Benefits for bereavement

free_chaz_dingle

I am not sure if this forum helps with this kind of thing, But I have nowhere else to turn at the minute.

Here is the issue I found out today that mum has got a Capital one card with a £4000 limit and an Argos card with a £5000 limit (Why are these kind of limits given to people on benefits?), She has had these for 7+ years and could pay the bills when dad was alive fine. My mum must have lost it or just wanted a release because she has gone and maxed these out in the space of 5 weeks since my dad died! Looking at her previous bills I think she has spent £2500 on Capital one and £3500 on Argos

I have no idea what is going to happen now because with my mum on a state pension which is topped up with pension credit she has no chance of paying the money back. I am fearing that both companies will see this as fraud as soon as she defaults on them both which is pretty close to happening. I can understand their point as well!

I am livid at the minute and really worry that mum will be arrested, She is pretty down and I am not sure she would cope with it all. Could I move the debt over to me maybe and pay a small amount per week? I can pay £300 upfront and then pay a weekly amount!

Any advice will be great, I am really going out of my mind with worry and don't want to tell all the family if I can help it.... One thing is certain Mum will have zero chance of paying what she owes so I really need some help please

Thanks

xx

DCFC79

free_chaz_dingle wrote: »

I am not sure if this forum helps with this kind of thing, But I have nowhere else to turn at the minute.

Here is the issue I found out today that mum has got a Capital one card with a £4000 limit and an Argos card with a £5000 limit (Why are these kind of limits given to people on benefits?), She has had these for 7+ years and could pay the bills when dad was alive fine. My mum must have lost it or just wanted a release because she has gone and maxed these out in the space of 5 weeks since my dad died! Looking at her previous bills I think she has spent £2500 on Capital one and £3500 on Argos

I have no idea what is going to happen now because with my mum on a state pension which is topped up with pension credit she has no chance of paying the money back. I am fearing that both companies will see this as fraud as soon as she defaults on them both which is pretty close to happening. I can understand their point as well!

I am livid at the minute and really worry that mum will be arrested, She is pretty down and I am not sure she would cope with it all. Could I move the debt over to me maybe and pay a small amount per week? I can pay £300 upfront and then pay a weekly amount!

Any advice will be great, I am really going out of my mind with worry and don't want to tell all the family if I can help it.... One thing is certain Mum will have zero chance of paying what she owes so I really need some help please

Thanks

xx

You would have been better off starting your own thread and on either the loans board or debt free wannabee.

Why is it fraud ?

Why would she be arrested ?

free_chaz_dingle

Oh right sorry, This was just a continuation of the thread I started. Should I start a new thread?

I would class it as fraud I would have thought? Mum has spend £6000 as far as I can tell reading on past bills in the space of 5 weeks, She is refusing to talk to me on what but spending that money and then defaulting? Seems very dodgy to me and I just hope they understand the grief she is going through.

I would imagine the two firms could say she committed fraud by knowing she would never be able to afford the bills and spent so much in a few weeks and then defaulting?

miduck

free_chaz_dingle wrote: »

I am not sure if this forum helps with this kind of thing, But I have nowhere else to turn at the minute.

Here is the issue I found out today that mum has got a Capital one card with a £4000 limit and an Argos card with a £5000 limit (Why are these kind of limits given to people on benefits?), She has had these for 7+ years and could pay the bills when dad was alive fine. My mum must have lost it or just wanted a release because she has gone and maxed these out in the space of 5 weeks since my dad died! Looking at her previous bills I think she has spent £2500 on Capital one and £3500 on Argos

I have no idea what is going to happen now because with my mum on a state pension which is topped up with pension credit she has no chance of paying the money back. I am fearing that both companies will see this as fraud as soon as she defaults on them both which is pretty close to happening. I can understand their point as well!

I am livid at the minute and really worry that mum will be arrested, She is pretty down and I am not sure she would cope with it all. Could I move the debt over to me maybe and pay a small amount per week? I can pay £300 upfront and then pay a weekly amount!

