Letter to cancel DMP, DESPERATE PLEASEHELP

shabbychic123

I've just received a letter (dated 10th March) stating that I've breached the terms of my DMP. I started my DMP in February with Stepchange, however just prior to actually admitting to myself that I had a debt problem in January (so before I applied for my DMP) I stupidly took out a Barclaycard thinking (stupidly I know!!) that this would be the answer to my problem. Obviously it wasn't I faced my debts and have been for the last 2 months on a DMP, I had completely forgotten about the Barclaycard which I hadn't even registered as I chucked it straight in the bin.

Anyway to cut a long story short Stepchange wrote to me on the 10th to say I had 7 days to phone them or they would cancel my DMP.

I have literally just read the letter and am now stressed to hilt.. they are not open until Monday

Has anybody been here? I really don't know what to do... please help.

rizla_king

If you haven't used and have got rid of it then explain that to them. Should not be a problem.

Meatloaf1981

Firstly, calm down, all is not lost. I would recommend calling them on Monday, explaining you have not had a chance to read the letter until today and then explain that the Barclaycard account you took out was before the plan was agreed and has a nil balance, therefore shouldn't place the rest of your DMP in jeopardy.

Talk to them calmly, reasonably and explain your circumstances. They are there to help, not to hinder, but even if they did cancel your DMP regardless (Which I doubt), then you can still contact each of your creditors, ask them to confirm the amounts you've agreed to pay in writing and then self-manage the DMP yourself by setting up individual standing orders. I've done that myself and it makes you more in control of your circumstances.

Don't panic, everyone here is behind you!

shabbychic123

It's just all come as a shock to me this evening.. thank you for your support.

If they have cancelled it are they able to reinstate it?

I've had only one letter (long story but we live on a remote farm and post is like a game of hide and seek) and I've only just read it, but I've had no phonecall/email (which I can easily access on my phone)

I shall phone first thing Monday and explain.. just feeling a little lost this evening....

Meatloaf1981

If they had sent you an email or made a call to you to cancel it then I would be more concerned, but as it is, you have sufficient grounds to assume it has not been cancelled yet and that a swift call to them on Monday will be all that is required.

Try not to worry yourself further, you can only do what you can do at this stage and that's wait until Monday. Don't let it ruin your weekend, there's nothing that can happen that can't be fixed, even it means a period of relative uncertainty whilst you wait for someone to pick up the ball and run with it.

shabbychic123

Thank you so much, feeling so much more reassured now :-)

Meatloaf1981

You're welcome! Have a restful weekend!

jmhgibson123

ive not known step change to cancel a dmp just on having another card, i had a card whilst on my dmp, they cancel if they have not recieved payments.. you should be fine and if they have cancelled it go to national debtline

sourcrates

Worse case scenario, even if they did end your DMP, you can just do it yourself instead, ie, you make payments direct to your creditors, theres nothing special about these companies you know, you can do exactly the same thing they do, yourself, so don't worry about this, its of little consequence to you really, its a sunny day, enjoy lol !!!

Giraffeseeker

I am on a Stepchange DMP and I took a small credit card out for emergencies when leading an overseas school trip. Used it once I think when my debit card was rejected at a petrol station (bank error). Have't had a problem with Stepchange. How would they even know?

shabbychic123

Hi I really don't know how they know... But it's all I can think of?

I'm going to phone them tomorrow and get to the bottom of it.

I really can't think of anything else that it could be....?