Tell or no tell ?

135K

Does anyone know 1st hand, what actually happens if you start telling the card companies that you cant pay them this month?

I went to CAB , but was basically told I wouldn't get any help until I defaulted.

In the past I have borrowed more , to pay the cards

so - are they helpfull about it, or do they screw you over ?

ta

RAS

Hi

Start by doing your SOA so we can see what the problem is. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280

Also CCCS have an on-line remedy that you can use without having to have counselling if you want, need to.

Broken_hearted

It depends on the company some are great, others stiff you.

135K

is there a thread anywhere listing the nice ones and the not nice ones ? and how to go about approaching them ?

elliethecat

As an ex-employee of the Citizens Advice Bureau I sincerely hope that this wasn't the full or only advice you were given with regard to your financial situation as it is neither helpful or accurate. As Broken Hearted says it will very much depend on the company you are dealing with and also on your track record with them. However, any CAB adviser worth their salt will know that the CAB have very specific information systens containing guidelines governing advice given to clients. I can only hope you receive more practical advice from the knowledgable DFW's on this site.

135K

I was realy disappointed with the CAB . I asked about IVA's and the consequences, and it soon became apparent he didn't have a clue. I asked what experience he had helping people with IVA's, he stuttered a bit and said - oh , I am just the front line, there are others who might know, but whilst I was still upto date with my payments there is not alot they can do !! ??

I wanted to know how to approach my debts with the best all round plan for my / mywifes financial situation and self employment !

what a waste of a morning that was !

for a while now, we have been scraping by , by the skin of our teeth, and its starting to ware us down . I just wanted to know what all the options and consequences were !

I found the debt agencies not much help as we are self employed, and our house is worth too much for free legal aid or whatever it was (it was last year when I phoned them all)

At the end of the day we could sell up and be just about clear . but that is a last resort.

when the season picks up a bit things will be better, but struggling to pay one bill at a time is stopping me earning propper money, that might take a few months to get one (big) payment.

hence the question about the credit cards - we just need a bit of breathing space !

Merlot

135K you need professional help, call the cccs tomorrow morning, they are a debt charity and they will help you now not when you have defaulted.

http://www.cccs.co.uk/

Could you post a mini SOA, incomings/outgoings/debts.

Do you have any secured loans? This can make all the difference.

We are here to help you, just need a little more info.

Merlot.x.

135K

Thanks Merlot

I tried them last year.

I just did the online thing now - self employed = phone them.

I'm pretty sure , a few more questions and they say - no sorry , cant help !

anyhow - no offense to anyone keen to help me, but I would just like to be able to ask a question and have it answered - then ask another and so on and so forth.

I asked here last year, and gave up because I couldn't find out what I wanted to know.

this time its just - should I tell the cc or not

and now ....

which ones are helpfull.

I am upto date with all my payments - no lates , none missed. Had most of my accounts 10 to 15 yrs , never been outside there rules . Yes I was a card tart, but now they have changed the rules - moved the goal posts etc, and I am stuggling to play the game when they keep changing the rules !

I had a long term plan - to use my full credit available to fund a project or two (as I have done in the past) that gives a substantial pay out at the end. but now they have cut the limits and hiked up the rates, I am stuck

yes I am annoyed - I was playing by there rules, and they were falling overthemselves to lend me more money. I was just using it

If they had kept everything the same - I would have finished my project last year and payed them all back. Now I cant do either.

anyway - I digress ....

which are the nicer ones ?

Merlot

135K,

I haven't yet known CCCS not to be able to help someone, people from CCCS post on this board and will personally bump up this thread tomorrow so they can see it and maybe they will offer you some advice.

There are other companies you can use...do not use the companies off the TV, they charge you a fee,

Consumer Credit Counselling Service - Website: CCCS Telephone: 0800 138 1111
National Debtline - Website: National Debtline Telephone: 0808 808 4000
Citizens Advice Bureau - Website: Citizens Advice or visit your local CAB centre (find nearest
Community Legal Advice - Website: Community Legal Advice Telephone: 0845 345 4 345

MBNA are B*stards I know that much, other than that, I don't know.

Merlot.x.

135K

Ta

I'm ok with MBNA till june. 3.9%. but, they have just sent me a letter saying the rat will then be 30 odd % :rotfl:you gotta laugh :eek:

Merlot

Do you owe much on the MBNA card?

I do think we could help you more if you post an SOA, I know I'm pushing it keep saying it, but we want to try and help you.

Merlot.x.