I have no idea how much or who I owe but I know I'm in serious debt

in-a-muddle

Can anyone help Please.

I got into debt about 4 years ago with the bank and a loan company and other debtors totally 24k.

Instead of managing the situation I caved in resulting in a personal break down and withdrawal from normal activities and lost my job. I recovered slowly and found a new job and rented a small room away from previous address and have heard nothing since but fault on my part I've also done nothing about paying any money back. I've been using a very basic cash-card bank account for about 2 years which is limiting. At the start of this year I meet the most wonderful partner in life and now I want to rebuild my life with her and face my debt as my partner is very strong and will stand by me. I'm a proud man and it's taken a lot to admit to my partner and myself that this ever took place.

Although I really want to sort my finances out the problem is I don't know how to find out who I owe, how much I owe them or how to rebuild things.... I need to repay who I owe and rebuild my life and to do this I need to know where to start.

Can anyone help me please ?

Dave101t

if you owe anybody money, they will soon find you, sit back, relax and wait for the knocks at the door.

Ames

I'm in a similar position. I have serious mental health problems and ran up debt. I've not heard anything from most of them for a few years. I'm putting money aside each month so that when they catch up with me I can make full and final settlements.

talana

Although I really want to sort my finances out the problem is I don't know how to find out who I owe, how much I owe them or how to rebuild things.... I need to repay who I owe and rebuild my life and to do this I need to know where to start.
Can anyone help me please ?

Well to begin with you need to check your personal credit report. Debts and outstanding amounts should be listed on there.

in-a-muddle

Thanks Ames,

Good luck

in-a-muddle

How can I check my personal credit report.. I need to pay cash as I have no debt card just a cash card

talana

in-a-muddle wrote: »

How can I check my personal credit report.. I need to pay cash as I have no debt card just a cash card

Free trial from Experian or Equifax? you'll have to remember to cancel it in time to avoid being charged.
http://www.experian.co.uk/
http://www.equifax.co.uk/

Ames

I really wouldn't check your credit rating, if you do it might draw them out of the woodwork.

talana

Ames wrote: »

I really wouldn't check your credit rating, if you do it might draw them out of the woodwork.

The OP says he wants to face up to his debts and repay....and good for him.
This is the way to find them. You might say he wants to draw them out of the woodwork.

And besides, I don't follow your reasoning. How would checking your own credit file draw them out?

Ames

I just think it's better to repay on your own terms, not the banks. So by waiting and saving you can make full and finals that are good deals. It also means less negotiating with them and so it's less stressful than having to get them to agree to a payment rate, then deal with them trying to increase it every few months till it's paid off.

If you check your own credit file it's marked as active, and that your addresses are the right ones. And so when the DCA's do their sweeps it tells them who to chase. I'm not 100% sure on how it works, but I know there has been many instances on here of it happening.

fatbelly

Ames wrote: »

I really wouldn't check your credit rating, if you do it might draw them out of the woodwork.

Dave101t wrote: »

if you owe anybody money, they will soon find you, sit back, relax and wait for the knocks at the door.

I agree with you guys. Except, Dave, it won't be knocks at the door. It will be letters.

Start saving. When (if) they contact you, come on here for advice re full & final settlement. If they can prove liability of course. Remember they've probably changed hands a few times and the current owners will have paid a few pence in the pound for them.

It would be a shame to dig these old accounts up and get harrassed by them when they are going to go statute barred in a couple of years.