Relative debts and possibly reclaiming exorbitant charges

ridvimes

Hi,

my relative had lots of debts after ex left her and the kids in mess. She had several breakdowns and I did not know what was going on until she then had to go for operation last year which turned out to be cancer. She has had two ops as it had spread and has been looking for a job without any luck.

She has finally let me see her finances. She lives like a pauper but the debts from the past were nearly all sold off to debt companies (link was one) and she pays token payments to the credit companies as she has not worked now for a year.

What I want to know is this - Her debts spralled out of control due to the excessive charges £35.00 per letter and late payment charges they put on.

Is it is still possible for her to contact those old creditors and claim repayment of those charges so we can try and then do full and final settlement offers to the credit companies that bought the debts?

All advice will be gratefully received.

sourcrates

Yes it is, and she should do so.


Look on the website, Martin has plenty of advise on how to do this.
Credit card charges, at £35 were a complete rip off.

Monkeyballs

Hi,

I'm guessing that she hasn't with everything else going on but might be worth contacting a debt charity?

Depending on her finances she might be able to get a DRO or similar?

MB of G

happy_bunny_2

When did she default? Check her credit file, Noddle is free and a good starting point.

When did she last pay or acknowledge the debts in writing?

Useful to know a bit more before advising.

Don't contact any creditors yet.

HB

ridvimes

Hi Guys

Thanks for your replies -all this went on hold for a while because she was very ill with cancer. Her children have taken over her affairs and identified massive charges in paperwork from 2000s. Her debts were more than doubled due to these debts plus interest and she is still paying back to debt agencies (representative of companies and buyers of her debt).

She is bipolar on high dosage drugs.

Given the 6 year rule and the continuing hardship for the whole period is there any hope or likelihood of getting this money back? Any repayment would make a big dent in the debts she has.
any ideas?

andyfromotley

I would suggest a call to National debt line, step change or Christians against Poverty. These are experts in debt relief, free, and get rave reviews on this forum. They will be able to work through it all and give some suggestions. It seems on the very few facts given that debt relief of some sort would be appropriate. Give em a call.

sourcrates

ridvimes wrote: »

Hi Guys

Thanks for your replies -all this went on hold for a while because she was very ill with cancer. Her children have taken over her affairs and identified massive charges in paperwork from 2000s. Her debts were more than doubled due to these debts plus interest and she is still paying back to debt agencies (representative of companies and buyers of her debt).

She is bipolar on high dosage drugs.

Given the 6 year rule and the continuing hardship for the whole period is there any hope or likelihood of getting this money back? Any repayment would make a big dent in the debts she has.
any ideas?

Hi,

You need to write to each individual original creditor, mark your letter "COMPLAINT", and ask for the charges to be refunded, on the basis that they were unfair.
As I said in my previous post, look on this site under "reclaiming charges" link here :

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/

The advice given for bank charge reclaiming also applies to credit card charges.

Sometimes they give in straight away, other times they will refuse, if it's the latter, and that's there final responce, you can then go to the FOS who will decide the case on the balance of fairness.
You have to be prepared for a fight, but don't give in, you will get something back from this.