A Hopeful Journey To Being Debt Free

Angryatthesystem

Ive been a little clumsy with my credit in the past. and it came to the point where i thought, lets peek at my credit report so logged onto Noddle. Totaled up my debt and contacted stepchange. I have to say so far it has been easy to get the information in to them. Ive called all my debtors and advised them that i was going through stepchange. All understood and put my accounts on hold.

Just a few questions

Has anyone else dealt with this charity?
Was it a quick process?
Did it make things easier or do the collectors still hassle you?

Thanks

babybaby1

I sent my pack away on the 18th October, got an email last Monday regarding a query and got email today to say that is everything set up. Just waiting on the details to set up the internet side of things.

I had contacted a couple of my creditors and explained that Stepchange were involved. I had to take measures to remove my phone number as despite asking them to only communicate in writing they were continously on the phone.

First payment will be due soon and it will be a relif that I have finally taken the right steps, i am hoping this will be short term but realistic to know that may not happen.:)

They seem to think it will take four years and 3 months to clear but I am hoping that it will be shorter

Angryatthesystem

Strangely i did mine on the 18th as well!

But thank you its nice to hear it was quick. I had to find all my old account details from companies so mine did take a bit longer to process, but hoping it will be done soon

zenshi

Step change couldn't help me as they said I don't have enough spare money to do a debt plan with them :eek:
So I tackled my debts myself, however when I contact my CC and tell them I have spoken with Stepchange their attitude changes in a good way

Angryatthesystem

Thats good so least i know thats an option too!

Sazzie23

Been with Stepchange since Jan 2013. Now heading towards second year of DMP, I can only comment on their DMPs.

SC are great and non-judgemental, they are free and are brill if you are starting out with a DMP or similar. Downsides - they handle your payments but their negotiation with creditors is limited and depending on your repayments some creditors don't cease interest. SC figures will assume all interest and charges cease so keep track of your own debts and update the SC site regularly.

If you want to go it alone, try NEDCAB self managed DMP. I'm a regular on the DMP support thread, lots of other SC DMPers i=on there too & there's loads of advice and support on there if you have questions.

Good luck with it

sourcrates

You may still get creditor hassle, a lot of it will be computer generated though, so as long as you stick to whatever arrangements you make via step change you should be ok.


You have to remember that even though you may enter a DMP, and your creditors accept it, you will not be paying the original contracted amount for your accounts, and that why they will still write to you.