Without a paddle... support for anyone starting a DMP in 2010 (part2)

pure_dead_dopey

don't cry, give them a ring and give em hell. They are supposed to try to help you not make things worse. Phone them, be calm, confident and have all your facts. I do know that when we were on the DMP, HBOS expected a phone call every 4 months to keep the "deal" going. You can complain to the FO as they are making your hardship worse, and you'll win and HBOS know it.

just because they behave like this, doesn't mean everyone else will as well, so try not to worry.

its only money and no one will hang you for it, so calmness and take some positive action.

Dopey

candypop

Thanks for your words think I will ring but last time I did to ask them to reduce interest further I got nowhere and even when I wrote they just replied advising I contact someone like the CCCS. I may see what CCCS say or ring if I feel brave enough. Its such a downer when you think its going okay and managing with my budget even tho its a constant struggle I know I made this mess myself but I dont have an extra 1.50 never mind 1k.

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Go Candy. My advice is think Dopey's stood behind you when you make the call

HHx

candypop

Just come of phone to them and had a good cry thought now was the best time to ring as I'm home alone DS is out a one of his club so didnt want him seeing me upset. The lady I spoke to was really nice so spoke to collections dept as because it had been over year they had to send this statement asked if I could pay obviously I wish I could but said no said to continue to pay CCCS amount and next month account would go back to collections and will reinstate original payment amount. Started to cry at end of call because she was really nice about it. Then had a good old cry by myself still am really while typing this will have a cup of tea and pull myself together before collect DS so glad got him couldnt carry on otherwise

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Cry away, we all have a wobbly occasionally. Don't let em grind you down.

OFT here, I'll be adding to it but just so you know where to start.

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/consumer_leaflets/credit/oft1298.pdf


http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/pdfs/guidanceleafletspdf/indebt-web.pdf


Essentially they say they have to deal with CCCS!

HHx

candypop

Thanks its so good to know that you are all here when needed i know i dont come on this forum much will i do in future not just when things go bad. You guys are the only people who know about my DMP havent told family or friends as too ashamed. The funny thing is I have been expecting something like this for weeks with it being a year anniversary. Anyway today has done wonders for my food budget as i cant face eating anything

mikon

candypop wrote: »

Hi so sorry havent posted for ages have still been logging on tho. Now I feel really cheeky about asking for advice Anyway been on DMP since 1 april last year. Just received statement from halifax who now want min payment this month of just over £1k. :eek: They have also removed interest at reduced rate as well so now I am flapping big time. Not sure if it because I have been on DMP for year and they only accepted for that long (didnt hear from them at the beginning to confirm) I wouldnt care but the reduced rate they were giving me only took off £13 a month my debt. Has anyone else experienced this. I've emailed CCCS for advice but now I'm worrying that all the others will do the same. Well I'm off for a quick cry

Hi Candypop

Relax take a deep breath. I encountered this when I first began my DMP with CITI. They were adding interest each month at the rate of £400 per month and requesting min payments of £1200. I wrote to them requesting they stop applying the interest charges they refused. I wrote explaining that they subscribed to the Lending Code and as such they had to assist customers in financial hardship and by applying interest charges like these they were breaching the code. I also quoted

Justice Minister Bridget Prentice who has been working on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and the British Bankers' Association (BBA) and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS). Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said “firms should consider reducing or stopping interest and charges when a customer provides evidences that they are in financial difficulties.”

I also complained to the OFT and asked them to investigate CITIs practices. I also wrote to the Chief Executive of CITI.

As a result of this interest was stopped and CITI agreed to my DMP offer.

Please try and stay calm at a later date you could look at reclaiming the bank charges etc.

Best wishes

Mikon

I also quoted

candypop

Thanks Mikon, even tho they have agreed to reinstate my CCCS payment its still not going to make any dent in what i owe them what with the interest they will still charge. I will take a few days to pull myself together and send a letter as you have suggested. I have always thought not to rock the boat too much as I've been grateful that they have agreed to the DMP in the first place but that's not going to help me in the long run.

mikon

Candypop

You must get a letter off to them ASAP asking them to stop the interest charges. I would also ask CCCS to send them a letter and a copy of your income and expenditure. Get a copy of the lending code and have a look through that.

Regards

Mikon

candypop

Your so right will do it right now