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AIBU?

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Original poster

I've been totally stupid

127 replies

ZoyaDestroyer · 23/10/2019 17:08

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?

OP posts:
Sonders · 25/10/2019 17:10

I don't mean to sound alarmist but alarm bells are ringing here - and it's really important that you separate the debt problem to the new scam problem.

Stepintochange is a scam, they have placed Google Ads on the search 'Step Change' to find vulnerable people like you.

They are not trying to steal from you now, they are trying to steal from you in the future. The information they've given you will allow them to open bank accounts, take out loans, start phone contracts and more in your name - they are just waiting for your credit to be good again.

If you haven't already, speak to Action Fraud who will be able to advise you on how to protect yourself, given what you've given away. I am really sorry - but this is really really dangerous.

I only know this because someone used my bank details to open phone contracts earlier this year and they helped me resolve the issue. That was really damaging, stressful and time consuming - and all the scammers had were by sort code and account number.

Stepintochange have all of your details. Change all your passwords. Speak to every business you mentioned to them. Most importantly, speak to Action Fraud!

I hope it all works out ok Flowers

Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 25/10/2019 17:22

Thank you Sonders. I'm struggling to find the mental capacity to deal with it all if I'm honest. The banks have advised that there isn't much to do except for keep a close eye on my credit report, which I actually get alerts when anything changes so will know straight away if anything was obtained in my name.

OP posts:
Sonders · 25/10/2019 17:33

I'm just trying to be honest! I wouldn't rely too much on the banks' advice as mine (Monzo) were bloody useless. I had to close my account and open another to stop the phone contracts as the bank wouldn't change my account number - and this was only after 10+ calls and live chat sessions.

A bank's priority is to protect the bank, and your money within it. They don't really care if you have to spend hours/days/weeks or more reporting every occurrence of fraud. This also means upholding their 'good customer service' by telling you everything will be fine, when there's a serious chance it won't be.

The phone companies were also terrible - the scammers didn't use my name, so as per GDPR they couldn't tell me anything about the actual accounts.

Only Action Fraud could tie it all together. Stealing money from you isn't the only thing they can do with your information - it looks like you've given someone enough info to apply for a passport in your name which opens up a whole other can of worms.

So sorry OP :(

Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 25/10/2019 18:19

I think I will give them a call. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 25/10/2019 18:22

Slight silver lining... whilst going through all my Bill's I've discovered I have £100 sat in my electricity account from referrals that I had forgotten about!! So free electricity for the next two months Grin

OP posts:
poshme · 25/10/2019 18:26

Do contact Christians against poverty.
You do not have to be a Christian.
They can look at all your debts, will talk to your creditors & set up payment plans.
They do this all the time.

Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 25/10/2019 18:59

Mixed reviews on here re: Christian's Against Poverty. I'm going to try StepChange again but will update info on car, looking through the paper work they have sent me they disregarded that option because of my guess at how much the car was worth.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 29/10/2019 07:58

I've had some great advice here so coming back to ask this:

My phone contact actually has 8 months left. It's £54 a month. I'm thinking of getting a pay as you go sim and letting my contract run into default with a view to including it in whatever debt solution I can get in the future. Would this be really irresponsible?

OP posts:
Mumtum22 · 29/10/2019 08:07

Phone your bank and let them know what's happened, they will be able to put a security stop on the account so transactions can't be processed or they will keep an eye for those transactions. Your sort code had account number can only be used to set up a direct debit or pay money in. If you have provided your card details block it as lost then they can't use it and your card number will no longer exist 😊

Happens all the time!

Sonders · 29/10/2019 18:54

OP, I'm no finance expert but that does not seem like a good idea. Have you tried calling your phone company and asking them for options? I'm guessing yours is a pretty common issue so they might be able to pause the contract or pop you onto a lower tariff for a while :)

Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 29/10/2019 18:56

They have said I'm in contract and so nothing they can do, unless I pay to get out of it. I thought I only had a couple of months left, but 8 months at £54 is so much Sad

OP posts:
maddening · 30/10/2019 15:22

So you have income of 1168 after rent is paid, and debts of 7900, excluding the £2000 hmrc debt as that is being paid back via UC.

