Attempting to become debt free

gazfocus

I have been haunted for a long time with a number of debts and I am desperately trying to get them paid but really need some advice.

I have about 6 main debts and a couple to PayPal (I don't even understand how I can owe PayPal money, but hey). About 6 months ago, I wrote to the debt companies (via recorded delivery) about the 6 main debts giving them my new address and making repayment offers. I heard back from one company accepting the offer and I am now paying regular monthly amounts. However, the other 5 ignored my letters.

Can anyone give me advice about the following:

If the debt companies that I have letters from have passed the accounts back to the clients, what's the best way to approach the client about getting the debt paid?

What is the best way that I can calculate a settlement offer to get the debts cleared?

My total debts are about £3200 and I really want to get these paid asap so that when my fiance and I get married, we can consider buying a house.

Thanks in advance.

JamieT1977

write down your incomings monthly (regardless of how you get paid, whether weekly, monthly, or 4 weekly)
Then write down your outgoings, start with the priorities gas,rent,water etc (the things that if you did not pay would result in a loss of some sort and indeed legal action, this does not include your mentioned debts)

Then list what you spend on the following monthly

Newspapers
Social life
Hobbies
Telephone/Internet
Haircuts
Pets
Food
Etc etc

When you see what you spend monthly in front of your eyes you may be surprised and had not realised that you spent so much in one area.

JamieT1977

Lets say you spend 30p a day on newspapers, that is about £9 a month. This can be reduced by reading the news online (all papers have websites).
Shop around if your shopping is £150 a month in Tesco, then see if Asda is cheaper for the same things.
If haircuts are £6 a time, then buy some clippers and do it for free.
The little cutbacks will help with the bigger picture.

DarkConvict

Get a copy of your 3 'statutory' credit reports (£2 each)

Experian - http://www.experian.co.uk/wiseconsumer/
Equifax - https://www.econsumer.equifax.co.uk/consumer/uk/gb_consumerletter.ehtml
Call Credit - https://www.callcreditcheck.com/sign-up-1 (i think this is the £2 mail order one)

From there you should be able to see who holds your accounts, generally by any defaults they may have placed.

Write to them with an offer of payment, or a settlement. If they aren't chasing you, settlement of 20-30% is a good starting figure.

Offer Payment - http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/debt_advice.php#6 - Pick offer of payment letter
Settlement - http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/debt_advice.php#6 - Pick full and final settlement letter

JamieT1977

sorry misread your question, take the above mentioned advice.

gazfocus

Thanks for the advice so far. Is it worth while following the advice here and seeing if the debts are unenforceable?

DarkConvict

How old are these debts by the way? Has there ever been a 6 years gap where you did not pay or write about them?

JamieT1977

gazfocus wrote: »

Thanks for the advice so far. Is it worth while following the advice here and seeing if the debts are unenforceable?

Would say so, often the case when debts are passed on or even in some cases when still with the original creditor, CCA's can be lost or not passed on.

If requesting a copy of the agreement (CCA) then you need to send £1 with each request. Other posts on here will give you details on time limits etc.

Do not sign your letter, as they have been known to photocopy your signature onto a newly made up agreement. With that in mind send a postal order not a cheque for the same reason (or get someone to write one for you). I have read of one company returning a CCA "signed" by the person who supplied the cheque lol not the debtor all because the company photocopied it without checking lol

hattiefats

Never in doubt is the expert on unenforceability from what I've read so far. Maybe have a read of the thread and pm N-I-D for advice.

gazfocus

Thanks again for all the advice so far.

I have just looked at my credit file and the dates are as follows:

Debt 1: Start - 04/03/2005, Default - 10/2006, End - 05/10/2006, Insight Last Updated - 17/05/2009

Debt 2: Start - 29/08/2002, Default - 10/2006, End - 03/10/2006, Insight Last Updated - 29/05/2007

Debt 3: Start - 24/07/2002, Default - 08/2004, End - 07/08/2004, Insight Last Updated - 13/12/2007

Debt 4: Start - 30/07/2003, Default - 08/2004, End - 07/08/2004, Insight Last Updated - 13/04/2009

Debt 5: Start - 08/07/2002, Default - 07/2005, End - 05/07/2005, Insight Last Updated - 03/06/2009

Debt 6: Start - 16/08/2002, Default - 06/2004, End - 08/06/2004, Insight Last Updated - 21/04/2009

Also, for Debt 5, I seem to have 2 entries - one for Barclaycard and for 'HFO Services' which is the debt collection agency. All details are the same except the 'Insight Last Updated' date for the Barclaycard entry is 04/08/2005 whereas on the HFO Services entry it's 03/06/2009. Is this right or should I contact Equifax to get this corrected?

Thanks again.

g_attrill

PayPal will most likely be where you sold something and the buyer initiated a chargeback or dispute and you either didn't respond, or lost the dispute. PayPal then couldn't recover the monies from you, and sold the debt on.