just started out on DMP journey

sexyshark

Hi

I have just posted off my paperwork to stepchange and I was wondering if once you send the letters out to the creditors, can i expect to be unindated with telephone calls.

The reason I ask my parents have no idea I am in debt and that's the way I would like it to stay,

Also can the company tell them who they are and why they are calling.


Many thanks

Tixy

Some people do get a few phonecalls, others have reported getting none or very few.

It would be acceptable for them to state where they are calling from, but not give any other details (about how much you owe or that you are in a DMP or that you have arrears).

If you are worried you could also send a letter asking for your number to be removed from their system and asking for all communication to be in writing - here is a template you could use / adapt -Harassment by telephone

sexyshark

Many thanks tixy

sexyshark

well I have just got confirmation that my first payment goes out on the 1st May, and stepchange has sent out letters to my creditors on the 28th march so the waiting game begins,

No phone calls as yet

marksta

From my experience, keeping your situation secret is hard work, stressful and ultimately pointless. I understand that some situations are challenging but believe me when I say it is much better to be honest with those closest to you. The stress of debt is often much worse when you have to keep it bottled up. I kept my situation a secret for years before the stress finally made it impossible to hide. My hands shook, I developed a twitch in my eye and I shut myself off from the world. Eventually I told my parents and although my mum was furious for a time she came round to the idea and was actually quite supportive.

Still you've made the first and biggest step by contacting Stepchange and starting a DMP and I wish you all the very best

sexyshark

Many thanks Marksta and congratulations on being debt free, I will keep that in mind but my parents have never been in debt, and are the most judgemental people you can meet on the subject, so I will be hiding it from them as long as possible, as it will prob be more stressful them knowing as it will be always brought up to embarrass me at every opportunity.

sickasachip13

Hi, we didn't get anywhere near the number of phone calls as we had expected. We gave the creditors our landline number and also made sure that the creditors never had a sniff of our mobile numbers, and they've never found them either. Good luck.

SAAC

Coinmachine

Hi sexy,

I have recently started out as well and couldnt face the thought of calls. I had an old sim card so accessed all my accounts online and where a phone number had to be listed put down the number.

The only phone call I have ever had to answer on my home phone was from Halifax, I think they got my number as my wife has an account there and I didnt think to change her contact number.

The call from Halifax came when the DMP was already up and running and they had received the first payment. I had also previously put in writing to all my creditors that I wanted to deal with matters in writing only.

I firmly told the person on the phone that I have previously requested that the matter be dealt with in writing and that Stepchange are my representatives so they should not contact me directly. They couldnt get off the phone quick enough and I followed this up in writing again requesting that they do not call.

sickasachip13

Yes, following Coinmachine's message, you are well within your rights to ask them to communicate through StepChange or writing.

SAAC

sexyshark

many thanks for the info guys I have already had one creditor write to me saying they have accepted so hopefully i won't get any calls

sexyshark

This is a copy of an email I will be sending to my creditors

can someone tell me if this is ok

With regard to the above loan I would like to inform you that I am experiencing financial difficulties and started a DMP with stepchange reference number xxxxxxx.

They have my full authorisation to deal with the account and a letter has been sent out to that effect from them on the 28th march 2014.

My first payment to them will commence on the 1st May 2014.

Also I request that you remove the following numbers from your database as stapchange now deal with the account.

xxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx


regards