DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part Three)

rayday2

franny wrote: »

Cloudnine

I know what you mean, it is ultimately my decision but I am just so confused with it all i'm got a permanent knot in my stomach.

I have been on the DMP with CCCS for a year and it has enabled me to grown in confidence and meet my debts head on no matter what the creditors throw at me. My new job now pays enough that I believe I can cover my minimum payments and still have enough to live on afterwards, I am very fortunate to be able to say that. What I now need to think is that once I start paying minimum payments the interest on the CCs will return and I am eager to lower that interest as much as possible.

I know that I am then paying money to my mum and not the cards but will be paying the loan repayment to her which although more than payments to my CCS, will ultimately lead to the debt being paid off quicker.

I am probably talking myself more into the idea but I fear I might be blinkered in my views hence my visit today.

I think you are jumping ahead and planning what companies are going to do if it was me I would take a step back.

Why not do the review with CCCS and wait for the reaction of the companies what if some never do charge interest? If you put them on cards etc you could be paying for the sake of it it. What if they do charge interest but its a lower rate than what your card or loan is?

What if you loose your job and you have taken a loan or credit card out in someone elses name is that fair??

Also what if your mum one day needs that credit line for something of her own and she can't get anymore? Or the interest goes up on them.

I think CCCS have done such a good job that you have become over confident, definately I would do the review and if the the worse happens you have a plan of action.

rayday2

cloudnine wrote: »

Its interesting how these phone calls from the creditors seem to come in waves. Nothing happens for a few days then, the phone rings, usually when you're off guard and at a low ebb. The truth is, what we all really want is for all our creditors to accept zero interest charges and never contact us ever again! Its not going to happen. Its the waiting for the calls that is disconcerting. I'm trying a 'Plan B'. I've created a script with the usual questions and answers: ie: "can you pay more?"..."No, I'm with CCCS, look at my income/expenditure breakdown." etc... I simply read the relevant answer to the creditors question over the phone. Sure, I feel like I'm a dalek, but, its keeps me cool and, my responses are factual and to the point, and, not bolshy. The other thing I do, is allocate two hours each week when I tell creditors they can call me. Take last night, MBNA phoned,so I told them to ring between 1000-1200 Friday. Its then up to them if they want to talk or not. And..on Friday morning, I'm ready for them! with script in hand. Just my way of coping. Because, its when they come out of the blue and catch you off guard that things / you..get wobbly !!!

Or plan b change your phone number :rotfl: I took the chicken way out!

I wonder if they are on bonuses at certain times of the month or something or if this is the week that they get in their next pay packet - who knows!

Marru

Hi,

Thank you all for such a great advice. I am feeling calmer already. Cloudnine that was a great idea of allowing certain hours per week for dealing with them. I shall use it. I have three CC's NatWest - no calls, no letters but have been adding interest, M&S - calls now and again perhaps every two to three weeks has been adding interest and penalty charges, Lloyds - a pain in the ... you know where.

I think I will also allocate a day every two weeks or so to keep writing letters to them untill I can get a proper written personal reply.

Marru

WhoopieDoodle

Our Payplan caseworker told us that callers earn a commission if they get you to pay more, or the whole amount. Hence the reason some of them are rather unpleasant.

cloudnine - I will pinch your idea of writing things down for a script. The debts are in OH name so only he can take the phone calls. Whilst he is on the phone, I scribble responses to their demands or prompt him! So, I will write every scenario down for him to read.

Marru, I set aside time to write to all the creditors that need a response, to up-date my records, up-date the amounts paid etc. It was doing this yesterday that put me in a glum mood, but at least it is done for a few days.

At first I was dealing with it all every day, but we need to try and switch off from it sometimes otherwise it gets too much.

WhoopieDoodle

Hello again. I wonder if anyone could help?

Do we ask for CCA now, or wait until we receive default notices (we know a couple are on their way)?

I'm really not sure what to do so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bigdi

Hi all! Has anyone had any dealings with Apex Credit Management? This is the first time I have dealt with a DCA who has threatened legal action after taking over my debt in less than 24 hours! PP said 'don't worry' and are sending the I&E etc on.

rayday2

Not dealt with them personally but I went on their website and they claim to be the brainchild of two former directors of Intrum Justitia who I have dealt with. I would take PP at their word and not worry - I suspect they go in hard straight away just to frighten you. PP will just offer them what the previous company were offered and treat them the same.

Just out of curiosity who was the original creditor?

Bigdi

Thanks Rayday. The creditor was Goldfish. When they answered the phone to me we had a '4 way conversation' as they didn't seem to know what to do with me and I had to speak very clear english and basically tell them what they would be doing next. i.e. you contact PP etc. I looked at their website as well and their mission statement doesn't bear itself out in the way the dealt with me. I talked to someone in a call centre abroad as well as the UK one. Watch this space!

rayday2

I would imagine if they were going ahead with legal action they would know exactly what they were doing next!

Intrum is actually the only time I have rung a DCA it was when I had two chasing one debt - all I know about their training is once they get an account number off you the phone line goes funny because they suddenly start shouting! Which just reminded me of why I usually write to them lol!

facingit

Hi i forwarded my papers to NDL on wednesday and had a call today to go over a few things before they forward them on for a dmp to hopefully start. One of my debts with skycard has been passed to eversheds who have sent me court papers for a ccj and then they have said that any offer to pay will be rejected and a charging order applied for, so at the moment NDL cant forward my details until a decision has been made regarding the ccj. Does anyone have any idea how long this usually takes and does anyone have any experience of a charging order. Thanks