Trouble with AIC

peainapod

I got a yellow card in the post from AIC saying to call them right away regarding my debt.
I had a HSBC account 4 years ago and it went over overdrawn (careless student that I was back in those days) and the debt was eventually passed to CDRU. Only 2 years ago (after having my daughter) did I get a grip and try to sort out my debt. After a million letters I sent CDRU a payment plan which they accepted.
I'm a single mother of 1 and 1 on the way, I'm on about £130 a week to feed and clothe my daughter, pay bills, buy nappies and everything that a baby would need and now and then feed myself.
The amount owed was £1047.00 which I managed over the 2 years to get down to £316 but since the recession hit I've really struggled and ended up missing payments. The debt was then passed to AIC.
When I called them he told me I had til the 27th (today) to pay the full amount or I would get a CCJ and get taken to court. (I tried to call today with £250 which was the most I could find but there was no answer so left a message).
Can anyone tell me if there's anyway I can get out of this ? I mean I'm happy to pay it off slowly its my debt after all, any advice ? Many thanks !

MrsTinks

Firstly - you, child and baby come first - tell whoever is chasing you to go whistle for it! Chances of them taking you to court for a CCJ over that amount is extreemly slim but they will threaten and scare you because they KNOW these borderline legal tactics work... Please don't let them!
Do an SOA and tell them you can afford £1 a month and no more. In a letter tell them you revoke the understood permission for them to enter your property (ie knock on your door) and that you will from now on only deal with them in writing.
They CAN NOT HAVE what you haven't got.
Once you've sent that then relax - stress isn't good for the baby!
If you can spare the £250 (I'm guessing you can't with a baby on the way!) then that's fine - offer them a full and final payment for the debt of £100 - that is all you can afford as you are on benefits and so on. Chances are they'll take it but if not then come back here. Explain the £100 is a loan from your mum/dad whatever and is all they can afford to lend you and that if they don't accept this in the next week then the offer will be withdrawn and you will send them £1 a month from now on.
Do make sure they confirm IN WRITING that they accept this as FULL AND FINAL payment - if those words do not appear in writing do not pay them a penny