Bankruptcy and gambling stories

rachy185

Hi

I've had all necessary advice and currently working with citizens advice. I am going to go bankrupt soon. I owe around 52k its mix of cost of living, spending silly then getting money transfers from cards back into my account and some gambling.

I'd like to hear your stories regarding how the or interview went with regards to gambling.

I never used to the cards to direct gamble but I'd use my own money then cover the costs by doing money transfers but it was always a mix of covering bills, paying other debts, cost of living and gambling.

I'm just worried when it comes to the interview as how to explain it all - I've had different bank accounts and now can't access statements.

I'm aware of bro/bru so that could be a possibility but I I just want to generally hear the stories of people who went down the same route.

Thankyou 

sourcrates

What your really asking is - "Am I going to be crucified by the OR for my past financial mistakes prior to declaring bankruptcy" ?

The answer is No, you won`t.

The Official Receiver is not there to hand out punishment, or to rebuke you on how you have behaved in the past, all they are interested in are the basic facts of how you ended up where you are now.

They won`t need to hear your life story, or all your about your failings, they just need to have the facts, so when they ask how did this all happen, you simply tell them what you have told us - "it was always a mix of covering bills, paying other debts, cost of living and gambling".

If they want clarification on any articular point, they will ask you about it, don`t offer information that is not asked for, no one will be looking to trip you up, its simply a fact finding mission, nothing more.

rachy185

sourcrates said:

What your really asking is am - "I going to be crucified by the OR for my past financial mistakes prior to declaring bankruptcy" ?

The answer is No, you won`t.

The Official Receiver is not there to hand out punishment, or to rebuke you on how you have behaved in the past, all they are interested in are the basic facts of how you ended up where you are now.

They won`t need to hear your life story, or all your about your failings, they just need to have the facts, so when they ask how did this all happen, you simply tell them what you have told us - "it was always a mix of covering bills, paying other debts, cost of living and gambling".

If they want clarification on any articular point, they will ask you about it, don`t offer information that is not asked for, no one will be looking to trip you up, its simply a fact finding mission, nothing more.

Thankyou this helps alot, I've been fully honest on the form just saving money now to pay for the fee

Morfx

First time I've popped back in roughly a year...

You are exactly where I was three years ago..  Same circumstances..

Be truthful and honest..  

The OR will not judge you.  It's a process, just remember that.

Expect a BRU/BRO (the gambling added a year to mine) 

There is light at the end of the tunnel.. you just need to step in to the unknown..

(It's not as bad as you may think)

Best decision I ever made..

Feel free to reach out if needed 👍

All the best

cymruchris

Be as upfront and honest as you can be - don't try to hide anything - if there's something you're not sure of as  you can't access the data - tell them that. As stated above - they aren't there to judge you, look down on you, criticise you for any decisions you've made, they're only interested in the current position and the circumstances that got you to where you are now. If you tried to sweep information under the carpet that came out later, it could negatively affect your discharge time. (I'm sure that's not your intention - and that you're only worried about being judged and criticised). Wishing you the best of luck though, and hope that when you're through it on the other side, you're able to make a clean, fresh start and move your life forwards.

rachy185

Morfx said:

First time I've popped back in roughly a year...

You are exactly where I was three years ago..  Same circumstances..

Be truthful and honest..  

The OR will not judge you.  It's a process, just remember that.

Expect a BRU/BRO (the gambling added a year to mine) 

There is light at the end of the tunnel.. you just need to step in to the unknown..

(It's not as bad as you may think)

Best decision I ever made..

Feel free to reach out if needed 👍

All the best

This is very reassuring thankyou, the only problem is I can't figure out an amount I've gambled the past 2 years and this is needed in the application. I've changed banks 2 times but I have requested all these statements so it's easier to pass on to the or 

rachy185

cymruchris said:

Be as upfront and honest as you can be - don't try to hide anything - if there's something you're not sure of as  you can't access the data - tell them that. As stated above - they aren't there to judge you, look down on you, criticise you for any decisions you've made, they're only interested in the current position and the circumstances that got you to where you are now. If you tried to sweep information under the carpet that came out later, it could negatively affect your discharge time. (I'm sure that's not your intention - and that you're only worried about being judged and criticised). Wishing you the best of luck though, and hope that when you're through it on the other side, you're able to make a clean, fresh start and move your life forwards.

Thankyou so much, ill definitely be honest as much as I can remember. I've requested all bank statements so hopefully that will help along the process, I have no clue what's been spent but the debt is definitely a mix of a few things. It's such a scary process but I'm sure I'll be so much happier once it's done with

philnicandevan

Another good read here as well.....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1802595/diary-of-a-broken-gambler/p1

rachy185

philnicandevan said:

Another good read here as well.....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1802595/diary-of-a-broken-gambler/p1

Thankyou this was a good read

Minkym00

rachy185 said:

Morfx said:

First time I've popped back in roughly a year...

You are exactly where I was three years ago..  Same circumstances..

Be truthful and honest..  

The OR will not judge you.  It's a process, just remember that.

Expect a BRU/BRO (the gambling added a year to mine) 

There is light at the end of the tunnel.. you just need to step in to the unknown..

(It's not as bad as you may think)

Best decision I ever made..

Feel free to reach out if needed 👍

All the best

This is very reassuring thankyou, the only problem is I can't figure out an amount I've gambled the past 2 years and this is needed in the application. I've changed banks 2 times but I have requested all these statements so it's easier to pass on to the or 

Although the application asks for the amount you have gambled, don’t worry about getting the figure spot on. What they are looking for is if the amount is material. If you’ve gambled £5 of a £50k debt then the OR is unlikely to pursue it further. If it’s £40k however then it’s very likely to have materially caused your bankruptcy and they likely will ask for a BRU from you. 

rachy185

Minkym00 said:

rachy185 said:

Morfx said:

First time I've popped back in roughly a year...

You are exactly where I was three years ago..  Same circumstances..

Be truthful and honest..  

The OR will not judge you.  It's a process, just remember that.

Expect a BRU/BRO (the gambling added a year to mine) 

There is light at the end of the tunnel.. you just need to step in to the unknown..

(It's not as bad as you may think)

Best decision I ever made..

Feel free to reach out if needed 👍

All the best

This is very reassuring thankyou, the only problem is I can't figure out an amount I've gambled the past 2 years and this is needed in the application. I've changed banks 2 times but I have requested all these statements so it's easier to pass on to the or 

Although the application asks for the amount you have gambled, don’t worry about getting the figure spot on. What they are looking for is if the amount is material. If you’ve gambled £5 of a £50k debt then the OR is unlikely to pursue it further. If it’s £40k however then it’s very likely to have materially caused your bankruptcy and they likely will ask for a BRU from you. 

Thankyou I honestly have no idea although I gambled alot I also won alot so don't think I've lost too much if that makes sense