Struggling with debt? Ask a debt advisor a question

fenix69

Can I just add, I was never contact regarding this before yesterday

sallywade_2

Hi, I couldn't figure out where best to post this so please feel free to redirect me if necessary.

Before I got married, around 7 years ago I had an issue when Barclays took over my Woolwich account and I didn't realise my overdraft wasn't free anymore (didn't read the small print as I was a mostly drunk student then). The bill racked up to over £500 as I never checked the account and I just ignored the debt as I felt it was horrendous. I've moved a lot since and have received letters from time to time but as I kept moving I would just forget about it. Now Past Due have contacted me for this debt so I sent them a standard statute barred letter (it's not on my credit file) asking them to provide proof of the debt.

They have written back asking for me to confirm if I lived in a particular address (a couple of years after I got the debt) and the dates I lived there. I'm wondering why and if that means either myself or my husband acknowledged the debt while we were there? The thing is I'm sure we wouldn't have because I have always refused to pay it and if we'd spoken to them we'd have no doubt been cajoled into setting up a payment plan. I'm pretty sure I just ignored the debt but a lot has happened in 7 years for me to remember it all!

Shall I just ignore the letter as I stated in the statute barred letter I would make no further communication without proof of debt? Thanks, I appreciate anyone's help on this, I've just found I'm pregnant after 6 miscarriages so I really don't need this stress! x

StepChange_Jen

fenix69 wrote: »

Hello
I wonder if someone can help?
I received a Default CCJ in the post yesterday I was horrified!


I have an Audi 4 years ago and due to my nasty divorce I had to hand it back to the finance company whom informed me it would be sold at auction. I moved home. I always assumed they sold it which cleared the finance (there was approx. £7k owed and the car was worth apporx £13k)


Then yesterday as my new home (lived there 3 years now) I got the letter from the County Court with a Default CCJ demanding payment. Is there anything at all I can do about this? There is no way on earth I can afford to pay this as I am currently on long term sick from work on SSP.


Any advice would be great


Thanks
Amanda

Hi Amanda,

Thanks for posting.

I’m sorry to hear you’re having to deal with this situation.

You’ve mentioned the letter you received was from a County Court, so it sounds like you’ve received a default judgment.
A County Court will issue a judgment in default if the original County Court claim form that was sent was not responded to.

If you moved house and didn’t pass on your address information to the creditor, it may be that the original County Court claim forms were sent to your previous address. This may be why you haven’t heard anything about the CCJ before. You usually have 14 days to return the forms with an offer of payment towards the debt.

You can read more about CCJs here:

http://www.stepchange.org/Debtinformationandadvice/Whatyourcreditorscando/Courtaction/EnglandWalescourtaction/CCJ.aspx

I think you’d benefit from giving our Helpline a call so you can talk directly with one of our advisors about the situation. They’ll be able to offer you tailored advice on the next steps you should take when dealing with this.

You also mentioned that you’d struggle to pay off the debt, this is something we’d be able to advise you on as well. We can take into account your budget, debts and income to help find a debt solution that would suit you.

You can find out how to get in touch with us here:

http://www.stepchange.org/contactus.aspx


I hope this helps and if you’ve got any more questions you know where we are.

Jen

StepChange_James

sallywade wrote: »

Hi, I couldn't figure out where best to post this so please feel free to redirect me if necessary.

Before I got married, around 7 years ago I had an issue when Barclays took over my Woolwich account and I didn't realise my overdraft wasn't free anymore (didn't read the small print as I was a mostly drunk student then). The bill racked up to over £500 as I never checked the account and I just ignored the debt as I felt it was horrendous. I've moved a lot since and have received letters from time to time but as I kept moving I would just forget about it. Now Past Due have contacted me for this debt so I sent them a standard statute barred letter (it's not on my credit file) asking them to provide proof of the debt.

They have written back asking for me to confirm if I lived in a particular address (a couple of years after I got the debt) and the dates I lived there. I'm wondering why and if that means either myself or my husband acknowledged the debt while we were there? The thing is I'm sure we wouldn't have because I have always refused to pay it and if we'd spoken to them we'd have no doubt been cajoled into setting up a payment plan. I'm pretty sure I just ignored the debt but a lot has happened in 7 years for me to remember it all!

Shall I just ignore the letter as I stated in the statute barred letter I would make no further communication without proof of debt? Thanks, I appreciate anyone's help on this, I've just found I'm pregnant after 6 miscarriages so I really don't need this stress! x

Hi Sally,

I'm afraid I don't really know why this company are asking for you to confirm details of previous addresses. It could be because they want to make sure they're corresponding with the right person.

If the template letter was similar to the one on our blog ( http://moneyaware.co.uk/2013/10/statute-barred-debt/ ) then I think it's reasonable to wait for them to send proof to you before you make any further relpies. If they don't send proof and continue to contact you asking for payments on this debt then you can ask the Financial Ombudsman Service to investigate. (http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumer/complaints.htm)

Congratulations on the pregnancy. It can be stressful dealing with debts but your health is much more important.

