In Big Trouble - Help, Advice Please...

Me2_3

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and the UK, having moved here just a few weeks ago. I have carried over some debt from Ireland, where I was living before, and am in a bind. I have only just started working, and it is not yet paying fantastically well, but the loan issuer in Ireland has now lost patience and apparently sent two (what I assume are) bailiffs to my former address in Dublin today (prior to the move to London I did miss some payments as well).

Now I am seeking some guidance and advice here - I do, and always have, intend to pay the loan back, however until such time as I break even here (probably another month) there is little chance of me being able to send payments back to Ireland.

In £££ I owe just on £6900.

For some this may not seem much but for me it looks like an insurmountable problem. The pressure from this debt is affecting me on a number of levels, and health wise especially (I am permanently stressed, nervous, frightened even). I am not accustomed to having debt and the prospect of someone taking legal action against me frightens me.

I have an appointment with my bank tomorrow, but doubt they will be able to help as I have only been here 7 weeks, and have also approached DebtAdvice for an appointment to see if they can help.

Is there anything else that I can do? Is there any way I can get the loan company (GE Money if you know them) to hold off until such time as I can resume regular repayments on the loan?

GeorgeUK

It is probably debt collectors that were at your old house - bailiffs are appointed by the court, and if this has not yet gone to court, could not be bailiffs.

I'd wait a few weeks until you are sure of your income/expenditure here so that you have an idea of how much you can repay before getting in touch with them.

Me2_3

GeorgeUK wrote: »

It is probably debt collectors that were at your old house - bailiffs are appointed by the court, and if this has not yet gone to court, could not be bailiffs.

I'd wait a few weeks until you are sure of your income/expenditure here so that you have an idea of how much you can repay before getting in touch with them.

This is what I had intended to do, however these guys apparently said they can/will track me down here (which I am sure they can do as both my bank and place of work in Ireland have my address) - if they get to me before I can sort payments out what happens?

GeorgeUK

First, calm down.

When you say - "if they get to me"
They'll want their money. You can show them your income and expenditure and make arrangements to pay. There are free debt charities you can contact if you are unsure how to go about this, but it's quite common. Look on the board for DMP (Debt management plan)

(Taken from Fermi's signature)

Professional, free and impartial advice on debt problems can be obtained from several charitable and 'not for profit' organisations. They never make a penny from the advice they give, which means it will be given with only your best interests at heart. You can contact:

Your local CAB Office and ask to speak to a 'money advisor'
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) - Tel: 0800 138 1111
National Debtline - Tel: 0808 808 4000
Payplan - Tel: 0800 917 7823

Me2_3

So it is obvious that I am panicking?

I really cannot cope with all of this. Am just hoping to get it resolved quickly and get repayments set up again.

Anything for a quiet life...