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  • I'm after some advice over an old debt which I'm still paying...

    I've gone through all the paperwork I have and here's a brief summary

    Years ago I (stupidly) took on an HP agreement for a car. Within a few months my circumstances had changed and I couldn't make the payments. I wrote to the company involved and asked if they could temporarily put the account on hold, to which I got no reply. 2 months later I got a letter saying they were terminating the agreement and would repossess the car (outstanding balance "£15***.**).

    I've got a letter dated 4 months later with a balance of £10***.** so it looks like the car was sold but I have never had notification of this.

    I have been making payments since approx '96/'97 to NWS Bank, Blair Oliver and Scott, Buchanan Clarke + Wells, and Apex Credit Management.

    Every couple of months I'm bombarded with calls from Apex even though last year I spoke to a supervisor and said she'd take my phone numbers off to stop the calls.

    Over last few weeks they've called numerous times on my mobile and don't even give me chance to answer phone. They leave messages asking me to ring back and quote reference number but when I ring them back (on number they leave on voicemail) and quote reference number they go through all security questions and then tell me they can't talk to me and someone from another department will ring me back but they can't transfer my call.

    A couple of days ago I actually managed to answer the call and asked them not to ring me again but to make all contact by letter. He said he wasn't sure if this can be done but would try! I'm now being asked to email them details of income/outgoings.

    Other than winning the lottery and being able to pay this nightmare off is there anything anyone can suggest to get these people off my back!

    1) When I send them details of income/outgoings do I include tax credits?

    2) There's a possibility I could be made redunant before the end of the year. If I increase my payments to them now would I be able to reduce them again if I do lose my job?
  • fermi
    fermi Posts: 40,542 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler
    As the CCCS staff may no be able to get on here over the weekend, I've copied that last 4 questions into their own threads where fellow DFWs may be able to help. :)
    Free/impartial debt advice: National Debtline | StepChange Debt Charity | Find your local CAB

    IVA & fee charging DMP companies: Profits from misery, motivated ONLY by greed
  • deejayh
    deejayh Posts: 11 Forumite
    edited 20 June 2010 at 1:54PM
    Hi,

    I need some advice regarding the following problem with RBS.

    For 20 plus years with RBS, we (my wife and I) have had a Royalties Gold account and I was earning up to 43k per annum. We have had various consolidation loans over this period, and also an overdraft - all covered by PPI with RBS originally, but changed later to Direct Line (still RBS).

    Last September I was made redundant and have been unemployed since. The loan and overdraft amount to £12,577.00, payments by the PPI were hard to get and we had to get the ombudsman involved and since the loan PPI has been paid now regularly, though NOT the overdraft.

    This causes an issue, as the Loan PPI is paid into the account which is overdrawn and when the DDI for the loan is asked for, it is bounced - with a charge. Then the Loan charge me. Then it goes round and round.

    We have opened another complaint with the Ombudsman, which RBS are investigating (again!) and had my local RBS branch send all my statements to Bristol since last September. I had a call from one of them saying that the PPI was in my wife's name only!

    This is ridiculous, as I originally opened the account, then changed it to a joint account, I am the first named, also my wife was NOT working then and I have always been the main "bread winner" and all other PPI's are in my name!

    Surely this is misselling!! I emailed the Ombudsman stating these facts and I am yet to hear back.

    Last Wednesday we had a letter from Triton Credit Services (which we believe are part of RBS) demanding full payment of £12,577 within 7 days. I rang them and explained my position and the history and that we would not be here if the overdraft PPI was paid by RBS. I stated that my wife was earning around £450 per month and I was receiving £0-10p per week Jobseekers allowance (YES .10p!). Seemed fairly happy.

    Today at 09:30 between calls from my kids wishing happy fathers day I had a phone call from Triton Credit Services once again demanding the full amount. She was very curt. She would not pass me onto a manager and after saying that they really should not be chasing debt on a Sunday, she said they can call us any time! I refused to talk to them any further. She said you will be taken to court. I replied that I wish they would and looked forward to it!

