First Posting on DFW and need advice re: Halifax

moonlightpjs

Hi everyone
Not sure where to start but here goes:- started a DMP with CCCS 3 months ago and seem to be managing ok but when starting the DMp I had an account with the Halifax with a very large overdraft but didn't include with DMP as we were practically living off it and didn't think I could get another bank account.
Anyway, my husband was off sick for a while and I went over my overdraft limit (Yes, I know I'm stupid!!!!) to the tune of approx £1000, another £900 has been added in charges. My account was suspended so had no money at all as all money was paid into that account. So we stopped money going in and the Halifax has been really nasty and last week called me a thief, had me in tears on numerous occassions so I phoned the CCCS and they agreed to include the Halifax in our DMP. Have opened a new basic account so we can have access to our money but am really scared the Halifax are going to send the police round - because I did, in effect, spend money that wasn't mine.

I'm not sure if the Halifax know about the DMP yet but received a letter from them this morning which was practically a letter agreeing for me to pay the amount that is over my overdraft limit by 18 Dec. I never agreed to this so am not sure what is going on.

Also, have a credit card with Halifax but can't include this in our DMP as agreed not to incure any more debts (STUPID, STUPID STUPID WOMAN) so not sure how to go about paying it back as can't afford the payments they want.

Have started a claim to get back charges from Halifax but don't think I have a leg to stand on as I owe them such a large amount of money.

Any advice would be very, very much appreciated . Thanks in advance.

Sorry, another bit - the man at the CCCS said if we didn't own our house he would advise making ourselves BR - does that mean we are in a real mess, more than we thought we were. I thought we'd done the right thing - taking control and starting a DMP but now am not sure .

lyric_grace

Hi wellar,
Welcome to DFW, the first step is to post a SOA so we can all help you with handy hints and tips for saving money. I'm not that experienced myself but there are lots of very kind friendly people on here who are so the sooner you do your SOA the sooner we can all help! Lyric x

moonlightpjs

Sorry, am new to this and don't know what one is !!

sanfrancisco

I would recommend being TOTALLY honest with CCCS. WHy have thye said you can't include anymore debts with them? Is this CC the last debt you have not included? The reason you didn't tell them everything 3 months ago is probably because you did not understand fully. You do a budget with them and whatever is left gets distributed around the debts. They will leave you enough to eat etc.

Having said all this...these guys (CCCS) really know what they are talking about and maybe BR might be the best option for you? As poster above says if you post a SOA (Statement of Affairs), see here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280, we will all be able to advise you what will be the best thng to do. It is best to be honest. There are some real experts here who will instantly be able to see what is best for you. Don't worry, you will get through this.

Kazonline

Hi Weller, if you have a look at this thread it explains about the SOA.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280
I'm no use with the advice I'm afraid, but I'm sure you'll get lots of friendly support and advice from those with more knowledge on here.
Best wishes,
Kaz x

madduck

Hi Weller

You really, really have to be honest with CCCS and disclose all of your debts. You are doing yourself no favours and only getting deeper and deeper into the brown sticky stuff. I'm not judging you, been in the same place as you a couple of years ago.

CCCS won't judge you. They are there to help you. When I first contacted them I thought that they would criticise me and think that I was totally reckless and stupid. But they were great.

I'm also sure that there is something in your agreement with CCCS to the effect that you won't take on further debt whilst on the DMP.

Morglin

Go to the CCCS and tell them it all - they won't judge you, they will help you.

Meanwhile, inform Halifax that you are seeking advice, and in the meantime agree to nothing with them - let them wait.;)

Also tell them that if they persist in harassing you and upsetting you, then you will take the matter up with their regulators - financial institutions have to abide by their own controls.

They won't send the police round - this is a civil matter, not a police matter. if everyone that exceeded their overdraft limit was reported to the police, the courts would be knee-deep .....;)

£900 charges seems way OTT - there's a forum on here about getting refunds of bank charges - have a look at that.

But, as I said, the only way places like CCCS can help is if you tell them the lot.

After that, tell Halifax that you are not discussing anything further with them on the phone, to put everything in writing and then CCCS can advise you of the response you should be making.

Personally, I'd get an answer-phone and not take Halifax calls, so that they HAD to put things in writing.:eek:

moonlightpjs

madduck wrote:

Hi Weller

You really, really have to be honest with CCCS and disclose all of your debts. You are doing yourself no favours and only getting deeper and deeper into the brown sticky stuff. I'm not judging you, been in the same place as you a couple of years ago.

CCCS won't judge you. They are there to help you. When I first contacted them I thought that they would criticise me and think that I was totally reckless and stupid. But they were great.

I'm also sure that there is something in your agreement with CCCS to the effect that you won't take on further debt whilst on the DMP.

Thanks for that - you are right I did agree not to take on any more debt but as I was still using the CC I didn't include it - I know I'm stupid. When I called the CCCS they said the Halifax O/D was the last debt I could add so i can't call them to add the CC. Don't know whether just to inform the CC that I am in finanical difficulties and in a DMP and just ask to make reduced payments. Any advice much appreciated.

Morglin

You could call them, but it might be better to ask the CCCS what they recommend you to do.

Although they can't add any more, they will probably know the best way for you to approach the CC company.

Other than that, tell the CC company what you are doing, offer them what you can afford, and tell them that it's pointless you promising any more/them insisting on any more, as you cannot pay any more.

Follow it up in writing - and insist on written responses.

Don't let them bully you - these firms always try it on. :mad:

But, ask CCCS first.

madduck

The other reason you have to be honest with all of this is the way that Halifax are connected with all of the threads. If you don't tell CCCS about the credit card and Halifax get the DMP re your overdraft - but then still see you making other payments to them re a credit card which isn't covered by the DMP - don't you think that they will either think that you are manipulating the DMP or (call me a cynic) use this against you and try to get more money out of you?

Broken_hearted

Halifax are a nightmare to deal with, in the end I had to not pay them anything for months before they would send us to a DCA. Before that we were on an agreement to pay £20 and they were adding £40-£70 a month in interest. They phoned 10's of times a day and lied like there was no tomorrow. Now the DCA is getting £5 a month and will be the last bill paid off. Not because they are the largest but because they are a bunch of .....