Not impressed by CCCS

BargainHunterCat

I recently contacted CCCS & was promised a telephone interview & email info pack.

Firstly the info pack never arrived. Fortunately, being an organised person, I was able to supply all the info they wanted during the telephone interview almost off the top of my head.

My debt is displayed below.

They advised me to seriously consider bankrupcy and scared the pants off me about how I'd basically be harrassed by debt collectors for the next 10 years if I didn't.

I then went to see my friend who is legal executive, he was not impressed & said there is no way I need to consider bankrupcy & that I should be able to work something out with my creditors.

Next, I went to see my friend who is an accountant. She said there is no way I need to go bankrupt & told me about the other arrangements you can sort out through the court if necessary.

I'm very glad I spoke to my knowledgable pals first and didn't just file for bakrupcy because CCCS did not tell me about all the possible repercussions that my legal exec pal has now warned me about. CCCS seemed to think it was a good option - a clean slate!!! (Clean, my foot...)

I'm not very happy with them and I would advise caution to anybody considering bankrupcy.

Lastly, they promised to post me a pack of info & template letters to use with my creditors - which to date I have not received.

I was told to cancel all my DDs and send token payments to my creditors which in hindsight was a mistake because I've now incurred charges. I should have spoken to them first.

My accountant pal said I'd be much better off telephoning my creditors to explain the situation & see if I can come to some arrangement first given my negotiation skills, excellent credit history and the fact I'll be back in a decent job soon, rather than blindly firing off a generic letter offering them £1 which they're hardly going to react well to!!!

What experiences have you had with the credit advice people? Was I just unlucky or am I being too harsh?

I don't appreciate half-baked advice when it comes to my life and my finances!!

(In case you're wondering, I didn't talk to my friends first because I was too ashamed)

LittleL_4

I think in every job there are good ins and bad ins. Maybe you have been ill-advised but TBH I have found them a godsend.
I think the point of the generic letter is to let them know you have taken action and are intending to pay your debts but are struggling. Yes the token payments will irk them but at least they know you haven't disappeared off the face of the earth.
Why don't you ask for a 2nd opinion (possibly speak to someone else at cccs) and the outcome may be different
Sorry I really dunno waht to say but I can't fault them

L
x

pink_girl

Oh no, how horrible. I have just contacted them and was told to cancel all my dd's but i have decided not too and just carry on struggling as im not behind on my payments yet, just finding it harder to meet them.
I hope it all works out for you.

kickingkay

im with the cccs and found them fantastic, they are a very over worked but i have always found they answer my emails great i was advised in the offset to offer £1.00 token as my finances were not up to payments after all anything is better than nothing,
in all fairness very few companies will freeze % irrespective of your fantastic credit rating and very few will accept your offers after all they loan you money to make money, they are not your friends, im not saying none will just take the advise you have been given as advise its is still your choice to do what you want, maybe if your friends have some great advise you could share they might have tips we dont know about,
i will explain my situation, im highly in debt (see my tag) i have had my DMP since jan 2006, i still battle regulary with 2 of my creditors out of 8? they have always added % charges etc to my accounts and have been a complete wall of help, cccs gave me the strength to face these companies and stand my ground with out their help i might have caved in and ended it all,
i think everyone is capable of ginving good and bad advise based on how someone interpets it, you can always ask fpr a 2nd opinion or try another debt advise line
good luck
kk

BargainHunterCat

Thanks for your replies.

Maybe I was unlucky or maybe we need to bear in mind that being a charity they can't afford to have staff trained to know how to handle every individual case in detail & only give generic advice which may be great if you're really in the doodoo with debt, but over the top if you're not & just don't know what to do!

Anyhoo, caution is my advice!!

Zulu_Dawn

HI BHC

I would say I've had a mixed experience. When I first spoke to them, they were very helpful and put my mind at ease. The interview and preparation of the SOA was also useful.

In the event I decided to do a self-administered DMP. My belief is that these things are just too important to give to someone else. I'm really glad I did as to negotiate past all these creditors has taken time, effort and a degree of flexibility and knowledge that only I really had. However the negotiations were made easier by having a CCCS reference number and an SOA done by them.

Since then I have struggled to get hold of them a little. Lots of messages left and no-one getting back to me. Also not all of their advice was that useful. I spent ages trying to get a new bank account when I didn't nearly need to. I also told some creditors I was selling my house which was a huge tactical error. I should have been told that by CCCS . I also agree with you re token payments. You also can't show all your cards too quickly, you need to use practical negotiation skills and need some weapons.

In summary the most important advice I would give would be to communicate all the time, do everything you promise to do, be patient, don't worry and don't make your SOA a millstone that will detroy you. Oh and challenge your spending big time!!!

Good luck

ZD

BargainHunterCat

kickingkay wrote:

i
in all fairness very few companies will freeze % irrespective of your fantastic credit rating and very few will accept your offers after all they loan you money to make money, they are not your friends, im not saying none will just take the advise you have been given as advise its is still your choice to do what you want, maybe if your friends have some great advise you could share they might have tips we dont know about,

I'll let you know how I get on...watch this space!!

Zulu_Dawn

kickingkay wrote:

i will explain my situation, im highly in debt (see my tag) i have had my DMP since jan 2006, i still battle regulary with 2 of my creditors out of 8? kk

Hi KK

My siuation is not dissimilar to yours. I have managed to get interest frozen on all accounts so far by doing it myself. I would be intrigued to know which ones you have failed with and what percentage of the debt you are offering them.

I kept a little back in my SOA and when MBNA came on really heavy, I was able to offer them a little more than recommended to secure zero interest. I am paying them 1.7% of what I owe them and in exchange have had interest and charges frozen for 12m. My other creditors get around 0.6%.

I'm sure you've answered this before but did you consider an IVA?

Good luck

ZD

CLAPTON

as i said when you posted three days ago, its really imposible to advice without a full SoA.

kickingkay

BargainHunterCat wrote:

I'll let you know how I get on...watch this space!!

do!,
use the advise you have been given here and stand your ground find out what rights you have and they have dont be manipulated bullied or cornered but dont be mislead into thinking it is straightforward you may be able to pay your bills at the moment but in the event you cant you need to know what to do, inform all debtors of your situation be honest and use the national debt line calculator to work out what payments you can afford agree to 6 month reviews and a promise to raise payments when you can, they all want there money back but the minute they feel you cant pay they can go for the jugular and may well slam on charge after charge in the hope they will get something back or s h i t on you from a high, i wish you luck and the nouse to saty one step ahead and use this site for guidence
ps im not saying the cccs didnt give you bad advise but they are trained to give you the facts and in all reality some compainies (in extreme cases may use the threat and carry it out) will put a charge on your property but if you read up you will understand all the jargon bancrupcy isnt as bad as the stigma attatched it is based on the person in question and their situation there are lots on here who chose to and some that didnt but had to i am not in a position to so it wasnt an option
good luck
kk

BargainHunterCat

CLAPTON wrote:

as i said when you posted three days ago, its really imposible to advice without a full SoA.

CCCS had a full SOA from me!! We went through it at length!