Struggling with debt? Ask a debt advisor a question

System

EmmaEliffe1980 wrote: »

Please help unsure what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!

7 years ago i went into an IVA to try and clear £16000 debt and student loans. I was dong really well for 2 years, but I fell pregnant, had my child and had to go part time. I had to cancel my IVA as I could no longer keep up the re-payments. As it turned out I payed over £5000 but that hardly touched the debts the company took most of it. I was then contacted by a solicitors who specilised in defaulted IVAs I paid them £350 to keep my debters at bay for 1 year. They then said they would look into reclaiming my PPI and any other charges. Cut a long story short this company had me over completly rubbish and have now left them. So dont know what to do??? I have £15000 still in debts which were all took out before 2006, I feel that its a too small of an amount to go bankrup? Is there anyway to avoid this?? I still work part time and have other untiliy bills to pay so a DMP is not an option??

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It sounds like you would benefit from some free and impartial advice.

We’d need a few more details before we could decide what the best debt solution for you is.

The first thing to do is visit our online debt advice service Debt Remedy (http://www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu) to help you find a solution to your debt problem quickly.

Debt Remedy will assist you in completing a financial statement with information on your household, employment, income, expenditure and debts. From this the service will automatically determine your options.

To help you fill in the form, it’s best to gather together information about:
• Your income
• Your expenditure
• The creditors you owe money to

You’ll receive a downloadable advice booklet providing a tailored solution for you based on your current circumstances and advice on ways you may be able to improve your situation.

If you’re not confident with computers or would like to speak to an advisor then you’re welcome to ring our free Helpline on 0800 138 1111. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm and Saturday 9am until 3.00pm.

If you phone us it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Mat

nottoolate

payday comapny refusing payments

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3989531

kate5919

I am really hoping someone can help me.

I currently have a defaulted payment for an Orange mobile phone contract, this is a payment that I have been disputing now for the last 3 years. I have been unable to get any answers and 6 months ago Orange sold the debt to a collection Agency called CapQuest. A couple of months ago I went to the financial ombudsman with the complaint and was then referred to the communications ombudsman who has now told me that because of the time period they can't review the claim. I called the Citizens Advice Bureau but they haven't been much help.

The sum of money is quite minimal and an easy solution would be to pay them but it will be left for six years on my credit history! And for a debt that I am 100% sure is incorrect that seems a lot to accept.

Also for such a small sum it has prevented me opening a debit card with my partner or doing anything else with my money.

Who can I go to next that will be able to help resolve this?

Thanks!

System

rainbowboat wrote: »

Hello
I've just been made redundant and have a small redundancy package. I was wondering if my creditors ( loan and credit cards) would accept a settlement payment as I can't see that I'll be able to keep up with re-payments. For example is it likely they'll accept £5k for a £13k loan?

If so, how do I do this? Will they accept an offer from me or should I go through a 3rd party?

Thanks

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It sounds like you would benefit from some free and impartial advice.

You can do this yourself but it’s important to get creditors to put in writing any reduced offer they accept, the letters need to state that the lump sum you pay is in 'full and final satisfaction' of the outstanding debt. You must then retain this paperwork.

It can be a little tricky also if you have a limited pot of cash and more than a couple of creditors.

We can’t say for certain what creditors will accept but we can assist you with free advice as to how best to go about this. I’d recommend that you give us a call on 0800 138 1111. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm and Saturday 9am until 3.00pm.

If you phone us it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Mat

Helpmeclearmydebt

Hi,

I’m wondering if anyone can help me with some good advice about my debts. My situation is maybe a bit unusual. 10 years ago I was diagnosed with an illness that I never really came to terms with. Consequently I have over the last 10 years ran up a lot of debt and most recently I have developed a gambling problem. I am in approx. £22k worth of debt.

I am now in a place where I am finally coming to terms with my condition and I am receiving counselling for my addiction. A lot of my creditors I have avoided so I am not in contact with them all but regularly receive letters from debt recovery agencies. I have a lot of pay day loans outstanding also.

This month I am clearing the arrears on my rent and also keeping up with the maintenance of my car i.e. my car insurance had not been paid and I do not have a up to date MOT certificate. I felt like these were things that I needed to deal with immediately but this has left me with no more monies to pay my creditors. I have contacted the ones I am in touch with to let them know because I really do want to deal with this and not run away like I normally do.

I have been in contact with an agency who specialise in DMP and IVA’s and they have advised me that a IVA would be my best option at this time. I am reluctant to get into this because it is a 5 year plan and I have also been in a DMP before which caused me a lot of distress because the creditors continued to harass me at work and continued to add on interest. I ended up leaving my job and running away from all the debts – I do not want to do this again.