Your expenses £990
175 Utilities
160 phone (extremely high)
60 TV and Internet
220 car (Inc fuel)
375 food and household

Leaves £178 to pay creditors

So then you would offer proportionally to creditors eg
If your balances are £2900 and £5000 then you would offer the amounts as :

£2900 debt is 37% of your debt, so OTP would be £65

£5000 debt is 63% of your debt so your OTP would be £112.14

Normally creditors can agree the DMP with you and freeze your interest so you payments come off the balance.

What is your rent?

Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 30/10/2019 15:32

My utilities are £175 gas and electric, £160 telephone, mobiles, broadband, TV. £60 Water. £30 life insurance. Car inc fuel £220. So £645 in total + £145 to debts leaves me with £378 per month for groceries and the children's expenses.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 30/10/2019 15:33

My mobile is expensive- £54 per month. It was taken out before I was made redundant. I had thought I only had a couple of months left, but it is in fact 8 months. Hence why I'm considering letting that go into arrears.

OP posts:
maddening · 30/10/2019 16:28

Your gas and electricity are very expensive also?

maddening · 30/10/2019 16:33

So outgoings excl rent are:
Gas and electricity £175
Phone, Internet, tv£160
Water £60
Life insurance £30
Car £220
Food and household £378

maddening · 30/10/2019 16:48

Ps no I would not let your phone credit agreement go into arrears

What is the breakdown of the £160 tv/phone /Internet?

What is the breakdown of the £220 car expenses?

Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 30/10/2019 20:29

I'm rural and not on mains so gas is £125.

£54 my phone
£6 DC phone
£100 TV/Broadband/Landline

OP posts:
Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 30/10/2019 20:30

Also spend a lot on diesel because of where we are.

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 30/10/2019 20:57

Cut out TV packages and stick with Freeview and shop around for a better Broadband deal. That's loads to pay.

You could also shop around for cheaper car insurance?

YorkshirePud1 · 30/10/2019 21:25

Hi Zoya - have you decided what debt solution you're going to go with?
You can let your contract go into arrears yes - it is likely to end in a default notice being issued, cancellation charges being added and they may charge you up to the end of the contract date. If you set up a DMP the balance will be treated the same as other creditors. If you apply for a DRO you can include everything up the end of the contract and any cancellation charges and the debt will be written off anyway. There's nothing wrong with doing this if you're struggling to afford the contract.

Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 30/10/2019 22:57

YorkshirePud1

Most have put my debt on hold for 6 months, some need to review after 30 days but said it will likely just keep rolling. I have a couple more to call, including DWP to see if they can hold off on advance repayments. The idea is that if my situation hasn't changed in 6 months then I'm going for DRO. Am I right in thinking with this I pay £90 and then nothing else? So, I just need to get through this 6 months, the 1 year whilst DRO in place then start to rebuild.

It's really hard keeping on top of everything, my mental health is really suffering. I have an appointment with the GP next week, I'm hoping he will up my meds.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZoyaDestroyer · 30/10/2019 23:00

I think I will cancel my phone direct debit. Also going to reduce the TV package to minimum (in contract with this too!). This will save £84 per month.

Car insurance I have just renewed and got cheapest I could find.

OP posts:
Ifartglitterybaubles · 30/10/2019 23:10

@ZoyaDestroyer pm'd you.

YorkshirePud1 · 30/10/2019 23:16

Yes there are no other payments to make in a DRO, it's just the £90 fee which goes to the insolvency service. You can pay it in instalments but they can't submit the application until it's paid. I'm sorry you're struggling so much, I know the impact debt can have on mental health, it's hard. But you're taking steps and dealing with it and if your creditors are agreeing to give you breathing space then that's great for now. Your heath is more important than anything.