Stepchange for 12years

RAS

It all rather depends on your current situation. You're unlikely to have the evidence to get irresponsible lending. 

But if you are now lower paid, heading for retirement, in receipt of benefits, you might try write offs later.

P.S, an SOA might be a good idea, just to check that your DMP is affordable.

Rob5342

RAS said:

There is a massive difference between enforceable and collectable. 

That's an important point to remember. If a debt has become statute barred or they can't produce the CCA then they can't take any legal action you make you pay it. Legally the debt still exists and you can pay it back f you so wish, but there is absolutely nothing they can do to make you. They often try and muddy the waters by calling it collectable, valid, payable, mentioning *further recovery action* or various other things. That's all to frighten people who don't understand the legalities and scare them into handing over money when there is no obligation at all for them to do so.

Be careful with Stepchange too. They can be useful but their advice always tends towards recovering as much as possible for the creditor even if that leaves you significantly worse off. It's much better to manage it yourself so you can make sure everything works in your interest. 

tritons0

Has anyone stopped with stepchange before and gone alone ? Easy to sort ? I’m going to ring them tomorrow 

Rob5342

tritons0 said:

Has anyone stopped with stepchange before and gone alone ? Easy to sort ? I’m going to ring them tomorrow 

I have and there was nothing to it. I emailed them to cancel the dmp, then juat set up standing orders to the various companies and sent them esch an email to say what I'd be paying. It's so much simpler paying what you want instead of having to try and keep Stepchange happy too. 

tritons0

Thank you , and I could also tell them I won’t be paying the ones that are unenforceable unless the CCAs turn up ? 

Rob5342

tritons0 said:

Thank you , and I could also tell them I won’t be paying the ones that are unenforceable unless the CCAs turn up ? 

I'd juat ignore them completely now, unless they send you a CCA or LBA . There ia always a chance that the CCA will be found later. They will have a whole load of debta they are chasimg so I don't see any point in drawing attention to yourself when they could be looking at someone elaes debt. 

tritons0

Perfect , I’ll get this done . Out of interest what’s a LBA ? And a SOA? . Been with step change for such a long time but when I spoke to them about the unenforceable letters they claimed to not really know what to do ? Hmmn . They’ve been very kind with me over the years but I need to ‘toughen up’ and crack on .
thank you all again for your advice 

tigergambit

Hi tritons, I don't think it has been mentioned but my understanding is that once a CCA has been requested creditors are required to suspend collection until it is provided. So you can stop paying all until that happens.

Leaving Stepchange is straightforward as described - never forget who they are funded by.

tigergambit

tritons0 said:

Perfect , I’ll get this done . Out of interest what’s a LBA ? And a SOA? . Been with step change for such a long time but when I spoke to them about the unenforceable letters they claimed to not really know what to do ? Hmmn . They’ve been very kind with me over the years but I need to ‘toughen up’ and crack on .
thank you all again for your advice 

LAB = Letter Before Action (They're taking you to court - you're some way before this as they need a CCA first to have any prospect of winning but look out for these as they require a prompt response)

SOA = Statement of Account (Your financial position)

Rob5342

An LBA is a letter before action, creditors have to send this before they take any legal action. An SOA is a statement of affairs, which is a statement showing all yout income, outgoings etc so people can advise on your situation. There is a link to a template around somewhere.

Stepchange can be helpful but they are funded by the creditors so they are in an awkward position whetr they have to try an keep them happy. As a result they are reluctant to get involved in anything that might disadvantage creditors especially if that means treating one differently to others. If you manage the DMP yourself then you can forget all that and do whatever benefits you. Lots of people use Stepchange to get started and then manage it themselves once they are familiar with the process and want more flexibility