Just had 1st phone call with OR office could do with some advice please.

Worried3648

Hi,

I've spoken to the OR's office this morning. She rung this morning and said she needed to speak to me ASAP about my debt. I had to arrange on my break because she said Thursday my day off was too late.I told her that I didn't have any documents with me, she said I didn't need them.

She proceeded to speak about my debts and how they were incurred etc. She asked about a loan I took out 2 years ago as a consolidation and said she can't see any significant sums paid off, and it was irresponsible to take out more credit when I was already in trouble financially.

I tried to remember but felt very pressured and had to say that I would need to order and look at all my statements from around that time to see exactly what it had been spent on.

 She did tell me off and said it looks like it was extravagant and I might have my bankruptcy extended because of it. I admitted that I know I have made mistakes and things have spiralled .

She said I will have a phone call about my SOA within the next 2 months and will find out if my bankruptcy is extended within 6 months.

Can I ask what the usual extension is on a bankruptcy if they have found me to be extravagant and "irresponsible" ? The loan was £5k if that helps. She said there is no hard and fast rule on times of extension so could not give me a guide. I thought someone may have an idea.

I did feel pretty judged although she said she was not judging me as she could see my outgoings outweighed my incomings with day to day expenses.

Any advice much appreciated thank you.

sammy32683

Sorry to hear that, I think you've had one of the ORs who are quite strict which is unfortunate.

Normally they only look at large loans taken out within 2 years of going bankrupt unless it is gambling related so it does seem a bit harsh she is saying this for a 5k loan 2 years ago.

Hopefully after you look at what it was spent on and straighten this out it may be an extension isn't needed. 

I don't remember seeing many people posting about their BR being extended so can't help with what is normally done sorry. 

Sonic101

Hi Worried3648
Sounds like the person you spoke to was unnecessarily nasty to you. :-(
There is some useful information on Debt Camel about bankruptcy extensions (BRO/BRUs) - I am assuming that is what she is talking about. Check this out: https://debtcamel.co.uk/bankruptcy-restriction-order-bro/ . 
If might well be that when your case is reviewed fully they decide that you weren't necessarily extravagant (it doesn't sound like you were), but I guess if you do get a BRO, it won't be a particularly long one, and unless you were going for certain jobs or applying for credit again within the time, it wouldn't in practice make much difference to your life.  

fatbelly

Sounds harsh to me too
A BRO would be 3 years at the most from looking at the Restrictions Register - though frankly most 3-year cases there are worse than this one.
Sounds like someone at the OR office was having a bad day.

Minkym00

90% of bankrupts take out credit they can't afford. If you gave any of it away or if it was spent extravagantly (i.e. holiday, car worth more than necessary, gambling) then you would be looking at having your bankruptcy restrictions extended. If you spent the funds on consolidating debt or on general household living expenses you have nothing to worry about.

Worried3648

sammy32683 said:

Sorry to hear that, I think you've had one of the ORs who are quite strict which is unfortunate.

Normally they only look at large loans taken out within 2 years of going bankrupt unless it is gambling related so it does seem a bit harsh she is saying this for a 5k loan 2 years ago.

Hopefully after you look at what it was spent on and straighten this out it may be an extension isn't needed. 

I don't remember seeing many people posting about their BR being extended so can't help with what is normally done sorry. 

Thanks for the advice I'm hoping that the statements will shed a bit more light on things. The OR sent me an email today and put kind regards on the end, she must know realise she was !!!!!! with me! 

Worried3648

Sonic101 said:

Hi Worried3648
Sounds like the person you spoke to was unnecessarily nasty to you. :-(
There is some useful information on Debt Camel about bankruptcy extensions (BRO/BRUs) - I am assuming that is what she is talking about. Check this out: https://debtcamel.co.uk/bankruptcy-restriction-order-bro/ . 
If might well be that when your case is reviewed fully they decide that you weren't necessarily extravagant (it doesn't sound like you were), but I guess if you do get a BRO, it won't be a particularly long one, and unless you were going for certain jobs or applying for credit again within the time, it wouldn't in practice make much difference to your life.  

Thank you for the reassurance. I do think she was a bit mean, luckily I have a thick skin. I was really nice to her throughout the phone call so hopefully she felt remorseful afterwards. It doesn't sound like a BRO is the end of the world if it happens, hopefully when I receive the statements I will be able to track and pin point the spend and take some worry off. 

Worried3648

Minkym00 said:

90% of bankrupts take out credit they can't afford. If you gave any of it away or if it was spent extravagantly (i.e. holiday, car worth more than necessary, gambling) then you would be looking at having your bankruptcy restrictions extended. If you spent the funds on consolidating debt or on general household living expenses you have nothing to worry about.

Thank you for the advice and reassurance. I know I wasn't extravagant so I will be able to trace the spending when I receive the statements. 

Worried3648

fatbelly said:

Sounds harsh to me too
A BRO would be 3 years at the most from looking at the Restrictions Register - though frankly most 3-year cases there are worse than this one.
Sounds like someone at the OR office was having a bad day.

Thanks fatbelly it's a shame I had to face her bad mood but probably better it be me than someone who would struggle to deal with that. It sounds like a BRO is not as bad as it sounds, hopefully I'll receive the statements soon. 

Worried3648

TVAS said:

I don't think you read my post properly. I didn't ask for money saving "tips" or judgement. I don't need to justify my circumstances to anyone. Please try and be a bit kinder when posting, I can take it but it may be just the thing that pushes some people over the edge! 

luvchocolate

Unfortunately this poster is saying all kinds of rubbish on these boards. 
I have reported them