I've been totally stupid

[ZoyaDestroyer]

I made an enquiry online today to Stepchange. Except it turns out it wasn't stepchange.
I gave them all my details, and sent copies of bank statements, tax credits award, everything.

What the fuck do I do?

They have enough to use id for scams so keep an eye on credit dashboard if applications have been made etc. If you have a poor credit rating perhaps less so. May be they could use your details for fake id.

I think I would be wary if you start to get offers which seem too good to be true.

I'm on universal credit. A Debt relief order sounds amazing. Would I have to close my current account ? No overdraft on it.

Also have a look at the Money Advice Service website. They have a list of free advice charities.

I have no idea, best thing to do is get an appointment with an advisor at CAB, they can help.

I'm on universal credit. A Debt relief order sounds amazing. Would I have to close my current account ? No overdraft on it.

I do debt advice as part of my job. Unless you have your own business and want to keep trading, or own a property, a DRO is probably the best option.

It depends who you bank with. Some banks will happily switch you to a basic bank account, others want to close your a/c and open one elsewhere. Metrobank are particularly amenable.

DRO applications can only be made by authorised debt advisers, so you need to go via Christians Aganst Poverty, Step Change, CAB, local money advice service or similar.

They're a brilliant solution for people without property and unmanageable, unsecured debt of £5k-£20k. You can even get council tax arrears and benefit overpayments written off. I've supported many clients through the process, and it's life-changing.

We include a lot of financial coaching to help them make sure they don't get into debt again, too.

LakieLady thank you so much for taking the time to post, that is really helpful, and I have hope again! Part of my debt is a tax credits overpayment, and I also had an advance on my universal credit that is costing me £95 per month.

The stress of these debts looming is tipping me over the edge. I'm getting help and support from a domestic abuse charity, and my GP is bring amazing, but it all just seems never ending.

Keep a close eye on your UC account and change the passwords, etc, as they could potentially notify a change of bank account, address, request an advance, increase housing costs, etc, etc.

After all, UC want your username, password and where you were born - I think your driving licence provides the last of these and a lot of people use their name and DOB for user names/passwords.

Hi OP - it was an easy mistake to make. A lot of the sites look similar so don’t feel silly or embarrassed.

The link to report fraud

www.actionfraud.police.uk/how-to-report-fraud

Two reputable sites are

gov.uk

Citizensadvice.org.uk

You can use links from them. (Note there are similar named sites. I think MN has link to citizens advice in the Money section if you are wary of using mine.)

If you prefer to see someone face to face there are a number of organisations such as citizens advice that can offer this. You should never be pay just for debt advice - use a charity, though there may be costs associated with debt solutions.

@ZoyaDestroyer

OP, did StepChange not mention the debt relief order to you? I'm really surprised if not. My dad had one years back, they helped him. He paid a small sum, I think it was about £90, maybe less, and they got it all sorted for him.

They didn't Penny. They said I should contact all my creditors and ask for a payment break whilst my situation is as it is. I have a monthly deficit of £400 at the moment !!

I’ve just been on StepChange’s website, and there is a full page warning about these scammers

I’m so sorry OP. I hope nothing bad happens. These scammers are disgusting for preying on people in a crisis. Makes my blood boil.

It's a bit late, but in case you find any of the info useful: www.stepchange.org/make-sure-its-us.aspx

Shit! Do you own your own house? For the DRO, you can't be a homeowner or have any extravagant assets.

My dad had to write up a budget, of what income he gets and what has to be paid from it, so all the bills, food, even toiletries and send it off to them. To prove he didn't have enough money left afterwards to pay the debts. They were really, really helpful and it was easy.

I hope you can get it sorted, and FWIW, you weren't stupid. I think many people wouldn't notice the difference in the website, it's how they're so successful, the sneaky bastards. Don't be hard on yourself, you sound under immense stress and it's easy to make a mistake.

Thank you for your kind words penny. I'm not a homeowner. My car is worth about 2k but that's my only asset

Iv managed to get my debt written off via stepchange and I had to pay a one off fee to get this as my ex got me into thousands of pounds worth of debt and when iv left him I can't afford to pay it back as iv has to leave work.... my parents also did an IVA through them and paid half back and the other half was wrote off. I'm sure if you ring them and explain you can't afford to live they will be able to help x

But whilst it was getting sorted they did say to offer a "token" payment but the creditors laughed at me. You sound in the boat I was in. Domestic abuse can't really help but if you explain that to them it does go better for you... you pay a £90 fee and it's all written off. It's like a weight lifted that you didn't put that! And for universal credit if you are struggling you contact them and then they can stop
Taking for the advance payments for a while until your on your feet.
Hope your okay. You'll get through it just need speak to the right person x

Someone recommended Christians Against Poverty. They are dodgy and not recommended by the advice charity I volunteer for.

www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2018/10/the-questionable-ethics-of-evangelical-debt-advice/

I disagree re CAP..they are an organisation open to anyone.They do fantastic work but yes are Christians so if that’s a problem then you probably not for you

You don't need to do debt management via a company, they normally charge £50 or a month to do it. You can write out your own income and expenditure, list you debts and work out what proportion of the amount you have to pay creditors out and make an offer for the debt management plan, requesting that they waive interest.

If your disposalable is £90 what are your total debts?

Total debts are 10,000

Income / expenditure done with Stepchange shows monthly deficit of £400.

@ZoyaDestroyer are you 100% sure your car's worth £2k? The only reason I ask is you can't have a DRO if your vehicle is worth more than £1,000 unfortunately. It would be worth doing a quick check on Parker's website, which is the site the insolvency service use to get a valuation. It seems like the only stumbling block for you. I'd steer clear of an IVA if I were you - they're rarely the best option.

Have you thought about identity theft @ZoyaDestroyer they have your photo driving licence

Hello there, I got in a financial situation too. Get yourself on the 'debt free wannabe' forum, on themoneysavingexpert website (not sure if someone has already mentioned).

I am also with Payplan, who are free and in one call sorted out my debts, wrote to them, got them to freeze the interest and set me up on a payment plan I can manage. They will help you, give them a call. Good luck, there is no debt that can't be tackled.

Oh dear ..I do sympathise
This is the sort of thing I would do
Good luck getting it sorted x

Yorkshire, thank you, have put in details and it's come up with this:

Franchised Dealer: £1,850
Independent Dealer: £1,520
Private Good: £1,070
Private Poor: £805
Part Exchange: £850
Original Price: £17,930

However, it's done more miles and is battered