OR out to get us?

susannah1984

My partner and i were made bankrupt before xmas and the OR is now compiling the evidence to put to the creditors. The OR keeps ringing and asking all these questions about where this money came from and where that money went etc. He isnt a very nice person, and i feel really sick and intimidated when he speaks to me. We gave him 6 months worth of bank statements as asked for but now he is going to ask our bank for older statements. Im so scared that he is going to catch us out with something, although we have nothing to hide. In the last year or so, all the debt we accumalated was to live, paying bills, paying rent, putting food on the table, basically robbing peter to pay paul, yes we had the occasional meal out, but no where fancy. Has anyone got any advice, as i feel worse with the OR than how i did when we had our 40k debt.

susannah1984

I appreciate he has a job to do, but why be a jerk whilst doing it. I panic as he always calls me, not my partner and i get really nervous speaking on the phone and hope i dont say anything which gives him ammo to pin something on us. All of our BR was dealt with by a fantastic man at the CAB, and he has been helping people for over 15 years. He said that our BR would be a straight forward case, but now im having doubts about that. Can i ask for a different OR at Croydon?

Matt1982

I think the best you can do is just honestly answer the questions. I only had my examiner interview last week so yet to experience this.

I believe they only issue BRO/U for extreme circumstances right?

I think most of us on here who have gone BKO will admit to some reckless spending at times but dont think we will be penalised further than the initial BKO right?

susannah1984

We have been completely honest with, explaining that we were young, foolish and idiots and we have nothing to show for our debt. I may be making a mountain out of a mole hill, but im one of these people who constantly worry

confused76

i have read a couple of other instances like this on here. stay strong, it's only for a short period then once they've written their report you hopefully won't need much contact. must be horrible

Snakeeyes21

Im not being funny, but why shouldnt he poke and prod you?
Do you expect them to take you at face value?

susannah1984

no not at all snakeseyes21, but when you become bankrupt you know that you have been stupid and not been clever with money.

Its the OR job to file report etc, not to make you feel worse than you already do.

dojoman

Stay strong and listen to the good folk on here. About the statements I thought it was common practise to ask for 12 months, and if you could not produce them then they would ask the banks for them! As long as you cooperate, and are totally honest you should be fine.

script

Susannah,

I know you would like all this over with as soon as possible.

And it may be that by sheer bad luck you have a "difficult" Examiner.

As you said you have always been honest.

And it may help to be completely honest with your feelings.

Here's something that might work - if you feel that you have an "aggressive", "intimidating" Examiner - just say -

"I am really worried about all this and fully understand that it's a serious matter. But every time you call I am nervous and shaking like a leaf. I have always been and always will be honest with you - but please can I ask that you are a little bit patient with me - so that I can concentrate, collect my thoughts and give you all the correct answers that you need"

(of course you can adjust the words anyway you like - but you get the idea...)

Usually - when someone who is being a little bit "over the top" hears this - they become less "difficult" and hopefully makes everything a bit easier for you.

And do remember that the Insolvency Service does have a code of practise to be professional, fair, efficient, courteous and helpful.

If you genuinely feel that they are not - you can make a complaint.

kew63

Totally agree with Script, if someone is making you feel like this on the phone, then this is a very good tactic.

It is very difficult not too panic when the OR asks so many questions, but they really are just trying to get all the facts in front of them so that when they have to speak to your creditors, they can deal with any questions etc..

Hubbie has been asked loads of questions by OR, many had me running around like a BA fly !! but we were contact before Xmas with possible ED, so it wasnt reallly anything to worry about.

Just keep as calm as you can, if you cant remember something just say you cant, be as honest & truthful as possible and it will be fine. To get a BRO you have to do something amazingly awful, there was a link to the page on the IS website and they are jaw-dropping.

Once the OR has all the info he needs it will go amazingly quiet and before you know it - it will all be over :-)

Matt1982

I just been looking at the BRO on the IS website and some of them are so bad. However I dont know if I am know panicing for no reason. Some people have got a BRO for 'Entering into a preference'. I had to pay my sister back some over the last 6mths (less than £1000)....will this get me an BRO.