Got MS and hounded for more money-please help!!

jilly-bean_2

Hi there,
Foolishly 6 years ago i borrowed £10k from Lombard Direct in my maiden name (was married at the time). Now divorced and part of divorce agreement i took this loan on solely an kept the house. The loan wasn't secured on my property-thankfully! But, since then i lost my job and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclorosis and due to this i claim Incapacity Benefit and cannot work.

The interest was frozen and the debt was forwarded to a debt recovery company 'Intrim Justicia' and an arrangement for a monthly amount of £15 was agreed. In 3 years, the payment has crept up to £20 monthly and now they are ringing me every 2 months demanding more money, getting nasty with me and threatening to take me to court. I just cannot afford to give them any more as i can only just manage on my benefit payment!!

Are they wrong to be literally harassing me to increase my payment? Is there any way out of all this for me?

Please help!!

Xbigman

This is a common problem. Debt collectors will chase anyone for money trying every trick in the book. They all bend every rule on harrassment to breaking point. The cure is to stand firm, work out a realistic budget and calculate what you can afford to pay. Then send them that information along with the payment you can afford. If they continue to call just keep repeating the same thing, that you are paying what you can afford.

If you post on the debt free wannabe board you will get more responces. You can also post an SOA (statement of affairs) there and everyone will help with suggestions how you could cut back.

Lastly. You might do better to work through a free debt management service like CCCS or citizens advice bureau.
Regards



X

Astaroth

Whilst you obviously have my sympathy for your situation at the end of the day you did take the loan out and agreed to make certain payments, then at your divorce you agreed to keep the loan.... whilst many on here will protest that PPI is a total waste of money if you had taken out the cover when you took the loan out then it would now have been paid off.

The likes of the CCCS are going to be your best bet... ultimately at the moment however the credit company are perfectly entitled to request you pay up to the amount agreed when you originally took out the loan as that is what you committed yourself to. If they do take the matter to court the court will judge what you are able to pay and set repayment on that basis.

Rafter

You sound like a perfect candidate for an IVA arranged through a CHARITY not a profit making company.

If £20 is all you can afford then get it formalised and then they can't keep calling you up. As long as you keep up payments you will be ok.

Given your health and benefits situation, even £20 may be more than is reasonable.

I suggest you contact CCCS or Payplan who are a non-profit making industry funded IVA arranger to see if they can help you and get this company to stop ringing you.

Good luck.

R.

Astaroth

I thought you had to have debts over a certain amount for an IVA? something like £15k?