Friend in serious problems

RAS

Hi

This is Martin's article on credit checks

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/credit-rating-credit-score

Your friend needs somehow to get the check on his name for all three main providers, not just Experiean in case there are any more horror stories lurking there.

he needs to get his own bank account and then get his benefit and DDs paid in and out of the account.

I would recommend that on the day your friend is going to do the deed, he goes to the bank where the current joint account is held and

a) cancels all the DDs, in writing
b) advises the bank of the situation in writing and requires them to have two signatures on all withdrawals in future, and advises them of the attempt to forge his signature recently (take a photcopy).

Unfortunately as your friend has a joint account, his credit rating will be tied to his partners' for the next 6 years and he will be liable for the joint debt. Apart from the immediate need to password protect, as soon as he has told the partner that it is over, he needs to write to the credit agencies notifying them that the finacial link has now ceased.

Does the friend have a social worker, or is there a charity that works in that field that might be able to help provide support and advocacy, and maybe someone to drop in regularly for a few days?

If the agression is actually violence, then it may be that the local domestic violence unit could help (they are very variable).

Depending on the amount of debt accrued, your friend might need to consider his options and should get advice from one of the debt charities. If he were to go BK, for instance, then the partner would become liable for all the joint debt.

dronid

RAS wrote: »

Does the friend have a social worker, or is there a charity that works in that field that might be able to help provide support and advocacy, and maybe someone to drop in regularly for a few days?

He does have some Health Visitor support and I shall get him to ask for more support.

Thanks for all that.

BWZN93

I'd also look at CIFAS protective registration - it will prevent any further credit applications in his name without his knowledge.

Jo x

dronid

Thanks for that everyone! Now to put it all into practice!