DMP Repayments

ashamedjelly

Morning all
I'm doing a self managed DMP - 6 of my 8 unsecured debts have now defaulted and sold on to the likes of PRA, Cabot and Lowell. 
I have begun paying these through their websites but when I go to set up a regular payment, all of them require a minimum payment - min £50 a month, but there are a couple that are demanding £150 a month. 
I'm still in the process of saving into my emergency fund, so wanted to pay a lot lower than this (around £30-£50 a month each). What can I do? Should I just set up a standing order for the amount I want to pay regardless? Is this likely to have any knock on impact with the three companies? 
Thanks

Grumpelstiltskin

Yes  set up standing orders for what you want to pay, ignore this ' you must pay XYZ'  they won't refuse your money.

Remember you are in charge not them, change your mindset.

RAS

If you set up a payment via the debt collectors website, it is most likely going to be direct debt. You need to avoid these as they can be altered without your consent, they just heed to notify you. That place you back in the situation where paying consumer debts threatens to prevent you paying priority debt.

Set up Standing Orders with your bank using the account details and reference code. Work out how much you can afford in total, and pro rata. Consider reducing the total a bit and put the bit aside. You can always make the odd one off payment if you have spare money from the set aside.

MEM62

ashamedjelly said:

I have begun paying these through their websites but when I go to set up a regular payment, all of them require a minimum payment - min £50 a month, but there are a couple that are demanding £150 a month. 

They can 'require' and 'demand' whatever they want but they are not in control - you are.  Pay them what you determine you can afford.    

ashamedjelly

Hello again. 
Since my last post, I cancelled all of my DD's with PRA, Lowell and Cabot and replaced them with standing orders for between £30-£50 a month depending on the amount of the o/s debt. 
Since then, it appears I have awaken the beast and the calls/texts from these companies are incessant - messages, calls and voicemails saying they need to speak to me about the payments. 
Rationally I know that this is just a scare tactic to make me pay more, but is the advice to just hold fire? They are getting money in every month, just not the minimum amount they are demanding. 
Thanks everyone 

Grumpelstiltskin

Block all the numbers you can, don't look at texts or E Mails.

Open anything you get through snail mail.

They are trying to poke you into paying more, don't let them.