DMP Mutual Support Thread - Part 7

ianmak

Twit_Head wrote: »

U doing the masterful, chest-beating, dominant male thing?

Be afraid, be very afraid - I'm back

'Twitty'

Welcome back Auntie Twitty! I've missed your helpful abuse and advice.

Pink-Angel

ianmak wrote: »

You can ask me nicely for one if you like!

Ian

Hello Ian,

I've only just discovered this thread but looks great.... I'm still finding my way around everything. Would there be any possibility that I could have a number please?

CommitedToChange

ianmak wrote: »

You can ask me nicely for one if you like!

Ian

Could i please have a number as well? - pretty please with sugar on top :iloveyou: (too much? )

Dizzie77

Hey guys - I just wanted to add my support too...
I am now 6 months away from being debt free - having been on a DMP with CCCS for 2 years. I am so excited to be so close to being debt free - and already planning to put the money I currently pay to CCCS into a savings account - as I can clearly live without it, and it is useful to have savings.

When I started my DMP, I had debts of almost £25k, and to be honest, I was suicidal with the worry of it all - thankfully, someone told me about DMP, I did some research and I've not looked back since...! I'm proud to say that I've never missed a DMP payment - but the people on the phones at CCCS are so practical and helpful - and they really don't let you miss anything out on your budget, which helps you to afford to live whilst paying back the debt.

Well done to everyone who is paying off their debts - and thanks to everyone on here for offering support...!! You Guys Rock!!!

secretshopper75

Twit_Head wrote: »

No shame needed. You have had the courage to face up to your problems and take control. :A You will cope with creditors. They will never act to a standard pattern, so difficult to advise. Just take a deep breath, and deal with what needs to be dealt with !
As regular readers will know, we are very fond of vino. (Saturday nights after payday on here - now that is shameful:rotfl:)
The wind has removed my fence to another garden far, far away, the car is going for MOT next week, and I need £200 of dental work doing.
Does any one have the phone number of this Roman Abramovich bloke? I think I would like a transfer to a better life (£50 million quid and I'm all yours chuck )

Happy Weekend to everybody from me too.

'Twitty'

I want his number too....:rotfl:

debtfreewannabe321

Evening all I received a letter from CCCS today saying my direct debit had been set up and that my first payment will be due 1st march is just a little bit sad to be so happy about it lol I have not heard from any creditors yet, but they would have only received their letters last wed/thurs and have to say i'm feeling quite nervous about that esp hearing some of the stories about barclays and santander on here (they are our main debts) :eek: so i'm hoping they are gentle with me!

Pretty please :A may I have a DMP number I am feeling a little left out now :rotfl:..would a bribe of a drink help?? :beer:!! lol

the_tooth_fairy

Twit_Head wrote: »

Hello to all of you new to this DMP stuff :wave:
Just passing through myself at the moment so a brief message to try and help.

1) Get yourself a basic bank acount unconnected to your previous accounts/creditors

2) Expect a rough ride at the start. Your balances will probably rise at the beginning.

3) Put thoughts of threats of court/bailiffs etc to the back of your mind. Yes they can happen, but show your commitment and they will be unlikely.

4) Your're in debt but no shame needed. Just work towards living a better life in the future.

5) Stick with the lovely people here - they will always try to help and advise.

To the 'Oldies' I'm going again now - need time to sort my head out, but thanks again for your support :heart2:

'Twitty' x

That's our girl!
Sorry work is so mad that I can only contribute at the weekend, but we are so glad to have our Twitty back.
Twitty, your reactions to the messages here reminded me of when my Grandfather passed away. He was my Dads' Dad, and MY Dad suddenly became more aware of how fragile your place in the world is, even though you are going through Hell. Dad,a frugal man (no DNA there then,) he even treated us all to a lovely holiday in Canada, where my Mum met with her brother, who we hadn't seen in years. Isn't it strange how the most awful experiences lead you to really think about what's really going on?

Welcome back!

ttf xxx

the_tooth_fairy

Dizzie77 wrote: »

Hey guys - I just wanted to add my support too...
I am now 6 months away from being debt free - having been on a DMP with CCCS for 2 years. I am so excited to be so close to being debt free - and already planning to put the money I currently pay to CCCS into a savings account - as I can clearly live without it, and it is useful to have savings.

When I started my DMP, I had debts of almost £25k, and to be honest, I was suicidal with the worry of it all - thankfully, someone told me about DMP, I did some research and I've not looked back since...! I'm proud to say that I've never missed a DMP payment - but the people on the phones at CCCS are so practical and helpful - and they really don't let you miss anything out on your budget, which helps you to afford to live whilst paying back the debt.

Well done to everyone who is paying off their debts - and thanks to everyone on here for offering support...!! You Guys Rock!!!

