OR interview worries

PippaGirl_2

It is my OR phone interview this Wednesday which will be one month after the BR and I've several worries. I have sent them things they have asked for, 12 months bank statements and credit card statements and a loan agreement.

My worries mainly are them scrutinising my statements and then saying to me "why did you buy that?"! etc. over several things. Mostly everything I have spent was necessary but some would think some items weren't. For instance I spent my DLA on a new freezer so I can have easy food or ready meals for the days I am too ill to get myself other food. That's the sort of thing.

Tbh I am terrified of the whole thing, I don't normally use the phone at all ever as it can induce panic attacks and high anxiety in me anyway, but am going to force myself to do this as this interview needs to be done. I'm wondering whether to take lorazepam beforehand but then I might not be able to concentrate and answer questions.

What sort of questions are asked? How intense is it? I think because I feel such shame that I am in this position anyway, this interview is going to be very traumatic for me and I'm not sure I will cope.

IF

Hi Pippa, It's nothing to worry about, so deep breaths, its just for the OR to get a feel why you went BR. Before the call just look through your 6.28/SOA so your familiar with what you have said. If you have not sent off your bank/credit statements have them to hand. The OR will just go through your 6.28/SOA with you. Also before the call have a big mug of tea ready or a bottle of water, and while they are writing things down you can have sips of tea/water, so you don't feel you have to fill in the pauses. And if you don’t know the answer to a question just say so. Do have a list with all questions ‘you’ want to ask.
Can last anything from half an hour to an hour and a half.


Arrowarra has written this thread.

Worried about your OR interview - Click here

Best wishes
If...x

PippaGirl_2

That's an interesting thread, people with the same worries as me and some good experiences and some not so good. What's a BRO?

I didn't realise I could have asked for a face to face interview instead, possibly might have been better for me given my problem with phones but then again I can't carry anything of weight so wouldn't be able to take these papers anywhere either.

I'm worried I will lose my car.

In fact, I'm just very very worried and can't wait for it to be over.

The only questions I can think of is can I have an email address for my named person at the IS in case I have any further information to provide or questions to ask (so I can avoid phones) and what is the likelihood on an ED which I know I cannot ask as they cannot say. Just wanting everything over really so I can start my life again.

IF

Here is info about a BRU/BRO

Bankruptcy Restriction Undertakings / Orders.

• Bankruptcy Restrictions Orders/Undertakings (IS)

If you do have a problem on the phone do say how you feel and you may need to stop the call then the OR will ring you back, they will understand.

Good question Pippa a lot of people forget to ask for the email address.

If...x

PippaGirl_2

That's interesting too. I'd been led to believe just from what I'd read that someone who has ever been BR cannot ever be a local councellor or be a school Governor etc. but that BRO/U info seems to imply that once you are discharged you can (unless you are under a BRO/U)?

Mouse1812

Don't worry about the freezer, I bought a new cooker prior to BR. Whilst never asked about the large item on CC bill I was quite happy to defend move - it was necessary, old one died and family needed to cook on something. Indeed I was not asked any questions about anything on the bank statements or cards, which did surprise me.

fermi

PippaGirl wrote: »

That's interesting too. I'd been led to believe just from what I'd read that someone who has ever been BR cannot ever be a local councellor or be a school Governor etc. but that BRO/U info seems to imply that once you are discharged you can (unless you are under a BRO/U)?

You can be a school governor or a local councillor. Even while you are undischarged.

The laws disqualifying you were repealed years ago.

As you say, it's a current BRO/U, and only that, which prevents you now.

fermi

Oh, and buying the freezer will be fine.

uptheanti

I am waiting for my interview date when i spoke to the or on the phone from the court he said i will prob need a face to face as i only have a mobile i don't have a land-line number and because of cutbacks they don't like calling mobiles i too am very nervous

debtinfo

you have to remember that what the OR is looking for is unusual habits, they may ask questions about individual items but dont worry if they do, i know its a cliche but if you have not done anything wrong then you dont have anything to worry about, remember i used to conduct these interviews. If they do ask you and youhave a good explanation then thats fine, its where you cant give a good explanation which they are looking for, for instance if you took £500 out the bank every friday that just happened to be next to a casino then that may send them wondering, but if purchases are just normal then again thats fine, everyone has to make purchases from time to time, even people in financial trouble, things do break down, people move, circumstances change, thats all just part of life, in fact if there were no purchases from a bank account the OR would be worried as they would probably think that that was not the bank account you were really using:)

dojoman

This was the part I was dreading the most and really worried about it. Honestly, if you are totally honest with the OR you will be fine. It was not anywhere near as bad as I had feared:)