Struggling with debt? Ask a debt advisor a question

iwhite

Hello,
My daughter is being chased for a debt which I believe is not owed
On her 14th Birthday in 2005 she had a kidney operation in association with my work BUPA membership and had a few follow ups for a year or so
She is now being chased for an invoice (£158) by Virtual Lease Services who say that on 6th June 2006 she had an appointment at John Radcliffe Hospital (she would have been 17 at the time)
VLS say that BUPA payed £58 towards the bill and the rest (£100) is outstanding....


I would like to point out the following;

• We were on holiday in Devon the day of the alleged appointment (6th June 2008) However proof may be difficult, it is diarised though
• I have confirmation from BUPA that on 6th June 2008 we were not covered by BUPA insurance as I was not a member of BUPA at this time
• BUPA have confirmed and have no record of any payment of £58 or any invoice for £158 or any other relating to this matter
• She was 17 years old and therefore surely not liable for the debt anyway, she had treatment from 13 years old

I would really appreciate any advice as she is worried as they are threatening legal action however I am 100% that this debt is wrong and probably unenforceable anyway

Many thanks

CCCS_Sue

circus_48 wrote: »

I have a DMP with Payplan for a remaining balance of £39K. My Dad has kindly stated he will help settle those debts ( only if full and final) he can give me £20 K.

I have contacted some of my creditors today, some were quite helpful and accomodating, others were less helpful demanding full payment. Payplan were unwilling to negotiate at all with the sum I have offered, however, I have today managed to negotiate my debts down to £26K as final settlement. many offered to renegotiate when I had a firm idea of the funds I could raise. I could raise, reluctantly from my childrens savings, another £4K.

I need some advice on how to deal with the difficult creditors. If all others accept near 50% payments in full and final settlement, how should I approach the ones who are firm. I need rid of the stress these debts give me as I have not been well, mainly because of the difficult situation I got myself and my family in to. As a result of my medical difficulties, I may well lose my job but I am qualified and 'clever' enough to secure other employment.

I really need rid of these bad debts for my sanity, and your help in what to say further to these creditors would be most appreciated.

Hi circus48 and thank you for your message

I have answered this for you in private messages.
If you need any further help, let us know.

Kind Regards
Sue

CCCS_Sue

melanieowen wrote: »

hi, am currently on a dmp using debt advice line - is it possible for me to cancel this and set up a new one via yourself?

also can i then add some debt that i have accrued ( current dmp only uses partners debt?)

thanks

Hi melanieowen and thanks for your message

We don’t have the facility to be able to simply transfer your Debt Management Plan from your existing provider as you would need to have an appointment with one of our debt counsellors first. If the counsellor is happy to offer a DMP as a result of your appointment, we would then discuss with you how to end the current arrangement you have and setting it up with ourselves. CCCS does not charge for setting up or administering a Debt Management Plan.

If you would like us to take a look at your situation to see what options you have, you would need to book a telephone based appointment with one of our trained debt counsellors by calling our helpline on 0800 138 1111. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00.


Alternatively, you can use our online electronic facility called Debt Remedy. Debt Remedy will assist you in completing a financial statement which includes information on your household, employment, income, expenditure and debts. All this information is used as a basis to determine the options available to you to deal with your situation.

Once you’ve followed the process through and completed all the required information you will immediately be presented with an advice booklet, which will provide tailored advice for you based on your current circumstances. It will also provide advice on ways you may be able to improve your situation. If you would like to get immediate advice on your situation this link will take you directly to Debt Remedy http://www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu

Hope this helps,
Sue

StepChange_Pavan

betsyboo44 wrote: »

Hi, We have been on a DMP with payplan for 18 months now and are getting constant letters from Lloyds TSB regarding debts owed to them, today my Husband has received a letter from Apex Credit Management regarding his Lloyds Tsb account basically saying "we utilise external data sources to profile our accounts carefully and believe that you have the ability to make payments on this debt".
I dont know where they get their information from but we honestly can only afford what we are paying to Payplan. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi betsyboo44 and thank you for your post.

It’s likely that they’re using this as a collection tactic to try and get more money from you

You can’t pay them money that you haven’t got so I’d recommend that you stick to your agreement through Payplan, but you should give them a call if you are struggling with your repayments.

They will be able to revise your budget and also write to Lloyds with your updated situation.

Kind regards,
Pavan

CCCS_Sue

zo-po wrote: »

new year, new life. in need of some support
ok i have just got to face up to this and quickly. my partner has just left me and i have had to take a lower paid job due to redundancy. i have to sort out my spending. i have kept up with all payment so far nearly(just missed this months egg payment). but i haven't been living. staying in all the time my day out was doing the weekly food shopping! i've only had my hair cut twice last year and my bother and dad paid for that. my car has never been serviced ect so.... here goes! i have done a proper budget (i think) with everything that i need to pay for (no more handouts!)

a bit worried as i have only missed this months egg payment and they have called everyday the first call at 8am every morning with automated call and then 3 more calls through out the day. i want to pay them off but just can't go on like this anymore. doing this for nearly 3 years now any advise to get the ball rolling please thanks.
Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet[/b]
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 2
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 500
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 824
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1324
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 481
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 97
Electricity............................. 50
Gas..................................... 50
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 25
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 35
TV Licence.............................. 13
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 200
Clothing................................ 20
Petrol/diesel........................... 50
Road tax................................ 12
Car Insurance........................... 36
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 15
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 40
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 36
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 54
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 20
Haircuts................................ 10
Entertainment........................... 20
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 10
Total monthly expenses.................. 1274