I am not wondering whether I should contact all my creditors and debt collection agencies myself and try to come up with a plan, ideally they would freeze the interest and I could really work at clearing my debt. My problem is that for the first couple of months the payments may not be as high as I could manage in other months because I am catching up with myself. I want to clear this in under 5 years and think I will be able to if the creditors freeze the interest and are happy for me to maybe start off slowly but work up to higher payments. I also have loans where family members are guarantors and Im hoping they will also accept a plan rather than contact my guarantors for payment.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Does anyone have any advice for me?

Really appreciate your help – thank you!!

System

kirsty1253 wrote: »

Hi I am trying to set up reduced payment arrangements due to a hopefully very short term glitch in my financial situation.
All my creditors have been wonderful and accepted CCCS income/expenditure printouts and template letters and are truly being outstanding - all bar one.
Very catalogu seem to be doing all they can to STOP me sorting it out. I initially offered £1 a month which they refused, but then after sorting all my other debts was able to offer £5 a month which they still refused. They then phoned, trying to get my to pay £23 a month which I simply do not have, so I wrote again and asked them to review my account again re: £5 a month and to stop interest and late payment fees.
I then got a letter from them saying no but to call an 0844 number within 7 days if I still needed help - but 2 days later a debt recovery letter and phone calls started - I explained the situation (TWICE - as the first time the girl did not enter the notes on the system) and they said that the CCCS has to send them paperwork and should give me a reference?
I am confused! Can you advise? WHat annoys me is that they send me these leaflets about paying priority debts first (mortgage etc) and to speak to creditors for help - but then refuse point blank to help at all!! I dont need to send references to anyone else so how can one company be so different? My other catalogue have been great!!

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If a creditor refuses the amount you offer you should just continue to pay it anyway. They are within their rights to continue to add interest and charges in line with the original agreement if they want to, neither we nor any other charity or company can guarantee that creditors will stop charges.

I’d recommend that you send them your reference number (this proves to the creditor you have had advice from us) and another copy of your budget, send this recorded delivery. If the phone calls from this creditor are becoming an issue you can also request that company only correspond with you in writing and that they remove your telephone number from their systems.

We’ve got a blogpost on this that might be worth reading –

http://moneyaware.co.uk/2011/08/you%E2%80%99re-in-debt-but-what-can-your-creditors-actually-do/

As you’re already a client you can give us a call if you need any more support.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Mat

StepChange_Pavan

kate5919 wrote: »

I am really hoping someone can help me.

I currently have a defaulted payment for an Orange mobile phone contract, this is a payment that I have been disputing now for the last 3 years. I have been unable to get any answers and 6 months ago Orange sold the debt to a collection Agency called CapQuest. A couple of months ago I went to the financial ombudsman with the complaint and was then referred to the communications ombudsman who has now told me that because of the time period they can't review the claim. I called the Citizens Advice Bureau but they haven't been much help.

The sum of money is quite minimal and an easy solution would be to pay them but it will be left for six years on my credit history! And for a debt that I am 100% sure is incorrect that seems a lot to accept.

Also for such a small sum it has prevented me opening a debit card with my partner or doing anything else with my money.

Who can I go to next that will be able to help resolve this?

Thanks!

Hi kate5919 and thank you for your post.

Unfortunately the only way to have it removed from your credit file is if the creditor was to agree to this and if they don’t agree that it’s in dispute it could be tricky. Have you asked them to provide you with some proof of the debt and an explanation as to why you think you don’t owe the money?

If you’re able to pay the amount, one way around it would be to pay it in full and ask them to put a settlement note on your file which should help your eligibility for a current account. (On that note, your credit file shouldn’t affect your eligibility for a basic bank account.)

As you’re disputing the debt we would normally refer you to the Financial Ombudsman – you could try them again if the communications team couldn’t help you.

Kind regards,
Pavan

kiwichick

Hi All,

I've been recommended to give CCCS a ring by a friend of mine who has used their service and found it to be invaluable.

I dont know anything about CCCS so searched MSE as trust the advice given here so extremely happy to find this thread and see that its all above board.

Can I ask some advice please? I seperated from my husband 3 years ago but remain in the marital home with our 3 children. He does pay maintenance and I work part time at the childrens school. I am really struggling with old debts (mainly the dreaded credit cards/store cards) and have gotten to the stage where I'm finding it hard to make even the minimum payments. I also have a mortgage on the house and a loan plus payments for the old buy now pay later deals on sofa and laptop.

None of my debt is secured against the house, not sure if thats a good thing or not? Reading here makes me think good as I was hoping to get a mortgage extension for the debt but people seem to say steer clear of moving unsecured to secured debt.

Will CCCS be able to help me? How will it affect my mortgage? I'm terrified of being forced to sell the house as the equity I have in this is the only way I'll be able to afford to put my kids through university.

Gosh, sorry for the ramble! I'm just so lost in the debt I dont know where to start with anything but the stress of it is affecting my health.

Thanks,
Allison

Mazz27

Hi,

Was wondering if someone could please help me. My husband is being chased by a debt collection agency for an unsecured loan of the amount of £3460.91 The loan was taken out before we were married and is only in his name. My husband hasn't worked for the past 4 years has in has mental health issues but has only just started to get help and has been signed off work for 6 months.

My question is can I be made to pay off my husbands debts? He does get child benefit and child tax credit in his name but other than that he has no money has I have been supporting him. I really don't want this to end up going to court but don't see why I should pay a debt that isn't mine and was taken out before we were married.

Any advise would be greatfully recieved.

Thanks,

Mazz

System

Helpmeclearmydebt wrote: »

Hi,

I’m wondering if anyone can help me with some good advice about my debts. My situation is maybe a bit unusual. 10 years ago I was diagnosed with an illness that I never really came to terms with. Consequently I have over the last 10 years ran up a lot of debt and most recently I have developed a gambling problem. I am in approx. £22k worth of debt.

I am now in a place where I am finally coming to terms with my condition and I am receiving counselling for my addiction. A lot of my creditors I have avoided so I am not in contact with them all but regularly receive letters from debt recovery agencies. I have a lot of pay day loans outstanding also.

This month I am clearing the arrears on my rent and also keeping up with the maintenance of my car i.e. my car insurance had not been paid and I do not have a up to date MOT certificate. I felt like these were things that I needed to deal with immediately but this has left me with no more monies to pay my creditors. I have contacted the ones I am in touch with to let them know because I really do want to deal with this and not run away like I normally do.

I have been in contact with an agency who specialise in DMP and IVA’s and they have advised me that a IVA would be my best option at this time. I am reluctant to get into this because it is a 5 year plan and I have also been in a DMP before which caused me a lot of distress because the creditors continued to harass me at work and continued to add on interest. I ended up leaving my job and running away from all the debts – I do not want to do this again.

I am not wondering whether I should contact all my creditors and debt collection agencies myself and try to come up with a plan, ideally they would freeze the interest and I could really work at clearing my debt. My problem is that for the first couple of months the payments may not be as high as I could manage in other months because I am catching up with myself. I want to clear this in under 5 years and think I will be able to if the creditors freeze the interest and are happy for me to maybe start off slowly but work up to higher payments. I also have loans where family members are guarantors and Im hoping they will also accept a plan rather than contact my guarantors for payment.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Does anyone have any advice for me?

Really appreciate your help – thank you!!

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on taking positive steps on this.

We’d need to know more details about your situation before we could offer any solutions.

An IVA is a legally binding form of insolvency and you should take free and impartial advice before entering into an IVA. The advantages of an IVA are that creditors are bound to freeze interest and charges and they are legally bound to cease all contact with you. We have a dedicated team that can advise you on IVAs..

If it is possible to clear your debts within 5 years a DMP may be the better solution although neither we nor any company or charity can guarantee that creditors will freeze interest and charges, this is entirely up to the creditor. We can offer ongoing advice and support during DMPs, this can include how to stop creditors contacting you.

http://moneyaware.co.uk/2011/06/what-to-do-when-creditors-keep-phoning-you-2/

It’s also worth noting that our DMPs are free of charge so all of the money you pay into the plan goes towards clearing your debts.

Contacting your creditors yourself could be an option and some creditors will sometimes agree to short term plans where interest and charges are frozen. This is less likely if the debts have been sold onto debt collection agencies.

There could be other solutions available to you depending on your circumstances.

You would also need further advice from us regards the Guarantors you have on some debts. It is possible the credit companies would approach the Guarantor if you didn’t maintain the contractual payments or entered a legally binding form of insolvency. We’d try and offer the best solution for you if this is the case.

I’d recommend that you call our free Helpline on 0800 138 1111. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm and Saturday 9am until 3.00pm.

If you phone us it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.

You’ve taken the first step to sorting out your money worries and we can support you with free and impartial advice along the way.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Mat