Mobile Phone Debt Help Me!!!!!!!!

Stanai

I have been very foolish and now am very worried about my future. Please can somebody offer me advice, and not lay in to me too much for being so stupid.

I am 30 years old and suffer with a mental health problem. I have been on disability benefits for 10 years now. I had much more money when I lived at home with my Mum as I only had to pay board. But now I'm living in the big wide world and have my own house. The cost of living is much more living independent, with bills, food etc.

I have run up debts of about £5000 and have recently took out a debt management plan with Step Change.

Basically I had 5 contracts with O2 last summer/autumn, and found that I was paying £250 per month to them and not left with a lot of spare cash. I phoned them and explained I was struggling to pay and asked if there was any option of a payment plan. I spoke with a very nice lady who said in order to set up a payment plan with O2 to pay the contracts off in installaments, I would have to terminate the contracts and be issued with a final bill. So she went ahead and closed 4 of the contracts down but let me keep one phone line and remain a customer. She said that if I was unable to arrange a payment plan with them, they would be happy to accept payments through Step Change. I was sent default notices within a month or two and it was passed over to debt collection. I have contacted Step Change and arranged to pay them back via my debt management plan.

Pretty soon I noticed my finances were better as I was paying £73 a month to my creditors through Step Change instead of the £250 a month previously to O2.

After Christmas and New Year I decided to apply to O2 for another contract phone. To my surprise they accepted me, but ever since I've been really paranoid thinking the police are going to arrest me and send me to prison, and I'll lose my house, freedom, lifestyle and everything. I phoned O2 and spoke with a guy who said I hadn't done anything wrong really, and that the older debts are a separate issue and me being accepted for a new credit agreement is another, down to my credit file and status etc.

I feel so guilty and worried. I've been really stupid.

What do you think? Is it a civil matter? Can you offer any advice or reassurance?

sourcrates

Hi,

Last time I looked we lived in a free country, so if you wanted another phone contract, and were accepted, That's your Buisness.

Why would the police be interested in you and your debts ?

Debt has been a civil matter since Victoria was on the throne.
Yes, you are been paranoid, although why you have got another contact whilst your still paying off previous contracts is beyond me !!

DCFC79

I'm amazed why you would have 5 contracts out at 1 time and I hope you don't have 2 phone contracts but cancelled one or moved your number.