DMP & Mutual Support Thread - Part 10

BeingDebtFreeStartsHere

Hi all,

Hope everyone is ok this evening

I had a letter from Tesco (never acknowledged the DMP) saying I am now in arrears as I have cancelled my DD so owe them October's payment of £193. Do I ignore it, call them or call SC?? Not sure what is best to do. SC have never informed me that any of the creditors have refused the DMP and they will get their SC payment at the end of the month.

Many thanks,

BDFSH x

Sazzie23

BeingDebtFreeStartsHere wrote: »

Hi all,

Hope everyone is ok this evening

I had a letter from Tesco (never acknowledged the DMP) saying I am now in arrears as I have cancelled my DD so owe them October's payment of £193. Do I ignore it, call them or call SC?? Not sure what is best to do. SC have never informed me that any of the creditors have refused the DMP and they will get their SC payment at the end of the month.

Many thanks,

BDFSH x

Hi BDFSH

I would give them a call if you feel up to it, sometimes the message about SC DMP doesn't get through, or they don't update their computers correctly so they still send out 'you owe us' letters.

Probably all be fine if you just give them a ring and remind them SC will be paying on 25th.

Cheers

Sazzie

LewpeyLou yes I think it's a goof thing they are defaulting so early on, the defaulted one of mine at about 12 months and the DcA give me no trouble, but did suggest they'd be up for an F&f if I had any dosh.

MB aah I forgot about your bite, but isn't that reserved for bananas?

Babybeeboo good luck with the F&f, letter sounds good to me but I'm no expert, your first post yesterday sounded a bit despairing but the latest one sounded very positive and I think you've had that all important LBM . You'll be fine, just stay positive.

Monkeyballs

Morning all!

Few more new names... I like it!

BBoo, thanks for posting on this thread loadsa good good people here and some good advice already... step one, ditch the fee paying DMP and get another set up with Step Change (or other free provider, I personally recommend Step Change though) and add those latest payday loans to it and get some small payments set out... I misread your first post and didn't realise you had more six months of small payments will butter them up for when you can start to make F&F's so keep the money you're getting DO NOT spend it (give it to someone you trust if you don't trust yourself OR open an online only savings account and put the cash in there).

BDFSH, I agree with Sazzie - give Tesco a call and ask them if they have details of your DMP and ask that they remove any new charges if they are aware. That said, its common to rack up more debt in the beginning as creditors try to feign ignorance (*cough*Barclaycard*cough*) so all you need to do if they won't budge is let SC know the updated balance as it stands now and be ready to make a complaint to try to claim them back

A lot of creditors don't acknowledge agreement to DMP's but just let the process tick on... Personally, any who didn't were called to get confirmation over the phone so if any "hadn't received information" they could be given it over the phone, they then normally froze the account for 30 days awaiting confirmation from Step Change and then I called SC to re-send info to that creditor. Don't be surprised if the people you expected to be nice and understanding are the least nice and understanding LOL - they won't be nasty, just not as pleasant as when you call then without any financial worries...

If you're still concerned - regardless of them having received info by the time it's the 25th SC will still make a payment and will continue to do so regardless eventually even the most diehard creditor will either accept the payment or sell it to a DCA which is often better anyway

Sazzie, Monkeyballs bite many thing...

MB of G x

Kate_fixing_it

Aaaaaw thank you for your kind words Neil you've made me feel so happy on a very grumpy morning where everything seems to be going wrong except debt clearing!

Bit of a study disaster for me (Yeah being melodramatic but I'm losing sleep over this - although it's kind of nice to lose sleep over something other than debt! ) it would appear that I either need to sit 7 exams by the end of the year or the number of exams will double as the syllabus changed and I wasn't aware problem being that I let my professional membership lapse and not sure if I can get it reset in time for the first exam in 9 days and it took over 2 hours to get to the bottom of that last night.

In other news I also have another interview on Friday (that I thought was a huge long shot) and I'm just starting to fret about it. Plus running "Kate's child taxi service", DS1's 16th birthday and DD1's first sixth form parent evening tomorrow, her 17th on Tuesday and DH working all hours and getting calls at 2.30am yesterday morning. Phew! Thank goodness the debt is under control!

With all that going on I'm so looking forward to running away next week. I'm off to visit a friend for a couple of nights (child free!!!) but departure may be delayed as if I can sort out the study mess my first exam will be the morning I go!

