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  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    Hi!
    We have had a plan with cccs up and running for a few months now and all our creditors have seemed to be ok apart from Halifax. The debt was passed to their in house collections team, Albion and for the last few weeks we have has letters from them with ever increasing threats. The one that arrived today says -Our client has told us that you still have not paid the amount you owe on your account. This situation cannot continue. Unless you pay the full amount now, our client will either start legal action or arrange for debt collectors to visit your property to collect the debt.
    I am really worried about this now.
    I have not contacted cccs about the letters as I know Halifax have been getting their money as it shows on my statements.
    I am just wondering what I need to do.
    Please can you advise x

    Hi Happymoneysaver79,

    Thanks for your message.

    It sounds like Albion are using collection tactics to try and get more money from you. If you have already made an affordable arrangement through a debt management plan, and you know that Halifax are getting their payments then you are already doing as much as you can.

    I have attached a link to our website which explains what creditors can and cannot do which I hope you find useful: http://www.cccs.co.uk/InfoCentre/EnglandandWales/Creditoraction.aspx

    Regards,
    Sue
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    I posted this on 16/06 and was advised to send letters to both CC providers offering £1/month while I am not working. I did this around 3 weeks ago using a template I found online and have also used both my CC's online secure email facility to check whether they have been received.

    The only correspondence I have had so far has been a letter from one saying that i am owing them two months min payments and to pay or they would take action (legal proceedings/debt recovery etc) and a text from the other saying my credit will be affected if i do not pay and again threatening similar action.

    Is it possible they haven't received/processed my letter yet or is there some other reason? I still receive a number of calls (automated) on a daily basis.

    Hi somewhat damaged,

    Thanks for your message.

    If you sent the letters recorded delivery, it is likely that they have received them. However, the creditors will still contact you and try and get more money from you. You have already done the right thing by informing them of your situation and offering a payment that you can realistically afford. You should continue to send the token payments until your circumstance change.

    I have attached a link to our CCCS website which explains what creditors can and cannot do. I hope you find this useful: http://www.cccs.co.uk/InfoCentre/EnglandandWales/Creditoraction.aspx

    Regards,
    Sue
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    Chigs362 wrote: »
    Hi all sorry if I not put this in the correct place,
    I have debt which I now have the means to clear but with the intrest on intrest my best estamate is it will take me 30 years to pay off,
    Money Expert (not moneysavingexpert) have gone through my situation and say thay can take over my debt and clear me of the debt in three and a half years paying out only half what I need to pay now.
    To good to be tru? Has any one elce heard of this company and if so what is your experience with them?
    thanks
    James

    Hi James,

    Thank you for your message,

    Three and a half years does sound like an extremely short period of time, in comparison to 30 years. If they are charging you a fee, have you considered contacting a non fee charging charity? This way, the money that you might be paying in fees could be going towards your debts.

    If you would like one of our counsellors to look at your situation and explore all of the options that are available to you before you decide, you can call us on 0800 138 1111. We are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 until 20:00. CCCS is a debt advice charity and we do not charge for any of the advice that we give.

    I hope this helps.

    Regards,
    Sue
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    alixandrea wrote: »
    Hello all. I sent a (rather long and involved) PM to the CCCS advisers the other day but can't find record of it in my Control Panel and I haven't had a reply to it yet. Has it vanished into the ether, or am I being impatient and silly? ;)

    All the best

    Alixandrea



    Hi Alixandrea,

    I’m sorry for the delay. You should have received a reply yesterday afternoon.

    If you have any problems accessing it, please let us know.

    Regards,
    Sue.
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    bomechina wrote: »
    Hi, I contacted CCCS about a month ago and was advised to offer token payments to all my creditors.
    I sent them all a S.O.A with a letter explaining my situation along with my token payment of £2. It has stopped the phone calls if nothing else, however Capital One have written saying they need copies of payslips, proof of any benefits and a bank statement before they will accept my offer of payment (even thought they cashed the cheque I sent. Can they demand these when they have my S.O.A. Also the debt was with a DCA and Capital One have written to say they have taken the debt back, does this mean they can start adding interest and charges onto it as when the DCA had the debt all interest stopped.

    Hi bomechina,

    Thank you for your message.

    It is up to you whether you decide to send them this information, but you are not legally bound to do it. It might reduce the amount of contact you get from them if you do send it.

    Unfortunately there is a possibility that Capital One might start adding interest and charges again, but this is at their discretion. However, you should continue to make the token payments unless your circumstances change.

    I hope this helps.

    Regards,
    Sue
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    197228 wrote: »
    I have recently set up a DMP with cccs and i am waiting for the responses of creditors, i am worried that if they do not agree that i will be getting further into debt as i will be getting interest added?? also worried that because i will then be paying an unagreed amout that they will send debt collectors round? at what point do the collectors get in formed to visit and will i be informed? Thanks for help

    Hi 197228,

    Thank you for your message.

    You have already done the right thing by contacting CCCS. By making payments on a debt management plan, you are offering them as much money as you can realistically afford.

    Unfortunately, adding interest onto the debts is at the creditor’s discretion and they are under no obligation to stop these. However, if you make reduced payments over a long period of time, most creditors will eventually stop charging interest and adding late payment charges.

    With regards to debt collectors, it is more likely that they will phone or write to you rather than send somebody round to your house. I have attached a link to our CCCS website which gives you more information on debt collectors which I hope you find useful: http://www.cccs.co.uk/InfoCentre/EnglandandWales/Creditoraction/Debtcollectionagencies/Homevisits.aspx
    Remember that debt collectors are not bailiffs and they don’t have any special rights.

    I hope this helps.

    Regards,
    Sue
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    bhoy1976 wrote: »
    I reduced my DMP amount today following a review in agreement with CCCS.

    Its fair to say that this was an inevitable step given my change in circumstances but not one which leaves me feeling any easier at the prolonged pain of debt. Whilst it makes my life less stressful on the budgeting front, I can't help but think my creditors are more likely to take action against me.

    The amount my DMP has reduced by is at least half of what it has been over the last 18 months and the period in which it has extended is now double. My commitment to a severely restricted lifestyle over that period has replaced the anxiety from one kind to another.

    At one point, I felt Bankruptcy may be my only option to get the monkey off my back, but because I work for the police as a civilian I now sense this is no longer an option as it would possibly effect my career, even lose my job. However, if my creditors were to reject this reduced amount, despite nothing unreasonable in my budget review, I would be horrified if I ended up with a CCJ - I think this could have a similar effect on my job.

    I wish that I could find a solution in this brain of mine to end my pain but all I can do is suffer the consequences of debt for another 11 or so years.

    I feel for those who are in a worse scenario than I, however I can't help but think that regardless of your personal situation, we all suffer just the same.

    I really hope that everyone on this forum, myself included, sees a fast end to their financial trauma.

    Good Luck to you all.

    bhoy1976

    Hi bhoy16,

    Thank you for your message.

    You are already doing as much as you can by making realistic payments that you can afford. If your circumstances improve in the future, then you will be able to offer more each month and clear your debts quicker.

    If you do receive a CCJ, you can apply for a Tomlin Order which withdraws court action in order to avoid disciplinary action at work. You can only apply for this once you have received the paperwork, so if this happens I would advise you to give us a call.

    I hope this helps to put your mind at ease. :)

    Regards,
    Sue
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    MrC1977 wrote: »
    hi

    please can you help

    my ex-partner and myself split up over a year ago. We have a flat that we are renting out however the tenants are moving out early september.

    both of us are now getting into more and more debt and when the tenants stop paying rent this will only get much worse.

    We have decided to sell as renting wasnt working but the problem is whist the sale price will pay off the secured mortgage we will still have a joint unsecured loan and various individual credit card debts. approximate total £20k each

    once the flat is sold the debts will probably be manageable but neither will be paying the debt off. short term there is no way we can afford the payments without the tenants rent coming in. problem is we have no way of knowing when the flay will sell

    is a debt management plan the best route and what happens after we sell the flat? also how will effect our lives in the future?

    any help is appreciated

    thanks



    Hi MrC1977,

    Thank you for your message.

    I would recommend that you speak to one of our trained debt counsellors as they will look at your situation and explore all of the solutions that are available to you. They will explain your options fully and how they might affect you. You can call our free phone helpline on 0800 138 1111, which is open from 8am until 8pm.

    Regards,
    Sue
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • evenasus
    evenasus Posts: 11,866 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    All 17 posts by FredKirkz are SPAM.
    Spammer reported.
  • Hi, I've 2 main issues I could do with help with, first of all, I have a catalogue debt of £132 from 2002 that I could not afford to pay at the time, (kids were really small, money was tight) I had forgotten all about it, even while paying off other debts after university as it was not listed on my credit reports. Since this time I have finished a university course and have been working as a nurse for 3 years, now a debt collection agency have been in touch by mail and are calling 2-3 times daily for this money. I can afford to pay this, and would pay it if it was going to the people I was actually due it to, but knowing that these vultures (Robinson Way) have probably paid no more that £20 for my debt, I am reluctant to pay them as it is almost pure profit for them. Do I really have to pay?

    The other issue is that I went to university so that I could afford to buy a larger house as me and my kids are crammed into a tiny council house with no chance of getting moved in next few years as there aren't enough properties left. We can't move area due to other issues. My credit score is low however, 339. I have no missed payments in last 4 years, last defaults, 2 of them, are from 2006 and are now settled, but I have 16 accounts, mostly settled but for small amounts from provident mainly. I had to use them as I couldn't get credit and was paying off my student debts initially after uni. I feel like I'm in a viscious circle now, I earn £29,500pa and have a disposable income of £1000pcm, but I can't get a mortgage. I can't find a way out. Private rental properties are rare and very expensive where I live and also seem like a temporary option for my kids. Homebuy schemes won't touch me as repossession in shared equity is a legal minefield. Is there anything that I can do to get a mortgage?

    Thank you x
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