Help - DMP

madduck

I've been on a DMP with CCCS for a couple of years. Went through hell for the first couple of months with nasty calls from creditors. Coincided with the death of a close relative. They took their own life due in part to the stress of debt.

I really thought that things had settled down. I'm paying back what I can afford, not got much money, but at least the amount of money I owe each year is going down. First time that has happened in my adult life!

Then I got a letter this morning to call one of my nastier creditors. I did and they said that my temporary payment arrangement was up at the end of the month - was I able to pay full amount now. I explained (again) that they knew that I was on a DMP with CCCS. I had had a review a couple of months ago and that I was paying all that I could afford. They claim that they didn't receive anything following the CCCS review ( I know that they will have - but always claim that they didn't - was the same when CCCS first started to pay them. They used to have me in tears saying that they hadn't received the money). I said that I would ask CCCS to send the paperwork to them again.

The nasty piece of work that I spoke to said that they would assume that the amount that I would be paying would be increasing? I said that it wasn't. I hadn't had a pay increase this year and that with no extra money coming in, I couldn't afford to pay any more.

They said then that it was unlikely that they would accept the situation. It was normal that on a DMP that they would be looking for increases on an annual basis. If that was the case I would need to speak to CCCS to discuss what other options that I had.

I asked what they meant. I was looking for a way to pay off all the money that I owed, that was why I was on a DMP. I wasn't running away from my debts. Was I being threatened by court action? I said that as far as I was aware, if I was taken to court by them the court would look at what I could afford to pay - and that this was what I was actually paying to CCCS.

The discussion went on for a while and I found myself getting a bit anxious (I'm seriously ill at the moment, so it doesn't really help). I said to them that I would get CCCS to send them the documentation again. I also requested that any follow up communication take place with CCCS as I'd given authority previously for CCCS to deal with the matter. (I was fairly sure that FSA or other regulations say that creditors cannot unreasonably refuse to deal with organisations dealing with debt on my behalf - is that right?) The individual I spoke to said that they wouldn't do that as the debt is mine and that they will only deal with me. (Basically - I owe them so they own me!)

I called CCCS to ask them to send out the paperwork to the company again and whilst I was on the phone I asked them for some advice. The woman that I spoke to told me not to worry too much. I was paying all that I could afford and if I didn't have any more, I couldn't pay any more. She said that if the company were making these kind of noises it was likely that they would sell the debt on and the company that they sold it to would be more likely to accept the DMP. Bit confused though. I've been on the DMP for nearly 2 and a half years. If they were going to sell on, why not do it earlier?

Getting myself really worked up about this now. Probably because I'm not too well, it is approaching the anniversary of the death of my relative who died and it is still really raw. To be honest, there have been times that I've thought about resolving things in the same way that she did, but I couldn't do that to my mother who has been through so much over the last couple of years. Just can't stand the thought of going through that cycle of calls, letters, threats, demands, etc.

Can anyone suggest anything, provide any advice?

Many thanks

lynzpower

the reason why they havent done it earlier, I woud suggest is that they sell it for a tiny fraction of the value to the DCAs. therefore they want to see if you will give them more than what the DCAs will pay for the debt.

Its just a guess though, but that would be my feeling

madduck

It just seems strange timing. Although I'm not paying the full amount that I would have been if it hadn't been for the DMP, it isn't really a token amount either - about 65% of what the full amount would have been.

I've also got a car loan that will be paid off next year thereby increasing the amount available for my dmp by nearly half as much again. Also, there is a secured loan that is repaid fully the next year, increasing it even further, by that time it will nearly be full payment level.

Just seems strange?

FieryBlondeScot

hi i have been on a dmp with them for over a year now, i wouldnt worry too much if i was you. from time to time i still get the odd call, or if i call any creditors, say to check the balance, they always try to pressure you by saying 'you know you are in arrears are you able to make a payment today? i just smile to myself and say you can see im with cccs so clearly im not able to make a payment today. if they request an updated budget or a budget review just say you do that through cccs and they will inform you if my circumstances change.

seriously the fact that you are with cccs is a comfort and if they say not to worry dont worry. things do get better, i have a way to go before i hit that debt free date, but by following the tips on this site i am much more in control than i ever was.