DMP mutual support thread part 13 !!

Suseka97

Girl_unknown wrote: »

The other day I asked about what else could i do about Barclays harassment and it was suggested to make a second complaint to them via email and sign for letter off the National debtline since then I have had a letter telling me all my numbers have been removed dated 31st (id been phoned that day and asked about complaining further on here), I emailed the other letter and sent it (it for signed for on 4th June) and they are still phoning my works, reading about complaining to FOS. Do I need to wait for 8 weeks before I can do anymore about it even though I have a letter saying they have done as I've asked ?

Girl_unknown wrote: »

Sourcrates i did that, they keep phoning my work, complaining to them hadn't worked, I've done it 3 times and every time they phone that's why I want to complain further via letter but I read it has to be 8 weeks (so another 6 weeks of calls to my work where it's not always me that gets to the phone first)

This sounds as if its a bit of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. They are a large organisation and it takes a while for things to filter through. If it were me I'd contact whoever sent you a letter to confirm that your phone numbers had been removed and tell them you are still getting calls. Call them from home and be firm that if you receive any more calls to your work number you will immediately contact the Information Commissioners Office as they are in breach of data protection regulations. Speak to the manager if needs be and get a name.

Suseka97

vicki84 wrote: »

Hi
Looking for some advice I have contacted step change today to set up a dmp I feel such an idiot for getting into this situation. I’m am unsure how long it takes for things to be set up. So I am feeling abit unsure and lost. I’ve filled in the paperwork and emailed it back with
my wage slips etc. Any advice would be appreciated.

vicki84 wrote: »

Thanks do I need to contact my creditors to say I am arranging things with step change. Do you know how long it usually takes to set things up.

Do take the advice already given and don't rush into this. You need time to build up an emergency fund. Look back on this thread at the advice I gave to MrTall a few posts up. The mistake a lot of people make is to panic and feel that they must get their DMP up and running quickly, Once you start your DMP you are likely to be in it for the long haul - you will have no access to credit and so if some sort of emergency happens (car breaks down, boiler fails etc.) they then panic again because they have no money for that. SC will naturally say that in the case of an emergency you can likely take a payment break - but creditors get a bit twitchy if you do that too many times over the years (admittedly they can't do much about it, but still).

So, it means nothing in the long run if you take anything from 3 - 6 months before you launch into a DMP. Nothing bad will happen to you in that timeframe (no CCJs, no doorstep debt collectors). Stop your non priority debt payments, write to your creditors to tell them what's happening, set up a new bank account if you have debts associated to your current bank, get your salary moved over to the new account along with your priority bills (Rent, Mortgage, Utilities etc.) - do that manually (don't use a switching service if you have debts associated with your bank. Take time to build up your EF and then start your DMP.

smiff_50

So I've closed my stepchange plan after four years and gone self managed. I've written to creditors saying there will be a short break in payments to September even giving a reason and offering exact same payment.
One of my creditors has replied that they won't accept non payment to September and want me to fill out I&e. I'm waiting on others but should I just ignore them and pay in September monitoring letters etc of course? Or do I have to respond?

Thanks for all the help.

Moveslikeagger

Hi all. Just a bit of insight into my personal experience for all the new people started a DMP. I stopped paying my creditors in November and didn’t pay a penny. Told them I was in financial difficulty and that I’d be in touch when I’m ready. Ignored all letters and calls. Now all debts have been passed on to collection agency’s. All debts defaulted, interest stopped and have been paying wescott and moorcroft for the last 2 months without any hassle after send my I&E. Anyone new I’d stop all payments and wait for defaults. This also gives you time to save an emergency fund!

Suseka97

smiff_50 wrote: »

So I've closed my stepchange plan after four years and gone self managed. I've written to creditors saying there will be a short break in payments to September even giving a reason and offering exact same payment.
One of my creditors has replied that they won't accept non payment to September and want me to fill out I&e. I'm waiting on others but should I just ignore them and pay in September monitoring letters etc of course? Or do I have to respond? Thanks for all the help.

Well done for grabbing the bull by the horns, so to speak, and opting to go self-managed. In answer to your question - yes, just ignore them but keep an eye on things in case they decide to escalate matters (which is doubtful, although they might bluster a little).

Also - are they all defaulted, have they been passed onto a DCA? I ask because if so then you can further delay things by sending off CCA requests.

Suseka97

Moveslikeagger wrote: »

Hi all. Just a bit of insight into my personal experience for all the new people started a DMP. I stopped paying my creditors in November and didn’t pay a penny. Told them I was in financial difficulty and that I’d be in touch when I’m ready. Ignored all letters and calls. Now all debts have been passed on to collection agency’s. All debts defaulted, interest stopped and have been paying wescott and moorcroft for the last 2 months without any hassle after send my I&E. Anyone new I’d stop all payments and wait for defaults. This also gives you time to save an emergency fund!

This is good news and also great advice for those starting out :T

Its so important to save that EF and also best to get those early defaults. We know creditors will threaten allsorts to get what they want. I imagine they get quite peeved when people stand their ground and get advice from forums such as this which help support folks .

smiff_50

Suseka97 wrote: »

Well done for grabbing the bull by the horns, so to speak, and opting to go self-managed. In answer to your question - yes, just ignore them but keep an eye on things in case they decide to escalate matters (which is doubtful, although they might bluster a little).

Also - are they all defaulted, have they been passed onto a DCA? I ask because if so then you can further delay things by sending off CCA requests.

Thanks Suseka

Most are defaulted and with dcas. Two aren't. Creation finance managed by Lowell's. They just will not default! Accounts go back to 2011is but I might just send Cca letters to delay things.

Suseka97

smiff_50 wrote: »

Most are defaulted and with dcas. Two aren't. Creation finance managed by Lowell's. They just will not default! Accounts go back to 2011is but I might just send Cca letters to delay things.

Yes, send CCAs to all and let's hope some are unable to comply -but even if they can, then the delay will help you save. As for the ones who refuse to default, I'd keep them at tokens now until they do. if you have a read of moveslikeagger's post above you'll see he held creditors off for quite a while and that forced the defaults on. So definitely worth doing that.

lulabelle01

Moveslikeagger wrote: »

Hi all. Just a bit of insight into my personal experience for all the new people started a DMP. I stopped paying my creditors in November and didn’t pay a penny. Told them I was in financial difficulty and that I’d be in touch when I’m ready. Ignored all letters and calls. Now all debts have been passed on to collection agency’s. All debts defaulted, interest stopped and have been paying wescott and moorcroft for the last 2 months without any hassle after send my I&E. Anyone new I’d stop all payments and wait for defaults. This also gives you time to save an emergency fund!

I too stopped all payments completely and got everything defaulted. I’m just waiting on MBNA to let me know if the accounts being passed on to someone to manage it then i’ll negotiate with them. I did have a good emergency fund saved until it took a massive hit this week on car repairs. I guess that’s what it’s there for I’m just not sure how or if I can replace it now.

Willing2Learn

lulabelle01 wrote: »

... I did have a good emergency fund saved until it took a massive hit this week on car repairs. I guess that’s what it’s there for I’m just not sure how or if I can replace it now.

Why not write to your creditors, explaining that you have to do emergency car repairs and that you will only be able to afford token payments for the next 3-6 months. That would give you a bit of breathing space to rebuild your EF.