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Howard Cohen CCJ Help?
nightshy
Posts: 2 Newbie
I have struggled with debt for most of my life, but finally three years ago turned to the CCCS and seemed to be getting my life back on track, and look set to be debt-free in exactly two years.
Unfortunately, I have just been issued with my second CCJ threat in two weeks (for two different debts) by Howard Cohen. I 'happily' accept this is partly my fault - I had failed to notice that I was responsible for keeping my CCCS balances up-to-date and they have not been updated in all the time that I have been with them. As I continued to accrue interest on these accounts (which were GE Capital, then Santander, then CL Finance), CCCS presumed they were paid off when they in fact still had respective balances of £69 and £110. At this point, payments ceased.
Owing to the postal strike and the post office's continued inability to find my flat (I have lived there for 5 years and complain at least 3 times a year about my lack of post), I recently received several letters from Santander and Howard Cohen with a variety of October and November dates. I called Howard Cohen immediately who told me I had to pay £69 + £15 court fee + £50 solicitors fee. After many protestations from me, they agreed to offer me a settlement and took £50 off the balance. I paid it.
Then, two days later I got the £110 demand + £15 + £50 for a different debt. This time, they will only give me a settlement of £160 total. I feel as if I am being penalised for the postal strike and my struggles with Royal Mail (which I have email evidence of them telling me my address doesn't exist). I was going to pay this today, but I am a bit cross that I have been a good debt-free wannabe for three years and now I'm being penalised. Do I have a leg to stand on regarding the postal situation? Had I got this information sooner, I would certainly have just paid the balance in full. Am doubly frustrated as I got made redundant in June and didn't want to undo all of my hard work on the debt front so continued making my repayments despite being on income support.
If anyone thinks I have grounds to fight the additional charges, would be interested to hear. Otherwise will just resign myself to the extra £50 as I was stupid to not fulfil my CCCS requirements of updating balances.
Unfortunately, I have just been issued with my second CCJ threat in two weeks (for two different debts) by Howard Cohen. I 'happily' accept this is partly my fault - I had failed to notice that I was responsible for keeping my CCCS balances up-to-date and they have not been updated in all the time that I have been with them. As I continued to accrue interest on these accounts (which were GE Capital, then Santander, then CL Finance), CCCS presumed they were paid off when they in fact still had respective balances of £69 and £110. At this point, payments ceased.
Owing to the postal strike and the post office's continued inability to find my flat (I have lived there for 5 years and complain at least 3 times a year about my lack of post), I recently received several letters from Santander and Howard Cohen with a variety of October and November dates. I called Howard Cohen immediately who told me I had to pay £69 + £15 court fee + £50 solicitors fee. After many protestations from me, they agreed to offer me a settlement and took £50 off the balance. I paid it.
Then, two days later I got the £110 demand + £15 + £50 for a different debt. This time, they will only give me a settlement of £160 total. I feel as if I am being penalised for the postal strike and my struggles with Royal Mail (which I have email evidence of them telling me my address doesn't exist). I was going to pay this today, but I am a bit cross that I have been a good debt-free wannabe for three years and now I'm being penalised. Do I have a leg to stand on regarding the postal situation? Had I got this information sooner, I would certainly have just paid the balance in full. Am doubly frustrated as I got made redundant in June and didn't want to undo all of my hard work on the debt front so continued making my repayments despite being on income support.
If anyone thinks I have grounds to fight the additional charges, would be interested to hear. Otherwise will just resign myself to the extra £50 as I was stupid to not fulfil my CCCS requirements of updating balances.
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