Hey Dizzie!
Thanks for those words, everybody on here does Rock! I have had the best advice in the world, I am not sure how we would have got on without all the help and support. (Did anyone see the News report today about THEM putting the average monthly C/C fee to 17.8%?!). It makes you wonder when peoples finances are going to start imploding.
I am also worried about the closing of local Citizens Advice Clinics, and hoping the 18% merchants don't swamp vulnerable people with 'help'.

ttf

B17c

Pink-Angel wrote: »

Hi there B17c,

From all the excellent things I've read on this forum, I have learned that we shouldn't actually sign letters etc, just type, so that the creditors don't have our signatures. I had an odd letter from MINT asking me to sign the bottom of theirs but I have just ignored it because I know that the CCCS have written to all my creditors with a payment offer. My suggestion would be not to sign.

Thanks Pink Angel!
It IS a letter accepting the offer of reduced payments, altho they are still charging interest (6.5%?), they want me to cut up my cards and send them back, then, when they receive them, they're going to send a CCA that i have to sign....

Easier just to post up what it says in the letter...!

"On receipt of your card(s) I will issue a Consumer Credit Act Agreement form. This confirms the amount and term of the agreement and the interest to be charged. I also confirm that first direct will not take any further action as long as the agreed repayments are made. The documents must be signed and returned within seven days of receipt. If they are nor received in this time the agreement will be invalid. Further action may be taken which, ultimately, may result in the account(s) being passed to a Debt Collection Agency, even if regular payments are being received.
It is now my intention to amalgamate any balances held onto your account number **********. This is to assist you and first direct in monitoring repayments. By signing and returning the Consumer Credit Act agreement form you will have provided your authority for this action to be taken."

I agree, i have seen lots of posts on these forums saying dont sign, just wondered if anyone else had had a letter like this, signed, and untoward stuff had happened as a result of this??

Have posted the same question on " ask a CCCS councillor" thread...
Thanks! x

mikon

Hi everyone

Here is some advice

1. Do not sign anything any new credit agreements.

2. Do not sign any letters you send to creditors.

3. Write to your creditors asking them to contact you in writing not by phone also ask them to remove all telephone numbers from their records.

4. If a creditors uses threatening language such as we will ring you at work remind them that it is offence under Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970 and Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988
·to harass of debtors with a view to obtaining payment including the issue of letters which convey a threat or false information with intent to cause distress or anxiety.

5. Enusre that erverytime you contact ypur creditors that CCCS or Payplan are authorised to deal with your finances and therefore they should speak with them and give them your refrencence number.

6. If you get letters from creditors that your not sure about contact CCCS or Payplan and send a standard letter stating point 5.

7. Keep a diary of all contact with creditors and ensure you also make a note of when your reviews with each creditor is due.

8. Please note that some creditors will notify you of acceptance and others will not.

9. Please be sure to check your monthly statements and by law your entitled to one per year.

10. Watch because some creditors such as Barclaycard will stop interest and charges for the first 6 months and for some reason will then restart interest at a low level.

11. Remember all the letters you get from creditors always use the word may We may take you to court, we may pass the debt on to a third party, you may incur charges etc. Remember the majority of letters you receive will be computer generated.

12. Keep all correspondence from your creditors.

13. Unlucky for some but most calls stop after about 2 months and some creditors stop immediately but things do settle down.

14. Creditor or Debt Collection Agencies threaten to dome to your house to collect debt.

To Whom It May Concern

Dear Sir / Madam

Re your reference:

With reference to any possible Home Visit you may be contemplating, I would advise you that OFT rules and regulations clearly state that you can only visit me at my home if you make an appointment and I can advise you now that I have no wish to make such an appointment either now or at any time in the future. Further, there is an implied license under English Common Law for people to be able to visit me on my property without express permission; the postman and people asking for directions etc. (Armstrong v. Sheppard and Short Ltd [1959] 2 Q.B. per Lord Evershed M.R.). Therefore, take note that I revoke license under Common Law for you, or your representatives, to visit me at my property. If you send "doorstep collectors" to my home you will be reported for harassment and be liable for damages for a tort of trespass. You would also be liable for conspiring in a tort of trespass by acting in defiance of my instructions and sending someone to visit me nevertheless. Should it prove necessary, I will obtain an injunction.

Yours Sincerely

I hope these cover some points that you all have queries about. Remember

I hope these tips help you.

I started my DMP eight months ago and if you read my last post you will see I experienced the worry, nightmares and tortured myself with what happens if this happens or that happens but eight months down the line its the best thing I have ever done. I am not ashamed of my situation I am addressing it and facing up to my debts. Together we will get each other through this.

Have a good weekend everyone I hope this post will help allay some of your fears.

Mikon :T