Central Debt Recovery / HSBC. Please help!

tellyaddict

Hi,

Although I've trawled the internet, I can't seem to find any answers - I'm hoping someone here can advise me as I'm at the end of my tether

I had a business which I'd had for 10 years but it went badly wrong about 18 months ago when the recession began to bite. To cut a long story short I've racked up to credit card bills which I can't pay off. I'm struggling to keep my head above water and although I make payments to them its erratic.

This has resulted in Capquest looking after one debt - they make me pay £188 per month and if I miss a payment they increase it!

The other debt has been passed to Central Debt Recovery Unit which must be part of HSBC. They have sent me a letter saying someone will call me on Saturday and I don't know if they mean at my house or on the phone!

I haven't earned any income since the last week of December and I'm not entitled to any benefits. My husband is struggling with all of the mortgage and bills on his own.

Do you think I can write to these two companies to ask them to accept a lower payment or will this just result in bailiffs turning up? What do you think is the minimum they might accept. I really don't know what to do.

I'm starting a new job on 1st March and although its not a fantastic wage (and is mainly commission), I won't get paid until the end of March.

Any advice will be greatly recieved, I can't tell you how worried I am about all of this. I don't eat or sleep......just seem to spend all of my time worried.

Thanks in advance.

pepe2008

Sounds like you need the assistance of the professionals.

Talk to CCCS or National Debtline or the CAB, they will be able to help with everything that is worrying you.

pure_dead_dopey

Hi telly

I think it would be a good idea to speak to one of the debt charities, CCCS or Payplan or the CAB. Every situation can be dealt with and you've taken the first step in realising that you've got a situation!! I don't think bailiffs can turn up straight out of the blue but I am sure one of the more knowledgeable people will be along shortly. You have to eat and sleep as you will make yourself ill and that won't help anyone, honestly. So please let one of the debt charities help you, they are very good and there are lots of different types of solutions, you just have to find the right one for you. But it definitely is there. Good luck

pepe2008

Oh, and DONT be tempted by any of the 'wipe out your debts' ads in the papers!

Dont pay for any information or help......its all available for free.

nandj_2

Hi Tellyaddict,
First of all, pay capquest what you can afford and not what they want.
MCS are HSBC, so will be Central Debt Recovery Unit when it moves to the next stage.
If anyone ever comes to your house, refuse to let them in and tell them to go and play on the M6 motorway or any other comments that I cannot write, they have no right on your propertry and no legal powers to collect money, as to them phoning, refuse to answer their security questions and just say "everything in writing" and hang up.
Remember, pay all of your priority debts first, mortgage, any loans secured on your property, council tax, utilities etc.
Debt collection companies are at the bottom of the pile when it comes to getting any money so this is why they bark the loudest and send you loads of scarey looking threatograms through the post.
Have you not CCA'd HSBC to see if the Credit Card agreement is enforceable?
Best Wishes
NandJ

tellyaddict

thank you all for your messages - I have a lump in my throat that people actually offer their help and advice so freely.

I will contact the people you have suggested today to see if they can help.

Whats a CCA?

Thanks again

pepe2008

Its important that you seek advice on the overall situation and that your Husband is fully in the picture.

All Creditors will need to be dealt with fairly ( ie, payments in proportion to the overall debts...CCCS (e.g) will explain this).

Trying to deal with individual Creditors leads to the sort of problems you are having with Crapquest.......they will take every penny and not care about you or the other Creditors.

If you feel that you are not coping with this, contact one of the Debt Charities/Services mentioned in my first post, they will be able to help you and stop the Creditors from constantly hassling you......life gets better.