Debt collection agency?

Kimberley

I'm having one of my debts transfered to a debt collector and they said i'll have charges added to the account. How much will these charges be and can i say how much i'm paying or will they decide?

This company i owe money to is Littlewoods and i didn't sign a credit agreement, so what are my rights on this?

I offered them £10 a month which they agreed for 3 months, now after next months payment they say they want £28 a month which i've said i can't afford so they said they will transfer my debt to a debt collection agency who will add charges to my arrears.

I don't know what these debt collection agencies are like as i've never had to deal with one before so i'm quite worried about this. I got the call from Littlewoods about 10 minutes ago.

Debt_Free_Chick

How much will these charges be and can i say how much i'm paying or will they decide?

They absolutely do NOT decide. You can only pay what you can afford.

First off, you need a budget showing where your money goes each month. That should show them that you can only afford £10 a month. So write to them - do everything by writing and refuse to deal with them over the phone - send a copy of your budget and tell them you can only afford to pay £10 a month.

As for the charges, simply explain to them that this will only increase the debt, that you do not want to increase the debt and want to pay it all back.

They will try to use "bullying tactics" to get you to pay more. Resist these and stick to only what you can afford to pay.

Kimberley

Thanks for that saves me worrying :beer:

ukboy

If it is mercers debt collection handling it like it is mine dont worry about it as ive been having trouble since october paying my cc bills and mercers / littlewoods / mercers are all closely linked only now that i have said that i want an iva have they told me this and also that the letters are only as they say "bully tactics" to worry us a little :-)

Kimberley

Mind you my debt with Littlewoods is about £700 so for £10 a month i'll be paying for 7 years..yikes!!! I wish i hadn't been so stupid in running up debts in the first place..sniff, sniff..

gravitytolls

Get in touch with CAB, or debt counsellor regarding debt collection agencies. they may be able to do something about this, or advise you of any other options you may have.

Don't be too hard on yourself for getting into debt, we've all done it, and then spend ages sorting it out.
But looking on the bright side, you'll never get into difficulty like this again, cos you've learnt the hard way.

There are plenty of people who never learn, I know several who got into huge debt difficulties several times, end up in court. Then a few years on are starting over with anothe rload of debt.

I don't think that'll ever happen to you cos you are so stinked off about being in this position now.

Good luck.

Kimberley

Oh no i will never get into this sort of trouble again. Hmm my debt altogether comes to about £3500. Is there a way where i can have all my debt built into one to make my repayments cheaper? As at the mo my repayments come to £105 per month I would like to just pay one single payment rather then lots of different ones..

Iona_Penny

I think you have had good advice about putting it in writing and sending them a breakdown of your income and expenditure. All I will say is when you make the offer of £10 a month make sure you can pay it and stick to it - only offer what you are certain you can pay as more defaulting will not help - you can also tell them that if your situation improves in the future you will attempt to repay more. Good Luck

Kimberley

Cool thanks everyone, i was so worried that i will be made to pay what they wanted. I just thought they were some kind of bailiff ..I can now sleep tonight

Iona_Penny

sorry kim03 seem to have crossed your next post.

Kimberley

Thats ok i thanked you anyway :beer: