DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 8

Hopelessly_Hopeful

BlushingRose wrote: »

We don't seem to have had any statements for a while (might just feel like it though).

Hi BR

Have you got folders set up yet? Can you check? It's really important to keep ontop of where you are at if the DMP is going to work.

HHx

sickasachip13

Some creditors stop sending statements when you're on a DMP, I think they are only required to send one annually. I've a couple who don't bother sending any anymore but I ring them monthly and check the balance - I wouldn't like anything to be going on without me knowing about it. Every month I also check all the balances, from all the creditors, against the CCCS online debt statement, to ensure everything tallies up.

I've been surprised a couple of times on the forum to see people say that they've been a DMP for a couple of years and they don't know how much is left to pay or that they've just heard from a creditor for the first time in ages and the amount left doesn't tally up.

Imho, even though we're on DMPs and are being aided in those through CCCS or Payplan, it's still our debts and it would be silly to feel so far removed from the problems that you don't keep on top of everything.

SAAC

Joyanne

Hi everyone, just need a bit of advice, I've received a letter from studios in house debt collection saying that they want £178 now and every 28 days until the debt is paid, if I don't pay they will take all necessary action to recover the debt in full. This could include enforcement through the courts or through a local agent who will call at my home.
Now I know that they can't call at my house without an appointment but still a worrying letter. Just wondered whether I need to send them a letter pointing out that I'm on a dmp, paying as much as I can afford, can't prioritise crediters and I will never make an appointment for them to call at my home, or do I just ignore it?
I'm only in month 2 of my dmp with cccs, so it's still early days but everyone else is on board so it was a bit of a shock even though I'd already had a letter from them saying due to a recent increase in my account they would not accept my dmp.
I emailed cccs about this yesterday but had no reply.
I must admit this letter has got me worrying. Any advice would be gratefully received.

sickasachip13

I would definitely write to them, setting out what you suggest above. I'd also bother CCCS for their advice too though - and say in the letter to the creditor that you're in ongoing contact with your DMP provider about the matter.

It is early days, so there will be a bit of to-ing and fro-ing before things settle down.

BTW, you do know you can get one of the CCCS advisors by putting a question in the sticky thread at the top of the DFW forum - it says something like - Struggling with debt? Ask a debt advisors a question (I had to go and look!)

SAAC

mallyash

Sounds like more bully boy tactics from another jumped up DCA. You can send a letter to them explaining your situation but this is CCCS 's job really as you are on a DMP with them. No doubt they will contact you soon enough regarding this. Just remember Creditors and their 'Fascist for hire' DCA play on creditors fears and lack of knowledge of common Law to try and squeeze more money out of you. Its very likely they will eventually accept your offer as its all you can afford( they cant have what you haven't got). Just stick to your guns and let these clowns blow off steam for a while.
You could also level the playing field and ask for CCA. If they don't supply this within 12 + 2 days you are well within your rights to stop payment until they do.
County court action is very un likely and if it did come to that based on your Common financial statement they would probably get a slap from the judge for being avaricious. The courts do not like being used as a debt collection service. I found this out only this month when Gnatwest's took my friend to court trying it on and I really enjoyed myself making them look stupid by exposing their incompetence and lies.:rotfl:

FloFlo

Do you have to put all your debts with the DMP? I need to sort out my finances as I owe way too much on credit cards and am using them to live at the moment but I am not behind with any payments currently. I would rather not have my mortgate, bank loan or overdraft involved in the dmp, is this possible?

BlushingRose

I'll have to check with Mr BR and see if he can access any statements online, if he can then no problem, but if not then I'll have to nag him to give everyone a ring. He really doesn't want to talk to anyone.

BlushingRose

FloFlo wrote: »

Do you have to put all your debts with the DMP? I need to sort out my finances as I owe way too much on credit cards and am using them to live at the moment but I am not behind with any payments currently. I would rather not have my mortgate, bank loan or overdraft involved in the dmp, is this possible?

Our mortgage isn't included as it's a priority debt and we're able to pay it.
I think it's all non-priority debts that can be put into a DMP but someone will be along soon to confirm, I'm sure.

Time_to_face_the_music

Everything is now set up for our DMP and it started on 1st Feb and we will make our first payment to CCCS on the 10th. Have already heard from MBNA who have accepted the payment offer and have dropped the interest to 3.4%. One down, nine to go.

Am a bit puzzled at a letter we received from CCCS yesterday saying that the Halifax have refused our offer because of recent spending on the account. But we don't have any debts with the Halifax, except our mortgage so no idea what is going on there and I will have to phone CCCS and find out.

Which brings me to the point of my message, why is it so difficult and so expensive to contact CCCS and why do they have an 0800 number for initial enquiries and then an 0845 number for clients? I don't get home from work until after they have closed and I used all my mobile credit in a call last week so I had to phone them from work one day this week. It took me 50 minutes of holding on the line to speak to someone and then another 20 minutes on the phone. I hope no-one is scrutinising the work phone bill or I will be in a even deeper mess than I am now :mad:

sickasachip13

Hi TTFTM

I don't have the answers I'm afraid, but I'm surprised at the time you have to wait. You can email CCCS too. You should raise this with one of the CCCS advisors (to be found in the sticky thread at the top of DFW forum) as it's not on if it's eating all your phone credit.

SAAC