Advice Please - Cccs

cloudnine_2

Hi. I'm about to have an appointment with CCCS, actually this Friday. Due to our business failing, I have a £77K debt, and most of this on credit cards. Its a real mess and has finally caught me up. The old juggling scenario I'm afraid. I'm concerned that the card companies won't agree to a fair repayment plan, and moreover, scared stiff that they have a crack at my home and pension. I Also, I need to retain two credit cards for my job. Will this be possible or will all this be flagged up to the world ??!! I haven't spoken to my bank yet, but as soon as they know ( I have a personal loan with NatWest 16K) I guess they'll take my next salary in its entirity. Perhaps moving my bank account to another bank might be a prudent move? I'd be grateful for any guidance. Thanks...

HHH_2

GET A NEW BANK ACCOUNT NOW! sadly I failed to do this and so Lloyds cleaned out my salary againt my loan repayment and cc. I found the co op to be most helpful but maybe it's quicker to do it on line there will be someone hopefully who can advise better re which bank. In regard to CCCS they are FANTASTIC, they wont judge you but should be totally honest, dont worry they have heard it all before and worse. If you dont declare everything you will only have it hanging over your head and it will continue to worry you.Just a thought but you can do it on line with CCCS ,put in all your details and it comes back with an instant answer as to the best course of action and it's anonymous (sp?). You can still continue with your appointment on friday.make sure you have everything written down or all paperwork to hand ready for your call. good luck.

cloudnine_2

HHH, what a fast and useful reply, thanks. I've now opened a bank account with L TSB so I'll get my salary and DDs moved into there fast. I'm going to retain two credit cards for my job, as I couldn't work with cash alone. Eg, confirming hotels etc. I guess it remains now with the decision of my creditors to accept a much lower payment. I'm prepared for some to say no. Thanks again

malestrom07

Hi, you will have problems with the other creditors if you retain other credit cards. If they look at the credit report it will show that you are maintaining payments to some creditors but not all and they'll start !!!!!ing about not receiving a fair share. It makes sense that you need the credit cards but collections departments won't see it like that. The CR only shows balances spent and cleared and not the purchases. A cheap to run pre paid credit card would do the trick here though.

Let me know if you'd like a clearer explanation. Good luck.

cloudnine_2

Thanks so much. I like the idea about getting a prepaid credit card. Any idea where one should go...Are there some better cards than others please?

malestrom07

There are a few good comparison reviews around, I've just applied for the Sun card, 6.95 set up fee, no credit check, £5.00 free credit when you join.

I'll only use it for spare parts from Ebay and cheap holiday flights so a slight percentage on top is irrelevant to me. Perhaps others will have further comment.

cloudnine_2

Good idea about using the top up credit card for Ebay. I have a site and will look into that. Following your feedback I applied for a Virgin top up cc this afternoon. I tried for a post office card but had problems with them finding my address via the post code. Phoned them and they told me to go to my local post office and sign up there. Your advice has really helped as I was so worried that I'd be stranded without a card for my extensive overseas business travel. without a cc I'd be sunk! I guess the main challenge now is for me to save the cash to credit the top up c cards !!! Thanks again

malestrom07

I have had a lot of stick from others regarding top up cards, however they have worked for me and my savings always outweight a small percentage fee. I'm trawling the net looking for comparisons as we speak.

mrs_mab

I've got a Quidity prepaid card (www.quiditycard.com), but it's best to look for one that suits you. There's a good comparison site - Which Prepaid Card (http://www.which-prepaid-card.co.uk/) that could help?

louise3965

Only thing is you can't use them to book hire cars abroad usually so just beware

cloudnine_2

Thanks Louise. Note your comment about the hire car rental. I'm praying though that this doesn't apply to confirming hotel bookings overseas as otherwise I'm up a river without a paddle !!!

I have another question..sorry, they keep popping up as I approach my CCCS appointment ! Can my creditors have a crack at my pension or is that protected? Thanks to all