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 81000
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 2000
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 83000

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
Mortgage...................... 84500....(481)......5.5
Total secured & HP debts...... 84500.....-.........-
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly
mint...........................4800......110
egg............................2000......46
next...........................1300......112
creation.......................1800......66
mothercare.....................200.......5
cahoot.........................1500......12
Total unsecured debts..........11600.....351.......- [/b]

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,324
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,274
Available for debt repayments........... 50
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 351
Amount short for making debt repayments. -301
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 83,000
Total HP & Secured debt................. -84,500
Total Unsecured debt.................... -11,600
Net Assets.............................. -13,100

Hi zopo and thank you for your message

Sorry to hear of your present circumstances.

It's good to hear you are taking control and trying to sort things out

I would recommend that you contact us for further advice on your current situation so that we can look at all your options.

You can either use our online advice facility Debt Remedy, or ring our free Helpline to book a telephone appointment with a counsellor.

Debt Remedy will assist you in completing a financial statement which includes information on your household, employment, income, expenditure and debts. All this information is used as a basis to determine the options available to you to deal with your situation.

Once you’ve followed the process through and completed all the required information you will immediately be presented with an advice booklet, which will provide tailored advice for you based on your current circumstances. It will also provide advice on ways you may be able to improve your situation.

Alternatively if you would prefer to talk to a debt counsellor about your situation, you can book a telephone based appointment by calling our helpline free on 0800 138 1111. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00.

Kind Regards,

Sue

StepChange_Pavan

k_moor25 wrote: »

Hiya

I have just written to churchwood to cancel my debt managment plan with them and I am in the process of setting another plan up with cccs because its a free service, I was paying churchwood nearly £35 a month for fees and I think this is wrong.

I am just wondering if my creditors will be ok with this ? Am I doing the right thing ?

Hi there and thanks for your post.

We will write to your creditors with an update of your situation and your new offer of payment.

There’s no guarantee how your creditors will react, although they should be pleased to know that you’re no longer paying for a service that is now free.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Pavan

StepChange_Pavan

iwhite wrote: »

Hello,
My daughter is being chased for a debt which I believe is not owed
On her 14th Birthday in 2005 she had a kidney operation in association with my work BUPA membership and had a few follow ups for a year or so
She is now being chased for an invoice (£158) by Virtual Lease Services who say that on 6th June 2006 she had an appointment at John Radcliffe Hospital (she would have been 17 at the time)
VLS say that BUPA payed £58 towards the bill and the rest (£100) is outstanding....


I would like to point out the following;

• We were on holiday in Devon the day of the alleged appointment (6th June 2008) However proof may be difficult, it is diarised though
• I have confirmation from BUPA that on 6th June 2008 we were not covered by BUPA insurance as I was not a member of BUPA at this time
• BUPA have confirmed and have no record of any payment of £58 or any invoice for £158 or any other relating to this matter
• She was 17 years old and therefore surely not liable for the debt anyway, she had treatment from 13 years old

I would really appreciate any advice as she is worried as they are threatening legal action however I am 100% that this debt is wrong and probably unenforceable anyway

Many thanks

Hi iwhite and thank you for your post.

This sounds very strange, especially because of your daughter’s age at the time.

I’d recommend that you contact Consumer Direct as they may be able to point you in the right direction and advise you on your rights.

Kind regards,
Pavan

iliketea

Hi, can you help with a letter, i need to start my dmp in march (due to changing bank and moving my wages into it) i looking for something to state i'm in contact with yourselves,and i'm making a £1 token payment ,
this will be my first unpaid creditor due around the 13th ,this company has nothing to do with my bank -my fear is the bank will find out and take my wages to pay the overdraft. am i being daft or could this happen?

CCCS_Sue

iliketea wrote: »

Hi, can you help with a letter, i need to start my dmp in march (due to changing bank and moving my wages into it) i looking for something to state i'm in contact with yourselves,and i'm making a £1 token payment ,
this will be my first unpaid creditor due around the 13th ,this company has nothing to do with my bank -my fear is the bank will find out and take my wages to pay the overdraft. am i being daft or could this happen?

Hi iliketea and thank you for your message

You can use the ‘notification of DMP’ letter we provide in our booklet to inform your creditors you are setting up your DMP with us.

This informs your creditors you are in touch with us, and you need to send this with your offer of payment .

If you have not received this, then you could contact our client support team who will be able to advise you further.
If you filled in the Debt Remedy online facility to get your options, then you can contact the Debt Remedy support team.

If you are still paying money into a bank account where you have an overdraft and other debts, then the bank could take money from your account to pay off the debts you have with them. This is known as the bank’s ‘right of offset’.

Whilst you are waiting to change bank accounts, it may be worth looking at drawing out any money you need for everyday living costs and bills as soon as the money goes into the account.
Hopefully this wouldn’t be for long, just until your new basic account is set up.

If you have any further problems at all, you can contact our support counsellors.


Kind Regards
Sue

iliketea

thank you sue,
i'm still getting all the infomation together to send to you, i was not sure if i was able to use that letter yet..
thanks again:beer: