Complete shock! Please help/ advise!

never-in-doubt

When did she actually last make payment to any of the debts?

You're jumping the gun here - the first thing you need to do is to get her credit file, see here: Obtaining your Credit File(s) - From the Credit Reference Agencies then establish when payment was last made. I'd not be linking to your address either, instead get them sent to her parents or whetever and post back when you have the details of her credit file.

If these debts were last paid a few years ago then they may be pushing Statute Barred so worth checking before acknowledging anything.

Anonymousa

End of 2008 I think.

Anonymousa

never-in-doubt wrote: »

When did she actually last make payment to any of the debts?

You're jumping the gun here - the first thing you need to do is to get her credit file, see here: (had to delete your link to post) then establish when payment was last made. I'd not be linking to your address either, instead get them sent to her parents or whetever and post back when you have the details of her credit file.

If these debts were last paid a few years ago then they may be pushing Statute Barred so worth checking before acknowledging anything.

Sorry to be thick - what do you mean by post back?

Anonymousa

purpleheather2810 wrote: »

In your circumstances I would probably just do an SOA with approximate figures, as accurate as possible, and go from there. It would certainly be a help going forward and I'd imagine that any debt charity that you contact would want to have some kind of SOA to work with. Good luck with it all.

Sorry, what's an SOA? Statement of Affairs?

purpleheather2810

Anonymousa wrote: »

Sorry, what's an SOA? Statement of Affairs?

Yes, it's a way of writing down everything that comes in and everything that goes out, plus a list of debts with the amount outstanding (approximately if this is all the info you have) and their percentage rates, where known. It helps you to see the complete picture, which will help you to figure out what to do next (along with the excellent advice being given by more experienced peeps than me).

I'm not sure if I can post a link but I'll try.

http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

never-in-doubt

Anonymousa wrote: »

Sorry to be thick - what do you mean by post back?

Make a post on this thread, i.e. get the credit files then come back and tell us if she has any defaults and the status of her file, this will make it easier to give accurate advice.

For instance if she is defaulted [D] then the DCA will accept maybe 20% of the debts value, however if it is just in arrears and still with the lender, so say a status shows like this [3] then the lender will not accept lower than the balance so its best to get them to sell it to a DCA which not only freezes charges and interest, but also allows you to make an offer cheaper than the lender will accept.

Make sense? :beer:

never-in-doubt

Anonymousa wrote: »

Sorry, what's an SOA? Statement of Affairs?

Yes, but i'd not worry about this right now. Get the credit files sorted and then PM me, or post basic details (nothing personal) on here and we'll be able to advise.

An SOA is no use when you're looking to make full and final offers, its a wasted excercise.... in my opinion anyway.

:beer:

Anonymousa

A DCA doesn't look like being an option as she has a pension worth more than £300, but we'll get back to you after the credit reports tonight.

Thanks all!!

never-in-doubt

Anonymousa wrote: »

A DCA doesn't look like being an option as she has a pension worth more than £300, but we'll get back to you after the credit reports tonight.

Thanks all!!

Hiya

what do you mean? I'm not on about a DRO (debt relief order)....

DCA = Debt Collection Agency like Lowells, for example....

I am saying that you need the lender to sell the debt to the dca, at which point you find haggling is easier.

following me?

Anonymousa

Yes, I meant a DRO. But I'm following you. I'll be back with more details tonight.