Absolute Nightmare

JDC14

hallowitch wrote: »

5. Orange - Outstanding debt, from years ago. Wasn't aware of it personally, think it may be to do with an issue of them charging where they shouldn't have done, then nobody contacting each other about it after we queried and when they didn't give in straight away, mum must've hoped it'd go away. So I'll get onto them myself as I have another account with them for my phone.


If there hasn't been a payment to this debt in 6 years it could be statute barred I'm not sure how exactly how it works (others will know) but find out before you do anything with this debt

most gambling sites (bingo poker ect) have a function to self Bar yourself

Not sure if its quite 6 years but I will look into it.

RE: The Gambling sites, I'd rather block the website. Don't want the temptation factor to be there for her at all.

RAS

hallowitch wrote: »

5. Orange - Outstanding debt, from years ago. Wasn't aware of it personally, think it may be to do with an issue of them charging where they shouldn't have done, then nobody contacting each other about it after we queried and when they didn't give in straight away, mum must've hoped it'd go away. So I'll get onto them myself as I have another account with them for my phone.


If there hasn't been a payment to this debt in 6 years it could be statute barred I'm not sure how exactly how it works (others will know) but

Could well be statute barred; as long as there was a full 6 year period when mum did not pay of acknowledge the debt in writing.

OP, any chance of getting mum's credit records (all three) for £2 each. That would show whether this debt is still on her credit record.

JDC14

This whole thing has reared it's head again.

Being the youngest, and still in education, I was left with the impression this was being sorted, by my family, when in reality, it really hasn't been.
To make things worse, I'm currently in with the GP, who's not entirely sure whats wrong with me (being 19, not a great position) but believes its very likely to be stress related... So here's the update;

1. Mortgage - Still being paid by my sister, on time, every month, so we've not heard from them.
2. Orange/BT - As far as we're aware we've not heard from them since the last time.
3. Gas/Electric - Electric still on meter, so still owe them nothing. Gas, wouldn't take the lower payments with a DD on the side, then tried to force me into making a DD. I told them I'm not liable for the debt and was just attempting to mediate a deal (as they'd approved at the beginning of the call) and suddenly they were playing dumb, so nothing got done there.
4. Council Tax - This is a bleeping nightmare to be honest. I've had several copies of letters from college to confirm I'm in full time education, so they could be sent off, but regulations and forms etc. are all changing. Basically, between this and working tax credits and child tax credits etc. They're not interested because we're English and not seeking asylum.

There's now a CCJ against the property regarding an unpaid £800 council tax bill (which should probably be reduced as there will be an amount of it accountable to myself, despite still being in full-time education which they won't seem to accept).

She's now also receiving no help as she managed to get 16 hours work, the maximum job centre said she could get and still receive support, only to find out the cut off is actually 15 hours, 59 minutes. So she's at Sainsburys, earning roughly 5.5k per year, which is far from enough in our situation.

She's tried to submit another form to the council and they wanted £30 submitted with the form, but failed to tell her the fee is waived due to the fact she earns under £13k/annum - yet we didn't find that out until I was looking on google.

We're trying to sort it out, but apparently Bailiffs are on their way around at some point to collect the bill and it's really coming to the point of signing stuff over to me and my sisters so nothing can be taken.

There's only so much we can help with, but she can't seem to pull her head out of the sand and try and deal with it. Admittedly, she's in a horrible spiral that she simply cannot get out of, it's crazy.

Trying to claim back PPI, took her 2 months to let me order a credit report, so I'm dreading the arrival of that. All in all, a pretty f'ed up situation, especially for me and my sisters.

mytimetoshine2012

Hi JDC14,

I am so sorry to read of all of these problems you are encountering, it sounds like an absolute nightmare and it is no wonder that you are not well. I think you are doing really well to sort it out tbh.

I was wondering if you have been to the Citizens Advice Bureau to see if they can help. Your Mum sounds like she may be depressed to me, hardly surprising with a divorce and debt etc, it may be worth taking her to the GP's to be sure. If so there are some additional guidelines about the collection of debt that companies need to abide by. The CAB will also be able to help with referrals to other companies.

With regards to the council, what you are experiencing is not unusual...they don't know their a*se from their elbow. Just be persistant and put all correspndence in writing.

Hope you manage to get something sorted out soon.
MTTS

JDC14

mytimetoshine2012 wrote: »

Hi JDC14,

I am so sorry to read of all of these problems you are encountering, it sounds like an absolute nightmare and it is no wonder that you are not well. I think you are doing really well to sort it out tbh.

I was wondering if you have been to the Citizens Advice Bureau to see if they can help. Your Mum sounds like she may be depressed to me, hardly surprising with a divorce and debt etc, it may be worth taking her to the GP's to be sure. If so there are some additional guidelines about the collection of debt that companies need to abide by. The CAB will also be able to help with referrals to other companies.

With regards to the council, what you are experiencing is not unusual...they don't know their a*se from their elbow. Just be persistant and put all correspndence in writing.

Hope you manage to get something sorted out soon.
MTTS

Thanks for the reply. The doctors ruled out anything medically causing my symptoms, and possibly a low level of depression - brilliant (unfortunatley there's not a smilie appropriate to the face I'm pulling right now, but I guarantee it was amusing).

