DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 4)

MurrayMint

simbalou wrote: »

Afternoon everyone :hello:

I'm just going through all my CCCS paperwork and debtors statements and thought it might help people starting out if I list who have stopped interest and charges in my plan (made 3 payments to CCCS so far)....
...
Halifax, Tesco, Egg, Barclaycard, Argos additions, Intelligent Finance and Marbles not even acknowledged dmp yet and constantly adding charges to my accounts.

The only people that hounded me with phonecalls was Halifax but that's stopped now too.

Hope that helps someone

Hi simbalou

Your post above dates back to August this year... Could I please ask whether Halifax and Tescos are still adding interest and charges to your accounts?
I'm 3 months into my DMP and these guys are doing the same to me

Many, Many Thanks,
MM

Dizzie77

Hey all - just catching up with this thread...
I've had my DMP since July with a debt of just over £20k and had my review last month....
I am sooooooo grateful to the CCCS for their help in settng up my DMP. I was in such a state - physically and emotionally before I found out about them - quite literally on the edge.

Now my DMP is running smoothly - some of my creditors have stopped the interest payments, others have reduced them...and I now have money (although not a lot) left in the bank at the end of the month.
I don't have an overdraft, I don't have a debit card (and obviously, I don't have a credit card....!)
I love my statements from CCCS - the latest shows that my debt is now below £18k (only just!)

After my review last month, i am increasing my DMP payments by £6 a month, which means that in 3 years, i will be debt free....

I am indebted to CCCS and MSE - thanks guys.....

I am happy to support/help anyone in Gloucester going through the process if anyone wants to get in touch.

cocker100

Hi,

Tesco are one of my creditors. They defaulted the account vertually straight away when my DMP started over a year ago. They also stopped all interest and charges vertually immediately. Not bad as they are my biggest single debt at over £8000.

Cocker:)

simbalou

Hi Murraymint,

Funny you should ask the question about Halifax, I've had a run-in with them this weekend. Unfortunately they are still charging interest and fees, my debt with them has gone up by £450 since I started my dmp (July). They regularly ring asking for payment and then realise that they shouldn't be ringing me but continue to ask for money anyway. TBH I'm not that concerned because I will be putting a claim in for the unfair charges as soon as they stop adding them, they know I'm with CCCS but are just trying it on.

Just stay focused and don't budge from what they have been offered, they'll back down one day and hopefully go away with their tail between their legs!

Hope that helped

simbalou

Forgot to say that Tesco are no longer charging though, they stopped within 6 weeks and have accepted payments now. They don't call or write anymore thank goodness!!!

MurrayMint

Thanks Cocker, thanks Simbalou,

Wish Tesco's were being nice to me. They defaulted my account straight away, writing to tell me that they would do this before they could consider a DMP arrangement. But unfortunately they haven't corresponded at all since, just sending the monthly statements showing interest and charges.

I don't understand what Halifax are doing then !?!?!? Just trying to make as much money as possible from people who already can't afford to live and repay existing debt :mad:

It's in such contrast to my biggest creditor MBNA (3 x CC's totalling about 20k, 50% of debt) why are being really good about this. I know they're not good to everyone though, which is the biggest frustration about this whole thing... the lottery of how your DMP will be recieved!

Sorry, am on a downer about the net increase in debt since September. I'm £500 more in debt now, that's after the £450 payments I've made. At this rate, the DMP is no solution.

I plan to have a review with CCCS this month to increase my payments. I have cancelled my company pension payment, have carefully calculated my DD's nursery fees though to Sept (when she starts school) and have had a (tiny) payrise, so all in all I plan to increase my payments from £144 to £345:T:eek::T:eek:

The great thing about this is that it brings my DFD to 10 years!

Thanks
MM

cocker100

I thought that once an account was defaulted, all interest and charges were stopped automatically as the credit aggreement determining these amounts no longer exists.

MurrayMint

Hmmn, I'm getting my facts wrong! Tesco's sent a Notice of Default in August, but I haven't actually got a letter telling me the account has been defaulted. I've also checked my statements and they are charging me £50 per month interest, but they last charged me late payment and over limit fees (£24 total) in August. So it seems that they have stopped charging me fees, but continue to apply interest at the full rate.

The other one that is not playing ball is GE Money. Rather annoyingly they sent a letter a couple of months ago to say that they would accept my arrangement for 6 months, stopping interest and charges. But the statements still show interest. Now I've realised that they letter quotes an account number completely different from my statements :rolleyes:. I need to phone them tomorrow and hope that this is a mistake in my favour... but I suspect not

I have double checked Halifax and they are charging me interest and a late fee every month. The saving grace is that the interest rate is low. But it still more that swallows up my DMP payment.

Grrrrrrrr! I HATE THIS MESS I'VE GOT MYSELF IN

I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel right now

Dizzie77

MurrayMint wrote: »

I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel right now

MurrayMint - don't give up.
You need to phone GE tomorrow and find out what's happening there - have you got any other accounts with them?
Get that sorted and you may well be pleasantly surprised....

Then when you've sorted that, phone CCCS and ask their advice about Halifax. Surely they shouldn't be adding to your debt if they have agreed to DMP Payments.

It's no fun, is it - I know....especially with all the bloomin' adverts on tv reminding you that it's almost Christmas...!
But you're not alone in this situation, and it can be sorted out - it's not the end of the world, you just need to remain patient and speak to GE and Halifax.

Report back tomorrow and let us know what they've said :beer:

Jvic28

sunshine38 wrote: »

I've noticed a few mentions of the worry of Christmas approaching ... I was wondering myself as to how everyone else was feeling. I cant help but fret about it too. I never realised just HOW MUCH we used to rely on credit to get us through.

I just wish I could wake up and Xmas be all over with. I think I've got enough to get a few little prezzies for people but it's the worry of it all. I just want it over with. Roll on next year when hopefully I'll be a bit better off.