Kind regards

James

Injustice_Done

Hello,

I am on a DMP with StepChange (CCCS) and have a few queries please.

I live alone yet was wondering what would happen money wise if my non-working partner moved in with me please?

They don't work and claim Income based ESA. I know I would lose my single person council tax, which isn't too much of a problem, but what happens to my monthly DMP payment?

Say I'm paying you the maximum £100 a month to my creditors, is my partner expected to pay some of my utility bills, as they would be living with me? Like I said, they don't work for various medical issues but am worried if they did move in, what else do I stand to lose in addition to my single person council tax discount please?

I don't want my creditors thinking I am now living with my partner and they assume they will be working so they can contribute to my monthly utility bills, therefore leaving me with extra money each month to go towards my DMP monthly payment as this won't happen.

I believe my debts are purely mine, and keep stressing the fact the partner does not work and won't be bringing in any extra income between the pair of us.

Any advice/help please?

Thankyuo.

Former_StepChange_Rachel

Injustice_Done wrote: »

Hello,

I am on a DMP with StepChange (CCCS) and have a few queries please.

I live alone yet was wondering what would happen money wise if my non-working partner moved in with me please?

They don't work and claim Income based ESA. I know I would lose my single person council tax, which isn't too much of a problem, but what happens to my monthly DMP payment?

Say I'm paying you the maximum £100 a month to my creditors, is my partner expected to pay some of my utility bills, as they would be living with me? Like I said, they don't work for various medical issues but am worried if they did move in, what else do I stand to lose in addition to my single person council tax discount please?

I don't want my creditors thinking I am now living with my partner and they assume they will be working so they can contribute to my monthly utility bills, therefore leaving me with extra money each month to go towards my DMP monthly payment as this won't happen.

I believe my debts are purely mine, and keep stressing the fact the partner does not work and won't be bringing in any extra income between the pair of us.

Any advice/help please?

Thankyuo.

Hi there, thanks for posting.

If your partner should move in with you, the best thing to do would be to give us a call so we can review your budget. Your DMP payment may change as a result of your losing the single person’s discount on council tax, and we might have to review living expenses such as food and sundries.

Your creditors cannot force your partner to contribute to your debts however, and your partner will not be made liable for them by living with you. We may make notes on your budget to make it clear to creditors who is paying for what, but this is simply so we can give as accurate a picture as possible of your situation.

The best people to speak to in regards to any changes in your entitlement once your partner moves in would be the Department of Work and Pensions. Should there be any changes in what you receive or entitled to.

If you’re ever worried about anything, please feel free to give us a call and we’ll talk through any concerns or questions you may have.

Hope this helps

Kind regards

Rachel

Former_StepChange_Rory

Hi rubyjam,

The best thing to do would be to speak to us about the situation and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.

You can find out how to get in touch with us by visiting https://www.stepchange.org/contactus.aspx

We look forward to speaking to you soon.

Rory

rubyjam wrote: »

My StepChange direct debit is for the 10th of each month.

Looking ahead to June, I am going to need extra money to get my car through it's MOT. It would be a great help if I could delay my StepChange payment for a couple of days? (my payday is the 14th of each month but as the 14th June is a Sunday I will be paid on the Friday 12th) What is the latest date I could pay StepChange? Would I be able to ring up and pay on the 12th?

I really don't want to miss any payments on my DMP so I would ask family to help if needs be but I would rather try to sort this myself without involving them if I can.

Bonanza

Good evening all,

I have literally just pulled my head out of the sand with the realisation that I am £20k in credit card debt. I am now wondering should I contact the card providers to try to give myself a little breathing time?
Help is needed!

Thanks Newbie

StepChange_James

Bonanza wrote: »

Good evening all,

I have literally just pulled my head out of the sand with the realisation that I am £20k in credit card debt. I am now wondering should I contact the card providers to try to give myself a little breathing time?
Help is needed!

Thanks Newbie

Hi Bonanza,

Thanks for posting and welcome to the forum. It's always great to hear when someone's had their "lightbulb moment" and is taking steps to deal with their debts. It can be a scary prospect to start with but there's help available to get you through.

I'd suggest getting advice before approaching your creditors. That way you'll have a clearer idea about were you stand with them.

We can give you free and impartial debt advice and help you find a strategy to deal with your debts. You can do this by calling our helpline and speaking ot an advisor: http://www.stepchange.org/Contactus.aspx or by using our online tool: http://www.stepchange.org/DebtRemedy.aspx.

Whichever way you use our service we'll be able to support you through dealing with these debts. There's also good support available in the main Debt Free Wannabe forum.

All the best,

James

mummy254

I was unwell though still employed and getting wages. I lost track of a credit card and I now have a default. There is only a few hundred pounds outstanding but I haven't told my husband. Its really eating at me but I don't want him to be disappointed in me. I need to get a new car as I have a driving job and my car us on its last legs. We have debt on a credit card and it does not sem to be decreasing. Its making me I'll. Any advice would be appreciated. Feeling low