Sorting ourselves out - finally!

Magi74

We're (wife and I) are getting ourselves organised to go onto a DMP - we're not in a bad place, but we need the space that a DMP will provide to get rid of the debt once and for all. I think it works out that we can cover around 65% of the normal payments, so that part is fine.

To make our problem more complex, we have both been victims of ID fraud. There's been loads of credit searches in the past 6 months and, to make things even tougher, we've had our bank accounts/credit cards hit for every penny on more than one occasion - about £6-8,000 overall. We've had most of it back, but that has just added to the overall stress of the past few months. It's had a serious impact on my wifes health, and if I'm honest I'm just about holding it together.

Still - we keep fighting. I've always loved visiting this site (and posted fairly often some time ago), so I know this is the best place to get through our issues. But I do have one problem to solve:

Since we need a new bank account and we've been hit for ID fraud it makes sence to just open a basic account. However, is our ID fraud problems going to impact on this? We've been to Barclays to open up an account and it got pushed to referral (not surprising given the state of our files). Can this application fail? What would be our next move if it did? It's this stress that neither of us need at the moment.....

NeverAgain_2

Seems to me your approach to the new bank is entirely reasonable, provided you don't want an overdraft.

"I have had problems with ID theft at Barclays, and I'm never going to be entirely confident of that account, so I need a new one."

Angyles

I suffered with ID Theft while with Halifax twice. At my LBM I opened a Basic Account with Barclays, it was accepted straight away in branch even though I was open and honest about the mess I was in. Have had no issues since I have been with them.

Magi74

Sigh....

Barclay's doesn't want to help it seems. We started the application process on Saturday and were going in on Thursday to finish things off. She had to phone up to change the appointment time and was told that they couldn't help,....and then they hung up!

I don't want an overdraft...i'm not particuarly bothered about having a debit card. I just want an account that I can get everything set up to get my DMP off the ground. Got a form through from RBS that suggests that an account is available for us...how much do you want to bet it's a standard application form and "we just need to perform a credit check....oh sorry..."

I have to keep reminding myself that we're the victims of ID frauds - the banks just don't want the hassle it seems. We're even eyeing up these managed accounts just to get going.

So I'm officially having a stressful day!!! :mad:

DevonGirl

Hi Magi

Sorry to hear you've been having a stressful day, so big hug :grouphug: and welcome to the forum.

I know nothing about identity fraud, but can point you in the direction of the following websites if you haven't already visited them:

First, Martin's guide to Basic Bank Accounts :money:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

Secondly, an easy to use guide to all basic bank accounts and the exact specifics of each one.
http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/_assets/downloads/pdfs/your_money/a5_guides/basic_bank_accounts.pdf

Sorry I can't help with the ID bits and pieces but hopefully the above might help.
Best wishes
DG

Oh just to add - I presume you know not to open an account with a creditor as they may take your money to offset your debt.

I have a basic bank account with RBS - they tried to get me to open a standard current account but I refused. They checked out my ID/ address etc, but did NOT perform a credit check as the basic account doesn't come with an overdraft so there was no need - perhaps the same would apply with all banks and their basic accounts (although not sure what happens with those basic accounts that offer a small 'buffer zone'...)

Magi74

Thanks DG - I'll see your hug and raise you a beer. Cheers! :beer:

We had an application with Natwest going through - whilst they had decided to decline me, they hadn't decided to look at their basic account ("step account"). We've now asked them to look at that as an option and they're 99% certain (this was all over the phone) that we can get their basic account. Between that and the RBS application that we've got ongoing... well here's hoping that one of them will come through and we can start the DMP process properly.

I knew about not having a bank account with one of the creditors - my wife has a current account with Halifax, but that's not an option as I have an old account with them as well that we thought was closed down. We got hit with ID fraud for just over £200 in Feb (thus going OD) and the bank gleefully decided to charge me £5 a day for a few months - then decided to tell me about the problem! :mad:

Just been signed off work due to stress...didn't really put up much of a fight if I'm honest! Still we keep fighting - we'll all win this battle in the end!

beabea81

I don't have any constructive advice but I just wanted to say that your outlook, on what must have an awful time for you both, is inspiring and motivating. I truly wish you both a lots of luck for now and the future x x

Magi74

beabea81 wrote: »

I don't have any constructive advice but I just wanted to say that your outlook, on what must have an awful time for you both, is inspiring and motivating. I truly wish you both a lots of luck for now and the future x x

... and it's thoughts like this that give us the strength to keep going when all hope is fading - thank you.

The biggest thing I take from this forum is this - we're not the first the feel like this or be in a situation like this. Sadly I (well we) won't be the last either. All we can do therefore is support the people that come here, both emotionally and in practical advice.

The government says that "we're all in this together" - might not be a complete truth, but on this board that statement is 100% true!