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Original poster

Debt Collector, please help

27 replies

cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 17:21

I am a reguar but have namechanged for this as I am so ashamed. Wondered if any of you could help or if anyone had any experience to help me. I am absolutely worried sick at the moment and don't know what to do.

I got in debt a while ago, to the sum of £14K on a credit card. At the time I was a high earner and could afford repayments. Then everything changed, my exDH left, my job changed and income reduced.

TO cut a long story short I defaulted on the credit card and they gave it to a debt collection agency. I set up an agreement with them to pay monthly payments.

All was ok until Christmas. I became ill and didn't work for months. Therefore I broke the arrangement and didnt pay the collection agency. I spoke to them and informed them I was struggling and they agreed to a reduced payment. I was meant to make a payment at the end of April (1st one of the reduced amount) but didn't. I got ill again, ended up having an operation and am well now. As I didn't work, I didn't receive any wages and couldn't pay it.

I called them today and explained and said I would start payments at the end of May. They have told me that because i haven't made a payment since Xmas and have now broken the 2nd arrangement they would take action. I asked what they would do and they said as I am a homeowner they would 'probably' send someone out to my home.

I am terrified about this and don't know what to do. Can they do this and will they? I have promised I will pay at the end of May, but they seem adament on doing this as I have broken trust with them.

Please don't judge me, I am already ashamed of my debt and the mess I have got into. I am trying to get myself out of it, but it has been hard. My exDH doesn't pay towards anything and I rely on my salary. I am usually ok to pay it but due to illness this month have been unable to do it until next month.

What can I do and what are they likely to do. I don't want them turning up here, I have dc's here and don't want them to see this happening, plus i am afraid of them coming here.

OP posts:
PfftTheMagicDragon · 03/05/2011 17:28

I don't have any expertise that I can give you - but didn't want to not post.

As far as I am aware, people like bailiffs have no legal right of entry to your home so if someone turns up trying to get in, then you should call the police!

BeakerTheMuppetMuppet · 03/05/2011 17:29

OP, have answered on you other thread

Smile
Original poster
cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 17:39

Thank you both for your words.

I am just so scared of them turning up. Is it likely they will do this?

OP posts:
PfftTheMagicDragon · 03/05/2011 17:42

They might do. I would keep your doors locked and start using a chain and peephole if you have one. If you don't recognise someone, don't answer the door.

PeachyAndTheArghoNauts · 03/05/2011 17:43

It's possible but what I can guarantee (accidentally ended up working for a dodgy lending agency once) is that they will say anything to scare you.

Best thing would be to speak to the citizen's advice agency, take along details of the debt and the agreement you want reached. Theyw ill be able toa dvise on legalities etc.

Good luck and also it's a scary time so

Original poster
cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 17:43

what can they turn up for if I have offered payment in a month? I hate these debt companies and hate debt even more Sad

OP posts:
PeachyAndTheArghoNauts · 03/05/2011 17:44

I'd be tempted to send a postdated cheque onto them, when they see that it might help?

Original poster
cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 17:45

Peachy - thanks. When do they turn up? I mean what is the citeria for this? I assumed (maybe stupidly) that they only turn up if I am ignoring them? I am not, I am contacting them and keeping them updated.

OP posts:
PeachyAndTheArghoNauts · 03/05/2011 17:48

Well tehre are very strict criteria over bailiffs etc and that would go to court, my guess is they eman send someone to talk with you, verify the information you ahve given them wrt to being ill. If it's a credit card they will at least operate legally

Original poster
cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 17:50

Well its a debt collection agency, the credit card company passed it to them.

OP posts:
Earlybird · 03/05/2011 17:50

No suggestions about how to handle debt collectors, but in the more long term - can you sell and/or ebay things to raise cash to pay off/pay down the debt? Presumably, as a former high earner accustomed to using a credit card so extensively, you've got some things worth £££ around that would relieve your current situation.

expatinscotland · 03/05/2011 17:51

Get in touch with Consumer Credit Counselling or National Debt Helpline.

Have you considered bankrupcy/insolvency?

Have a look on moneysavingexpert forums for a lot of good help and advice without judgement.

Original poster
cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 17:52

I have already done that Earlybird. I can afford the repayments when I have my salary, its just while I was ill and waiting for my operation that I fell behind with it all.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 03/05/2011 17:52

I've answered your other thread too Smile

Original poster
cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 17:53

Don't want to go bankrupt expat because I want to keep my house. I can normally manage the repayments, its just while I was waiting for an op.

I did take a look on moneysavingexpert, its a great forum to help but there is nothing that helps with this particular issue. I will definately get in touch with the debt helpline though.

OP posts:
BeakerTheMuppetMuppet · 03/05/2011 17:54

OP, whilst Peachy is giving good advice on debts, you should get advice from CAB or smimilar - please be certain the DCA is legitimate and will be totally within the law.

google them, look for threads on MSE and CAG to see if they are what/who they say they are.

pinkthechaffinch · 03/05/2011 17:58

you need to have a look at this forum

seriously you will get some amazing advice there

www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?167-Debt-Collection-Industry

Original poster
cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 17:58

I will contact them Beaker.

They are who they say they are, I have been dealing with them for some time now (my debt was passed to them a while ago), and have made payments to them before i got into this mess.

OP posts:
PeachyAndTheArghoNauts · 03/05/2011 18:49

Nonetheless you'll be amazed how CAB can help; they have specialist advisors and they are free.

So really, why not?

Ishani · 03/05/2011 18:52

Please don't worry for £14k they probably won't send anybody to your house, do get advice and if anyone does knock the door explain you cannot discuss anything all correspondence must be in writing to legally protect both parties.
But they won't send anyone.

Original poster
cantsleepwithworry · 03/05/2011 18:53

I'll try and make an appointment with CAB as soon as possible. I am recovering from an op so quite hard to get about at the moment but could speak to them over the phone. Its short term too, I can pay them at the end of May.

I can understand how they dont believe I will though because I have broken arrangments with them the last few months.

OP posts:
Celibin · 07/05/2011 22:27

Is this a dumb idea? I know little about debt collecting but would it not just be cheaper to borrow the money you owe from a respectable bank - even an unsecured loan would charge less interest than a credit card co ? I know it is paying one to pay the other but credit card charges are enormous and you could at least stop the interest going up.

Fairymitzi · 08/05/2011 22:03

i had loads of credit cards ten years ago @ uni, i know it was naughty but i had 5 and left them & ignored them, after 2 years they'd sent loads of letters then gave up! The only time i have EVER had a baliff round was for non payment of council tax (which btw is legally the ONLY time theyre allowed to force their way in).
Anyway, i called Norton finance as i wanted to sort out my credit rating, as long as you have more than £2000 debt, they call all the people you owe money to & sort it out, you just pay them monthly what you can afford til its all paid off & you send all your bills of to them, it really takes a load off.
They add 17% but they get a lower amount by haggling with the nasty creditors... dont worry, life's too short to ruin your health worrying over money (brew)

Fairymitzi · 08/05/2011 22:07

p.s The people who i dealt with saythat i can reduce my monthly payment if i lose job/ get ill... you should ask

voodoomunkee · 08/05/2011 22:12

If I remember correctly (working in advocacy for a while) it appears a lot of these workers are on commission (shout at me if wrong) and they need to have a certain amount or they don't make it! Just an incentive for them to be more aggressive on the phone etc.

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