When the Banks drag their feet.....help

cally_2

Newbie here
Sorry this may have been posted several times but there is a lot of info on these forums and is sometimes difficult to find. Anyway here goes

After being made unemployed I am left with 3 debts, a personal loan, credit card and a overdraft. I took advice from CAB and did a Budget planner and sent it to all 3 creditors offering to pay a set amount to each pro rata. One agreed but the other 2 keep giving me the run around. No amount of phoning and letter writing seems to be getting me any where. They have never actually stated that they do not accept my Plan but just keep sending letters offering to extend the loan for amounts that I still cannot afford. If you phone these people you have to explain your circumstances and they never have the required details to hand
Any tips on how I can make these people respond to my Budget Plan, of which they must by now have a dozen copies each. I just keep getting letters stating that I've been charged £50 (again) because they have written, I have tried registered post and mentioning the banking ombudsman but they still act as though there has been no mention of me offering the pro rata payment.

wicked_witch_2

Hi,

first of all were you made redundant, if so have a look and see if you are covered by any insurance you have been paying for your loan and credit card.
What ever you do, don't extend the loan.
Next you could start reclaiming back any penalty charges they have applied to your account, definately applies to the £50 per letter!
Next try the cccs, excellent service and free, never ever ever pay a company to sort out your debts as you will be in a worse situation.
Also try not to phone them, always write and send recorded delivery as you are doing, it's best to have a paper trail in these cases.
Send them a letter just explaining your situation and ask them to freeze the interest, they normally agree to this initially for 3 months, may give you a bit of space to breathe.
Hope this helps, let me know how you are getting on

xx

cally_2

Hi Wicked Witch, thanks but I'm afraid the no job is my own fault, got cheesed off with everything back in the summer and basically gave notice at my rented flat, packed in the job and went to the USA to try things out for 3 months. Of course with so little preparation it's backfired a bit and now I'm back here staying with family, no savings, no assets and on job seekers allowance.
I have stuck with not giving them a phone number as my family aren't even happy about letters coming to their address! Worried about bad credit if it doesn't get sorted properly. My problem is that the banks are not aknowledging that I'm writing with the pro rata offer. I did also ask about them freezing interest etc. but the reply was that I have a debt so that is not possible!!
Now they have an address they keep sending out letters requesting payments way over what I even get on job seekers, as though they have no knowledge of the letters I've written. Which is of course rubbish as they would not have my address without them. I have suggested to 1 bank that if they continue I may ask the ombudsman to assess my request, but they still continue to send unrelated letters asking for funds. These letters are coming from various people too, which I've also pointed out to them, as there is no co-ordination between everyone. It is just getting incredibly frustrating and my family are getting stressed at the lack of progress.
xx

tom188

The banks dont have to accept your offer, you owe then THEIR money you know.

wicked_witch_2

Hi Cally,

I would contact cccs as soon as possible, they are friendly and very helpful and will be able to advise you as to the next step.

As for Tom188's comment regarding owing the bank their money, this is blatenly obvious and it would be better to offer helpful advice without judgement please, I'm sure we have all been in a position where we have needed advice and not judgement.

Best wishes to you Cally

X