    Any advice and help please,

    Thanks,
    Dave
  • Hello
    I lost my job and took another on rduced pay then my mpther was ill for 3 months and I incurred substantaial costs and had to pay her funeral can I delay the start of payments until the end of August once I set a DMP up/
    thanks
    m
  • I have got myself into a real mess financially. Like most small businesses I have been hit by the recession. Unfortunately I have been hit by a very severe depression which means I haven't done things unless i have been forced to and been a proud man I haven't really asked for help (apart from my GP who has been great). It has messed a few things at home but we seem to have sorted most of this out.
    Compared to a lot of you I am relatively lucky. But having looked around this site I will be taking a lot of advice and confidence that people can get out of this. I am aware that my illness has not helped me and this is something I want to put over to my creditors but i fear like a lot of businesses they are too hard nosed and insensitive that I will get short shrift.
    I owe about £10,000 on business debts and about £1600 on household. I am now only paying myself £100 a week to get the business debts down. As I have said I am relatively OK but the fact of this has made me very suicidal (and I was very close) and very reluctant to face my problems.
    I would say that anyone who feels the way i did would be advised to talk to someone Samaritans, GP, friend.
  • CCCS_Sarah
    CCCS_Sarah Posts: 1,555 Organisation Representative
    Hey all!

    Just entered into a DMP with CCCS and for some reason I didn't think about my student loan when writing down my list of debts! I have around £10000 but as I earn under the threshold I am not paying it back at the moment. I was just wondering if I need to tell CCCS about this as it is a debt but one that I am not having to pay back yet and when I do I believe it will be a very small amount taken out of my wages directly.

    Any ideas on whether or not to include it in my DMP?

    Hello,

    Thank you for your message.

    If you are under the threshold then it’s not a problem as it wouldn’t be added.

    Sarah
    I am a Debt Counsellor that works for the CCCS and have specific permission from Martin, to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on the CCCS and what it does in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article.

    CCCS is a registered charity, and there is no charge whatsoever for any of the services we provide to our clients. We take great pride in offering first class help and advice, but we only offer this where we have been able to fully explore and understand your circumstances with you. We want to help you understand these choices and their possible implications but not make them for you.
  • CCCS_Sarah
    CCCS_Sarah Posts: 1,555 Organisation Representative
    Kallam wrote: »
    Hi, I am currently on a debt management plan with CCCS. However, it is looking like there is a chance I maybe made redundant from my job soon. I will probably have to go on housing benefit for a while. I am a bit worried about this. Will CCCS still be able to manage my payment plan for me if I am on housing benefit?

    Hello,

    Thank you for your message.

    Once you know what’s happening at work, I would recommend that you call our client support department so they can update your budget and discuss your options.

    Do you think you will be getting any redundancy money?

    Sarah
    I am a Debt Counsellor that works for the CCCS and have specific permission from Martin, to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on the CCCS and what it does in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article.

    CCCS is a registered charity, and there is no charge whatsoever for any of the services we provide to our clients. We take great pride in offering first class help and advice, but we only offer this where we have been able to fully explore and understand your circumstances with you. We want to help you understand these choices and their possible implications but not make them for you.
  • CCCS_Sarah
    CCCS_Sarah Posts: 1,555 Organisation Representative
    paddyisis wrote: »
    Hi, I have two questions please.

    We have been on a DMP with CCCS for 18 months now and have paid around £9,000 but our balance has only been reduced by around £5,000 due to charges and interest, Barclaycard in particular are charging £126 of interest every month on a balance of just over £6,000. I have written to all of the companies who are still charging interest and asked them to stop, can you tell me whether I have the right to ask for interest that has been charged in the last 18 months to be repaid to the account ?

    My other question is that we have a Northern Rock Together Mortgage with an unsecured loan of £24,000, CCCS have just advised us that this needs to be added to the DMP. I'm concerned because this is going to almost double our total owed and therefore take so much longer to clear our DMP. Also, I wonder what would happen if we sold our house ? we would have around £20,000 equity, would this be split amongst all companies on the DMP or would it go directly to Northern Rock to clear the unsecured loan ?

    Thanks for your help.

    Hello,

    Thank you for your message.

    It’s unlikely that the creditors will agree to pay back the money you have paid on interest and charges, as the creditors are still able to charge these. They are under no obligation to stop the interest and charges.

    With regards the Northern Rock debt, as this is an unsecured debt it does have to be added to the list of creditors or otherwise this would be giving them preferential treatment.

    Once the house is sold, you should get the equity. Are you thinking of selling?

    Sarah
    I am a Debt Counsellor that works for the CCCS and have specific permission from Martin, to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on the CCCS and what it does in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article.

