Help!

Mrs_Brassic

Hello, as you can see I'm new to this, I have been reading the posts on this site for the past couple of weeks and have realised that a DMP seems to be the way forward for me. By coming on this site and realising how many people are in the same boat as me and have managed to do something about it I have gained great comfort and am actually feeling very positive for the first time in a very long time. My debts have spiralled out of control and it is now time to take action as I cannot afford to continue. I have a couple of questions and would be grateful for some advice. I was going to try and sort my own DMP but am wondering is this the right thing to do or would I be taken more seriously if I were to ask a company to do this for me? also are proof of earnings requested during the process? I do have many questions but these two are a start. I look forward to your comments.:)

bottleofred

Hi Mrs Brassic and welcome to the forum,

A dmp through the consumer credit counselling service or with another non fee charging company would be adviseable. I sent details of earnings etc to all my creditors, but don't think I sent anything to the cccs regarding income/expenditure. You can self manage if you wish, but I'd advise you go with these guys initially. Please don't be tempted to go with a fee charging company as they'll make plenty of promises, but do essentially the same thing as the non fee charging organisations.

Good luck

Red

Mrs_Brassic

Thanks Red for replying really helpful i will contact them in the next few days. I realise this will take time but I can't actually meet my min payments any more and was going to ring my creditors and let them know what I'm doing and that I would be paying a reduced payment in the meantime, what do you think?

RAS

Are any of your debts owed to the company with which you bank or an associated company.

If so, you must get a new basic bank account before you say anything to your creditors.

Mrs_Brassic

None of my debts are owed to my bank but I do have direct debits set up for min payments to some of my creditors, I was going to cancel these should I tell them that I'm doing this and should I pay them a lesser amount?

bottleofred

I suggest you communicate with them only in writing at all times and ask them to do the same with you, as you could get an awful lot of calls and letters very quickly. Unless you are firm with them, they will harass you lots throughout the day and will make all kinds of threats (usually just up to but short of death) and while they can take you to court etc and put defaults on your credit file, usually don't do much more than that. The letter below is for the telephone harassment. If you need any more support/help just come back onto the forum and you'll always get some.
Dear Sirs,

Account No: XXXXXXXX

I am writing in relation to the quantity and frequency of telephone calls that I have received from your company, which I deem to be personally harassing. I have verbally requested that these stop, but I am still receiving calls and I now require all further correspondence from your company to be made in writing only. I am of the view that your continued harassment of me by telephone puts you in breach of Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Communications Act (2003) s.127 and I will report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and The Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable to a substantial fine. Be advised that any further telephone calls from your company may be recorded and used in evidence and I expect this harassment to cease immediately.

Yours faithfully


Good luck

Red