Anyways, - CAB wise, she went, she broke down in tears as they read to her from the internet what she's already read and were absolutely no help whatsoever.

She's just turned on the laptop for the first time since I've blocked the gambling websites she goes on, so I have a feeling this may cause an argument.

She's been to the GP regarding depression and they prescribed anti-depressents which really didn't help so, they've stopped and I'm not too sure on the situation there now.

We've literally just got no idea of our rights, where we should be going to get help/sorted, what payments will and won't be accepted (5.5k/annum to service thousands of pounds worth of debt, excl. the mortgage which my sister is paying) is really not enough.

DS4215

For the debts, speak to CCCS for advice. They are great and can usually help you to find a way forward.

somethingcorporate

I agree with the rest, speak to CCCS they are a charity specialising in helping those with debts.

Its not an easy situation to be in and it seems it is going to get worse before it gets better. If you don't have the income to service the debts there is no magic bullet unfortunately.

BlushingRose

PLEASE ring the CCCS - cccs.co.uk (0800 138 1111 - 8am - 8pm) and have a chat with them - they CAN help!!
Do it soon, and they will perhaps suggest a debt management plan to help sort things out.

RAS

I think some of this has got scrambled. And you are getting frightened for little reason.

I also think you all need mum to get some proper help so that the stress within the family is reduced. People are recommending CCCS who are brilliant but based on what you say about mum, CAP might be more useful. The main reason being that CCCS advice is by phone or electronic and CAP offer face to face help which might suit her better.

JDC14 wrote: »

4. Council Tax - This is a bleeping nightmare to be honest. I've had several copies of letters from college to confirm I'm in full time education, so they could be sent off, but regulations and forms etc. are all changing. Basically, between this and working tax credits and child tax credits etc. .

There's now a CCJ against the property regarding an unpaid £800 council tax bill (which should probably be reduced as there will be an amount of it accountable to myself, despite still being in full-time education which they won't seem to accept).

She's now also receiving no help as she managed to get 16 hours work, the maximum job centre said she could get and still receive support, only to find out the cut off is actually 15 hours, 59 minutes. So she's at Sainsburys, earning roughly 5.5k per year, which is far from enough in our situation.

She's tried to submit another form to the council and they wanted £30 submitted with the form, but failed to tell her the fee is waived due to the fact she earns under £13k/annum - yet we didn't find that out until I was looking on google.

We're trying to sort it out, but apparently Bailiffs are on their way around at some point to collect the bill and it's really coming to the point of signing stuff over to me and my sisters so nothing can be taken.

Let's take the CT problem. They do not take out CCJs for CT or secure them against the house (and if they had, bailiffs could not be involved). You are confusing a charging order (secured on the house) and a liability order issued by a magistrates court, which is the normal council action before bailiffs are instructed.

This happens to millions of people each year and the first thing you have to understand is that the bailiffs can do nothing as long as you are sensible.

You need to make sure that everyone in the house knows that they are not to open the door until they know who is the other side. Do not open the door to a bailiff. And keep all doors and windows locked. The bailiff will lie but has no right to enter the house.

Does mum have a car? If not, then there is nothing the bailiff can do if you keep the door shut. S/he will probably add illegal fees to the bill, but we can help with that. The legal fees total £42.50 for 2 visits.

Since mum should be getting benefits to reduce this liability, it may be a good idea if she goes to the next surgery offered by your local councillor and explains the problem. The councillor may well be able to get the debt called back until such time as the benefits are sorted out. They may even take the CT debt straight from mum's benefits (think it is about £3.50 a week).

The next priority is the WTC/CTC etc. Again CAP may be able to help her navigate her way through the bureaucracy.

So chin up and makes sure the windows are locked

pmlindyloo

JDC14 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. The doctors ruled out anything medically causing my symptoms, and possibly a low level of depression - brilliant (unfortunatley there's not a smilie appropriate to the face I'm pulling right now, but I guarantee it was amusing).

Anyways, - CAB wise, she went, she broke down in tears as they read to her from the internet what she's already read and were absolutely no help whatsoever.

She's just turned on the laptop for the first time since I've blocked the gambling websites she goes on, so I have a feeling this may cause an argument.

She's been to the GP regarding depression and they prescribed anti-depressents which really didn't help so, they've stopped and I'm not too sure on the situation there now.

We've literally just got no idea of our rights, where we should be going to get help/sorted, what payments will and won't be accepted (5.5k/annum to service thousands of pounds worth of debt, excl. the mortgage which my sister is paying) is really not enough.

This makes me very sad as it is obvious from what you have said that your mum needs help with lots of different matters and preferably in a face to face situation.

I wonder if your mum used a CAB which does employ a money specialist because it is a specialist that she needs if she goes to CAB. She may have to see a generalist advisor first but they should refer her on to a specialist. From what you have said she would meet the eligiblity criteria for this. Perhaps you need to look at the CAB website to find your nearest CAB with a money specialist.

Having said that your mum probably has lost faith in CAB,

I would therefor suggest that you go back to the link given and find the contact details for Christians Against Poverty who would be able to arrange a face to face visit. (The people involved run this because of their faith not necessarily for those of their faith) I have read good things about them.

You mum has multiple things which need addressing and it seems to me that they need to be addressed in a face to face meeting and sorted out in a systematic way.

PS (Edited) Sorry, crossed post with RAS.