I don't know where my debts are!

OAB

I have quite a few debts and I really don't know where they are. I don't talk to my mum and she is a bit of a lier, so can't believe her claims, which she said "baliffs had been round"

I don't talk to her no more and obviously used to live with her, but I have no idea where my debts have been moved onto. I obviously want to get myself back on tracnk, but I do not know where to start.

- I had a credit card with Natwest and that built up £600 of debt - now with collection agency (But I did try and sort a PP, but they didn't want any of it)
- A laptop debt (02 laptop & BB), which actually was my Mother's, but I had actually forgot about changing bank accounts over and that is also with a collection agency (£700)
- A student rent debt, which is also around £700 and I do not know where this is either.

As someone who is trying to have a big 'refresh' of life I need to try and sort out all of this ASAP. I keep having nightmares of baliffs taking everything.

dancingfairy

I have a couple of suggestions for you:
1) work out how much you have available for debt repayments each month
2) get copies of your credit report fomr all 3 agencies - equifax, experian and call credit - they cost 2 pounds each and you can get them online as well - just make sure if you sign up for a 'free' trial that you cancel in plenty of time otherwise it's not moneysaving
This will hopefully show the extent of your debts and by getting your file updated with your new address it will force your creditors out of the woodwork.
3) reason I suggested working out how much you had spare each month first is that it should be fairly obvious to you what sort of situation you are looking at before the creditors come knocking and if you know what you have to play with/offer them per month you can get off on the right foot and are less likely to be intimidated/threatened and agree to something you later find out you can't afford.

Depending on the age of the debts you could try full and final settlements - it's worth a shot anyway -keep everything in writing as debt collectors can be err economical with the truth/lie etc when it suits them and make sure you know eactly what terms of settlement you are agreeing to and that they promise a) not to chase you for the debt and b) not to sell the debt on - it's easy to get caught out on this one so be doubly sure.
Oh and you might wish to contact one of the debt charities to go through your options when you've got an idea of income v outgoings and how much you owe. Try National Debtline or CCCS or your local CAB but avoid fee paying, 'we can solve all your problems'/'write off your debts'/ ' little known governement legislation' type companies like the plague - a) because you can get help for free and b) at least with a national debt charity there is some weight behind them and they are impartial whereas with a commerical/private debt company you don't know how much they want to help and how much money is in it for them
df

dancingfairy

Oh and don't worry unduly about bailiffs - a lot of it is hot air- empty threats to employ bailiffs - they have to take you to court first for that, otherwise it is just a debt collector (ie a jumped up version of a paperboy with no more rights )
There are loads of great factsheets and info on the National Debtline's website - I'm sure they have one on bailiffs - what to do and what not to do if they did make an appearance.
knowlege is power - to be forearmed etc.
df

OAB

Thank you.

Noted