We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

what is attitude of mbna to people in debt?and mental health

hello

i am in complete mess with money, I have received letter from MBNA as am 2 mnth in arrear with cc payment what are they like to deal with I am getting calls from them but too frightened to answer.I have mental health condition and have been very ill. My mental health team are aware but do not help me, they more interested in making sure i eat!
I am in despair and cannot see a way out.

Thankyou for any help

Comments

  • Hello frecklyminx. Welcome,sorry to hear you are having issues with your health,I cant help with MBNAs attitude to that but I can tell you that they were fairly easy to deal with. After I got behind with my cc payments they of course rang me asking for payment. I was in the process of setting up a dmp at the time and told them so. They actually offered to work out their own payment plan with me but I decided not to as I had other creditors going into my dmp and told them this would be unfair. They were fine,said they would put a restriction on the account and left it until cccs contacted them.They have accepted lower payments and frozen interest and stopped charges.So I guess what Im saying is dont be afraid to speak to them on the phone as they will try to help you. This is my experience of them anyway and it was all good!!Hope that puts your mind at rest a bit.
  • Jemima09
    Jemima09 Posts: 179 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Debt-free and Proud!
    I've also had a really positive experience with them since going onto my DMP.. They froze my interest immediately and I've never heard from them since, whereas another of my credit cards only freezes it for 6 months at a time, and when it goes back on it's at more than the rate I'm paying off!!
    I don't even remember being chased much from them before the DMP kicked in, I think if you're honest with them they can be quite helpful!
    Debt Free and Very Very Proud! - DMP mutual support member 315
    Debts at May 09 (LBM) £20,675 : Dec 13 £ZERO!
  • MauiJim
    MauiJim Posts: 47 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi Like you I had ill health and not only surgery but mental problems. I had MBNA and they were poor at helping me. Honestly they didn't know how to deal with problem, i get one letter from them and letter from other MBNA place. They did not know who they were talking to and so I was very angry. I finally had letter asking for letter from mental health doctor but it also had lots of very personal news and doctor said he would not supply it. He wrote them saying leave this man alone but they never listen. I get regular letters from them but no more phones. I change my number and peace of mind is so worth it.

    Spend your time getting better, get advice from CCCS and listen to it. Good luck
  • hello
    thankyou so much for advice i feel much more confident about speaking to them, i will call them on monday and explain situation. i see my doctor next week too and will ask him to supply letter for all my creditors. wow i never thought a simple post would give me this sense of relief I have cried!! Thankyou all.
  • Jinx
    Jinx Posts: 1,766 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Write to MBNA and tell them that you wish to communicate in writing only that you will not be responding to phone calls. Or you could answer and tell them not to phone but to write and/or dont answer the security questions.

    There is actually a template letter for this, do a wee search of this forum, it talks about reporting them to the proper authorities if they dont comply.

    I took the easy option when I started my DMP, i changed my number(some companies will do it for free) - it made life much less anxious and I communicated throughout the years of my DMP by letter only.

    Please try to remember it is only money and they cannot have what you do not....... Not easy I know, but while you are doing your best and communicating there is not a whole lot they can do.

    Good luck :)
    Light Bulb Moment - 11th Nov 2004 - Debt Free Day - 25th Mar 2011 :j
  • I recently started on a DMP and MBNA were the first company I contacted, I was amazed and surprised that they were very, very helpful and understanding. They froze interest and charges, accepted my pro rata payment amount and I've not been chased since. You may need to speak to them once or twice, but after that they will probably only contact you by letter.
  • Hi everyone,

    have contacted MBNA and the guy was really great.they going to stop int/chgs and accepted a token payment until i sort cccs.I feel so relieved. So onwards and I WILL be debt free.... ok i might be 70 before that happens but I will try to be only 55........thanks allx
  • sickasachip13
    sickasachip13 Posts: 1,190 Forumite
    Well done for making that step - it is really hard plucking up the courage but, in my experience so far, the creditors have actually been fine to deal with on the phone. They can't take what you haven't got after all and an awful lot of folk have mental health challenges too.

    Give yourself a pat on the back for getting in touch with them and sorting it out.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.