Frightened to open the mail and answer the door

debtfreewannabe2010

I have a lot of debt to more than one company. I want to be debt-free and carefree but I am on a very low income and I don't know where to start. When I call the debt collecting co., they won't even consider a small monthly repayment, they want the money in a lump sum, or in three or four large payments, that I just cannot afford. Their only advice is that I use a credit card which I couldn't do anyway, as my credit rating is in the gutter.

I built up the debts as a teenager, when in a very bad, emotionally abusive relationship. I'm not quite as weak any more, but I do still feel weak and I am too frightened to open the mail or answer the door. Today there have been two episodes of loud knocking at the front door. I am petrified of it being a bailiff. So far I haven't had any visits, so I've been lucky. I just get lots of calls and letters. I have filled out a template letter offering a token payment and so on. I'll see where that gets me.

In the meantime though, if there is another knock at the door, I don't know what to do. I am 30 years old and a mature student. Any advice or just words of comfort from people in the same position, would be gratefully received! Thank you for all the information on this site - it helps a lot not to feel so alone!

DFW-2010

RAS

Welcome

You have been speaking to the sort of fee-charging debt management compnaies that we recommend people avoid, so i am glad they would not help you.

You need to start by contactong one of the debt charities listed here http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help. If you are frightened, you may find CAP helpful as they will help you open the letters.

Regardign knocks on the door, has anyone left you a bailiffs letter?

If not, these are probably debt collector who have no legal rights at all.

if they are bailiffs, as long as you keep the door shut, you are OK.

Is there a student welfare office at college?

dancingfairy

Hi. A couple of initial thoughts for you
1) are you eligible for a council tax discount - you should get a discount for living alone (at the very least) and possibly qualify for a student exemption if you are a full time student (it depends what course you are on and your council).
2) are you getting all the loans/grants you are entitled to with regards to being a student - ie a mature student grant/loan, student loan, any bursarys for disabilities or the first in your family to go to uni, or you come from x,y,x part of the country or your surname is Smith (o.k not sure about the Smith ones - but apparently there are grants for all sorts of things)
3) uni hardship fund?

RAS I thought the OP was saying they had tried to negotitate with the debt collectors who could not help?
df

barnettsarah

My parnter has got him self into 20k of debt alot of it through Gambling, he was depressed when it came out i was furious put a thread on here and found the answer.........natonal debt line, its free, their great very understanding.
The basics of it don t be scared, do not deal with them on phone in person or email, all written letters you have copies of, do them a very small offer continue to pay even if they take it to court nothing they can do
As for baliffs legally unless council tax or rent involved have as much right as the milkman, do not answer your door to them though as there generally not nice and will try to pressure you, in your letter included the expenditure sheet and state to not contact you other than by letter of they do you can have tem done for harassment, this is what i have been told and doing.
I understand how it feels to sufer abuse, its time to hold your head high and get through it, i wish you all the luck with it all!!

debtfreewannabe2010

Thank you all!

Yeah, it was one of the debt collection agencies that told me to get a credit card to pay off the debt. I haven't been to any debt advisors as yet, but I will.

I don't pay council tax anyway, as it is paid by my landlord. I do receive a student loan and small grant. I haven't been offered any financial help as a mature student. Is there any such thing?

All my debts originated as overdrafts and credit cards that my ex used and never intended to pay back. The people I am being fightened by at the moment are Lowell Financial. I hear a lot of people have troubles with them. So far there have not been any bailiff letters, as far as I am aware. However, I live in a bedsit and share the front door with 3 other people that I do not know. This poses an extra worry, as one of them may answer the door and let the debt collectors/bailiffs in. I don't want them to know about my debt. Also, my landlord is often here, cleaning the communal areas or doing work on the house and he might let them in. I would be so ashamed if he ever found out about my debts.

Which letter should I be sending these debt collectors? I have previously acknowledged the debts, in handwritten letters. I haven't used the templates but I will now. I just don't know which to use. Thanks so much to you all for replying... DFW-2010

myothercarisaferrari

I know how you feel xxx it gets better x

barnettsarah

Phone the national debt line, they are great will send you out the complete pack of everything you need including templates, your debt is nothing to be ashamed of people are more understanding than you think!

bargainbetty

There is a debt-collector letter on here somewhere too, which has a paragraph pointing out that they cannot attend your home under common law without agreement (it lets the postman get to your door etc) but that you formally withdraw any presumed consent for their staff or contractors to visit you at your home without written agreement of an appointment (whihc you will never give.)

Doorstep debt collectors have as many rights as the post man. If they disclose who they are and why they are they to anyone except you then they are also breaching Data Protection legislation and that breaks the laws and regulatory codes of practice.

Seriously, call the Debtline (only the free services, don't pay anyone for anything) and also go to https://www.entitledto.co.uk which should let you know about benefits. Also talk to your college about other financial support.

Also, you mention the debts are quite old..... are there any you have not acknowledged in writing for more than 6 years? If so, they could be statute barred and therefore you would not have to pay them. If you have not already acknowledged the debts in writing, then ask for the original CCA and see if you can find out when you last made a payment... gotta be worth a shot?

Good luck x

debtfreewannabe2010

Thanks everyone SO much!
Can anyone post a link to the letter re. debt collectors?
Also, I need somewhere trustworthy that I can get my full credit history... Any pointers would, again, be gratefully received! Thanks again to everyone that has replied!

sparklymessygirl

Click Here for a link for you to get a copy of your credit report
You can get a free trial or just pay your £2 (I think if you are in financial trouble and in case you forget to cancel the service then keep things simple and just pay your one-off £2). Or you can go through Quidco and get a free trial with Equifax and get £5 cashback - but again I think in your situation it is best to keep things simple.

Sparkly

BigCraigJohn

Firstly chill out, they like to think they have power but they have little, they cant enter your house, if they turn up just raise your middle finger and procede to shut door.
They will use intimidation to pressure you into payment, and like getting into the morals.
As for telling you to get a credit card to pay them, that is nothing short of disgusting.

I'd probably make an appointment and go into Citizens advice with any paperwork you have. They will write letters for you and pretty much handle things.

My brother is currently out of work and has been getting hassled for ages and CAB have been excellent. He has 1 girl looking after him and dealing with his debts and he's a new man. He's gone from being a depressed wreck to someone with confidence to find a new job. He's getting hassled still but just tells them CAB are on his behalf and too keep everything in writing.