct debits and wrote to all the CC companies and told them of my position and could we come to an agreement on freezing the interest and paying a small amount each month for say a 6 month period until things get better. I also told them i wanted to keep everything in writing and not to call me.

Then the phone calls started. RMA (debt collection idiots) Lloyds, Halifax, Barclaycard etc, etc. I have ignored them all. I have the phone unplugged at home all the time now and i have changed my mobile number so i get some peace.

Anyway some denied getting the letters but a few said that i needed to fill out a form to say how much i earned and spent every month. Did this and they have all got back to me saying that i need to pay more and that until this is resolved they are going to carry on adding charges on top of the debt.

The conclusion that i have come to is that the banks drag everything out for ages to add more charges on top of what you already can't pay, so they can get more money and then chase you for a payment no matter how small. Therefore i am going to be contacting CCCS in the next few weeks to enquire about doing an IVA as this is the only way out i can see for myself.

Anyway let us know how you get on. Good Luck.