I'm sure that I can sort it all out with a bit of organisation but it all feels massive at the moment. I'm also covering long term sick at work and the stress is getting to me a bit hence the sleepless nights. Finally gave up at 5 am and got up to do some work so at least one thing a little ahead for today before the rest of the family (or the daylight) even surface.

On a less whingey note this (in a VERY weird way) feels good. I may be totally snowed under but I have a degree of control or at least I feel like I do. I certainly wouldn't have coped this time last year. It's kind of nice to look back and see how far I have come.

Kate x

Growurown

Kate_fixing_it wrote: »

Aaaaaw thank you for your kind words Neil you've made me feel so happy on a very grumpy morning where everything seems to be going wrong except debt clearing!

Bit of a study disaster for me (Yeah being melodramatic but I'm losing sleep over this - although it's kind of nice to lose sleep over something other than debt! ) it would appear that I either need to sit 7 exams by the end of the year or the number of exams will double as the syllabus changed and I wasn't aware problem being that I let my professional membership lapse and not sure if I can get it reset in time for the first exam in 9 days and it took over 2 hours to get to the bottom of that last night.

In other news I also have another interview on Friday (that I thought was a huge long shot) and I'm just starting to fret about it. Plus running "Kate's child taxi service", DS1's 16th birthday and DD1's first sixth form parent evening tomorrow, her 17th on Tuesday and DH working all hours and getting calls at 2.30am yesterday morning. Phew! Thank goodness the debt is under control!

With all that going on I'm so looking forward to running away next week. I'm off to visit a friend for a couple of nights (child free!!!) but departure may be delayed as if I can sort out the study mess my first exam will be the morning I go!

I'm sure that I can sort it all out with a bit of organisation but it all feels massive at the moment. I'm also covering long term sick at work and the stress is getting to me a bit hence the sleepless nights. Finally gave up at 5 am and got up to do some work so at least one thing a little ahead for today before the rest of the family (or the daylight) even surface.

On a less whingey note this (in a VERY weird way) feels good. I may be totally snowed under but I have a degree of control or at least I feel like I do. I certainly wouldn't have coped this time last year. It's kind of nice to look back and see how far I have come.

Kate x

Hi Kate, phew you have a lot on your plate, but you seem to have everything under control! Hope you enjoy your child free time away:)

dad2one

Well, my lad has just started Uni, so there is a strange calm in the house these days.....
An interesting point actually, as he is living away on campus, this I'm guessing is a circumstantial change that I ought to let SC know about.
Not that it changes anything financially for me really. He is still home at non term times, and indeed at the odd weekend - so technically, I'd say he's still more or less living with me.
I don't want to rock the boat with the accepted DMP amounts, and rather not have to redo a SOA again.
I guess I'll inform SC but tell them it doesn't affect my ins and outs.

Puzzcat

dad2one wrote: »

Well, my lad has just started Uni, so there is a strange calm in the house these days.....
An interesting point actually, as he is living away on campus, this I'm guessing is a circumstantial change that I ought to let SC know about.
Not that it changes anything financially for me really. He is still home at non term times, and indeed at the odd weekend - so technically, I'd say he's still more or less living with me.
I don't want to rock the boat with the accepted DMP amounts, and rather not have to redo a SOA again.
I guess I'll inform SC but tell them it doesn't affect my ins and outs.

If your incoming and outgoings are still the same I personally wouldn't say anything. This will be the situation I will be in a couple of years and if anything I only see my outgoings rising to assist the costs of uni.
Puzz.x

Time_to_face_the_music

Baybeeboo wrote: »

Thank you all for your time in replying... I do appreciate it all..

I am willing to be as pushy as needs be! I am finally ready to take them on, whereas before I would hide and try and forget about it all, I think I have finally grown up!

I have spent most of my time researching F&FS (Getting used to the lingo!) and believe I should start off on offering 20%-30% on my first initial offer, and then let the haggling begin! I think I have found a template which I shall use;

Your name and address
Date

Name and address of creditor
Dear Sir/Madam
Account No
I am writing to you with reference to the debt which you are claiming for the above account.
Unfortunately I am unable to offer to pay the full amount in which you are owed (details of your circumstances and financial situation). However, I can raise £ (the amount you can afford to pay). This offer is made on the understanding that, once accepted, neither you nor any other organisation will take any further action against me to pursue this debt in any way and that I will be released from any liability. I also wish to request that, if accepted, you will mark any entry on a credit reference agency file as “satisfied” in full.
I can make the payment within (number of days or weeks) of receiving your written agreement of my offer and method of payment.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully

Does this cover everything it needs to? I am hoping to pay out as little as poss, but pay every single one off.
All my priority bills are up to date, excluding the council tax who take what they are due out of my wages, so I think I am happy to leave that as it is, saves me worrying every month! Rent is spot on, gas and electric are key meters so no worries there and water bill is due now so will pay that too.