Any advice will be great, I am really going out of my mind with worry and don't want to tell all the family if I can help it.... One thing is certain Mum will have zero chance of paying what she owes so I really need some help please

Thanks

xx

As the purchases were recent, is there any possibility of returning the goods?

DCFC79 wrote: »

You would have been better off starting your own thread and on either the loans board or debt free wannabee.

Why is it fraud ?

Why would she be arrested ?

Buying goods on credit when you know you cannot pay for them may be fraudulent. However the likelihood of the lender taking action against someone in this lady's position is very low.

Poppie68

Op its not fraud in anyway shape or form. Its not unusual for beveared people to act like this. She needs to speak to them and give them permission for you to deal with these 2 companies and you will be able to sort out repayment. Maybe when thinks are much calmer and clearer for her she will be able to sort out her own affairs.

free_chaz_dingle

I am working on it miduck, She is refusing at the minute to tell me what she has spent it on. Just clams up and changes the subject! I only have the capital one bill at the minute but she spent it on food over christmas at £300 (crazy) and then took almost £2000 cash. I feel sick writing this... Argos Bill I can't find but she said she owes them £5000.

I have got an appointment with a doctor to see what they can do and I have booked 2 weeks off work to hopefully sort this mess out and keep mum company.

I need to know what options I have, Can I declare mum bankrupt? Can I take the bill on? I will die if mum is arrested or hounded for this cash! The crazy thing is mum and dad have always brought us up as to spend within your means!!! We have never defaulted on anything...

I love my mum and if I can pay this off for her weekly then I will..

Sorry getting emotional now...

free_chaz_dingle

Poppie68 what so mum rings both companies and I can control that debt? Like I say I want to sort this out so if they can accept a payment plan via me then I will be happy... Mum should never have been given so much credit on a pension!!!

Poppie68

free_chaz_dingle wrote: »

Poppie68 what so mum rings both companies and I can control that debt? Like I say I want to sort this out so if they can accept a payment plan via me then I will be happy... Mum should never have been given so much credit on a pension!!!

You mum needs to call all the companies that she owes money too and give permission for you to call and speak to them when needed on her behalf. They will set a password which they will ask you for each time you call.
Is this credit she was given after your father passed or did she already have it and just never used it? Seems due to the timescale of spending this may of been in place before your father passed away.

free_chaz_dingle

Both cards were before dad died, They have had both cards for 7+ years and never defaulted. Just so heartbreaking to see my mum spend so much money in such a short space of time.... Mum can't be arrested, She wouldn't cope with it and I need to sort it asap...

miduck

free_chaz_dingle wrote: »

I am working on it miduck, She is refusing at the minute to tell me what she has spent it on. Just clams up and changes the subject! I only have the capital one bill at the minute but she spent it on food over christmas at £300 (crazy) and then took almost £2000 cash. I feel sick writing this... Argos Bill I can't find but she said she owes them £5000.

I have got an appointment with a doctor to see what they can do and I have booked 2 weeks off work to hopefully sort this mess out and keep mum company.

I need to know what options I have, Can I declare mum bankrupt? Can I take the bill on? I will die if mum is arrested or hounded for this cash! The crazy thing is mum and dad have always brought us up as to spend within your means!!! We have never defaulted on anything...

I love my mum and if I can pay this off for her weekly then I will..

Sorry getting emotional now...

I don't know a great deal about bankruptcy, but I imagine that if she took this route she would be subject to quite stringent controls for some time due to the level of non essential spending.

I really don't think she would be arrested, but the lenders can be quite aggressive in chasing repayments. I would agree with Poppie68 that you need to get authority to deal with them, possibly also getting a letter from the GP telling them that she is unwell and they must deal with you.

It must be a very stressful time. Make sure you take some time to look after yourself as well as those around you.