    CCCS is a registered charity, and there is no charge whatsoever for any of the services we provide to our clients. We take great pride in offering first class help and advice, but we only offer this where we have been able to fully explore and understand your circumstances with you. We want to help you understand these choices and their possible implications but not make them for you.
  • CCCS_Sarah
    CCCS_Sarah Posts: 1,555 Organisation Representative
    MsMac wrote: »
    Hi, I am trying to sort myself out so I can get a joint mortgage with my boyfriend, and I am in need of a couple of answers to help,

    Firstly, I have a formal overdraft on my account which I use every month, will this be affecting my credit rating or is it only when I go over it?

    Secondly, once I have cleared my debts, how long my credit rating affected for?

    Thanks in anticipation. :question:

    Hello,

    I have attached a link to a booklet on credit files for you to have a read through.

    http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/credit_explained_leaflet_2005.pdf

    Hope this helps
    Regards
    Sarah
    I am a Debt Counsellor that works for the CCCS and have specific permission from Martin, to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on the CCCS and what it does in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article.

    CCCS is a registered charity, and there is no charge whatsoever for any of the services we provide to our clients. We take great pride in offering first class help and advice, but we only offer this where we have been able to fully explore and understand your circumstances with you. We want to help you understand these choices and their possible implications but not make them for you.
  • CCCS_Sarah
    CCCS_Sarah Posts: 1,555 Organisation Representative
    debtwuss wrote: »
    I'm after some advice over an old debt which I'm still paying...

    I've gone through all the paperwork I have and here's a brief summary

    Years ago I (stupidly) took on an HP agreement for a car. Within a few months my circumstances had changed and I couldn't make the payments. I wrote to the company involved and asked if they could temporarily put the account on hold, to which I got no reply. 2 months later I got a letter saying they were terminating the agreement and would repossess the car (outstanding balance "£15***.**).

    I've got a letter dated 4 months later with a balance of £10***.** so it looks like the car was sold but I have never had notification of this.

    I have been making payments since approx '96/'97 to NWS Bank, Blair Oliver and Scott, Buchanan Clarke + Wells, and Apex Credit Management.

    Every couple of months I'm bombarded with calls from Apex even though last year I spoke to a supervisor and said she'd take my phone numbers off to stop the calls.

    Over last few weeks they've called numerous times on my mobile and don't even give me chance to answer phone. They leave messages asking me to ring back and quote reference number but when I ring them back (on number they leave on voicemail) and quote reference number they go through all security questions and then tell me they can't talk to me and someone from another department will ring me back but they can't transfer my call.

    A couple of days ago I actually managed to answer the call and asked them not to ring me again but to make all contact by letter. He said he wasn't sure if this can be done but would try! I'm now being asked to email them details of income/outgoings.

    Other than winning the lottery and being able to pay this nightmare off is there anything anyone can suggest to get these people off my back!

    1) When I send them details of income/outgoings do I include tax credits?

    2) There's a possibility I could be made redunant before the end of the year. If I increase my payments to them now would I be able to reduce them again if I do lose my job?

    Hello,

    Thank you for your message.

    The creditors can’t have what you have not got to give them. We would be able to help you complete a detailed financial statement. If you would like an appointment, please call our helpline on 0800 138 1111.

    With regards the phone calls, you would need to tell them in writing to remove your number. I have attached a letter below for you to use.

    Hope this helps
    Sarah

    To whom it may concern

    Dear Sir/Madam

    I am writing to ask that you no longer contact me by telephone as your calls are causing me considerable stress due to the frequency, and that they are being made at inappropriate times. Please remove my telephone number from your database and send all future communication in writing to my home address.

    I have provided the most recent copy of my income and expenditure to make you aware of my current financial situation. I will continue to make my payment of x on the x of every month and will keep you informed of any changes in my circumstances as I am keen to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

    I understand that following this request if you continue to call I can contact the Office of Fair Trading to make a formal complaint.

    Please confirm in writing that your records have been amended.

    Yours sincerely
    I am a Debt Counsellor that works for the CCCS and have specific permission from Martin, to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on the CCCS and what it does in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article.

    CCCS is a registered charity, and there is no charge whatsoever for any of the services we provide to our clients. We take great pride in offering first class help and advice, but we only offer this where we have been able to fully explore and understand your circumstances with you. We want to help you understand these choices and their possible implications but not make them for you.
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