I feel a slow release off my shoulders, even though I haven't paid anyone yet, but learning so much from everyone here, and knowing I am not the only one!

Hi Baybeeboo :hello:

I would follow National Debtline's excellent full and final advice and use their template letter which is included on the last page:

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/24%20EW%20Full%20and%20final%20settlement%20offers/Default.aspx

This thread really does bring the release that you talk about so stick around for as much help, advice and support as you need.

TTFTM x

Lighthelamp

Hi everyone, I am thinking of entering a DMP, getting up the courage to ring SC in the next few days & hoping you can all advice me if this sounds like the right thing. My story is I was employed & working, bought a house around 8 yrs ago (still 15 yrs left on mortgage). I borrowed a lot on CC to do work to house etc, now due to a major op & ill health I am currently on half pay & will go to no pay with possibility (but no guarantee) of ill health pension in next few months. I live alone & debts are all mine. At present I am struggling to keep my head above water, family are helping out but Im still having to borrow of credit to pay monthly bills. Paying back around £800 in loans/credit cards per month & income around the same (excluding other bills). I have moved in with parents & rented out house to family member to help pay mortgage, but still have usual rates etc. While I was working I could manage, now I cant. I haven't missed any payments, but in another few months I may well end up depending on benefits. I still want to repay all, & I may be able to get back to work in future but not for another year at least. What to do? If I enter a DMP could bailiff type people come after my parents since I am living with them (my worst nightmare) or to my own house (that is now rented)? Really worried & don't know what to do for best, any help appreciated.

Sazzie23

Lighthelamp wrote: »

Hi everyone, I am thinking of entering a DMP, getting up the courage to ring SC in the next few days & hoping you can all advice me if this sounds like the right thing. My story is I was employed & working, bought a house around 8 yrs ago (still 15 yrs left on mortgage). I borrowed a lot on CC to do work to house etc, now due to a major op & ill health I am currently on half pay & will go to no pay with possibility (but no guarantee) of ill health pension in next few months. I live alone & debts are all mine. At present I am struggling to keep my head above water, family are helping out but Im still having to borrow of credit to pay monthly bills. Paying back around £800 in loans/credit cards per month & income around the same (excluding other bills). I have moved in with parents & rented out house to family member to help pay mortgage, but still have usual rates etc. While I was working I could manage, now I cant. I haven't missed any payments, but in another few months I may well end up depending on benefits. I still want to repay all, & I may be able to get back to work in future but not for another year at least. What to do? If I enter a DMP could bailiff type people come after my parents since I am living with them (my worst nightmare) or to my own house (that is now rented)? Really worried & don't know what to do for best, any help appreciated.

Hi LLL - thanks for sharing, I know you must feel devasted by all this but you are really looking at the best way to deal with debt. I hope your ill health is a temporary state, but best to try to and make a start while you are not working and get yourself back on the road to debt recovery.

Have you tried the SC debt remedy ? It's on line and you can sign up without speaking to them, I think they will arrange to give you a call to go through things, I cried all through my phone call with them so don't worry if you feel emotional, they are lovely and very used to tears and fears.

Regards bailiffs, they will only come if there is a judgement against you, and a judgement will only happen, if you fail to pay and then fail to contact creditors and make arrangements to pay. SC have some very useful stuff on their site about bailiffs and rights but I think the overwhelming majority on DMPs do not have to worry bout them.
I had plans on hiding my stuff at at storage unit etc, reading up on what they can and can't do really helped me.

Once you stop making regularl CC payments you will likely get a few phone calls until DMP is sorted. If you live with folks and don't want them to know or be bothered, best to make sure all the companies only have your mobile as a contact number. Can't still guarantee they won't call your old number so have an explanation about 'banking issues' ready if the folks take a message.

Lots of help and support on here, try not to worry, once you are into a DMP stress levels will drop.

Top tip, don't push your SC budget too far in an effort to make big repayments, more likely to have interest etc stopped if payments are low and then you can save to make an overpayment if the funds are available. Also if you are likely to fall into the benefits bracket creditors will be less shocked when payments drop.