Debt collection agencies now threatening

All has been quiet up until now. There is one particular debt collection agency who have bought the debt of citi financial and are refusing the payment agreement. They have been on the phone using bully-boy tactics saying they are going to get a charge on the property and eventually make us sell.

I don't think they can do that unless they take us to court and onlyif we default on the payments then they can put a charge on the house. Also I am sure they should not be phoning us up and threatening us this way. They are quite aggressive on the phone. I am going to look into this.

Another debt agency who has bought the debt off one of our other creditors keep phoning up and asking personal information ie how did we get into this debt, what are our dates of birth, how long have we lived in the house and other such questions, when I said I was not prepared to answer these questions over the phone (after all they could be some person trying to steal my identity) they got very stroppy and said they would not send be a letter but would put on my file that I refused to answer questions.

Looks like the quiet time is over and the phone calls are starting again. Just when my nerves were beginning to settle.

Claiming Bank Charges back/Abbey

What a shambles trying to claim bank charges back from Abbey. They have said no, so Abbey I am taking my case to the Financial ombudsman.


I have been on several blogs and it seems ABBEY is the worst at dragging their heels and making excuses. I will keep you informed how it goes. In the meantime there is lots of info on http://www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk/

Barclays/Halifax and DMP

Off all the debt we have despite being in a Debt Management Plan Barclays and Halifax are still charging us interest. It seems ludicrous to me they know we cant pay and yet they are adding nearly £150 per month onto the bill. Surely this cant be legal, its like adding lead weights to a drowning man.

Mis-sold Endowment Policy

Mis-sold endowment policy the saga continues. I must admit Abbey were pretty quick when I sent the forms back. Norwich Union though were very slow responding to a request for a surrender value. But as usual for me what looked like a pretty straight forward thing is being delayed because believe it or not Abbey have said mine is a unique case and will take more time.
Am I going to be compensated or not that is the question and I wonder how long I will have to wait to find out. Fingers crossed it will turn out ok. I will keep you informed. Wish me luck.

Claiming Bank Charges from Abbey

Well things don't get better. We have had a letter from Abbey refusing to return Bank Charges.
Not sure what to do now I think they deliberately dragged their heels waiting for the outcome of the recent court case over bank charges. I wonder if I can do anything about this. Anyone with any ideas I would be grateful.

Claiming Bank Charges from Abbey

Not posted for a while because not a great deal is happening at the moment. I am still waiting for a further response from Abbey about claiming back bank charges. I think they are due to get a letter from me threatening to take court action because they are taking a while to respond.With regard to mis-sold endowment nearly broke my neck getting stuff out of the loft for all the information they required, still waiting for an answer back. Whats the betting they ask for even more information.

Mis- Sold Endowment

First of all my thanks to Wonga Wallah www.wongawallah.co.uk for his assistance if you can pick up this link there is some really good information there.

Sent a complaint to Abbey re mis-sold endowment you should see the form that came back they want information dating back 25 years ie who did I speak to, How did the conversation go. Now I have to dig into the archives of the attic to find all the paper work. I will keep you informed and let you know if it was worth the trouble.

Claiming Bank Charges back

To try to recoup some financial backup I have now done as the money saving expert at www.moneysavingexpert.com has suggested and started to claim back all my bank charges from Abbey £1400 or there abouts We have had one reply offering us £325 which I have refused so waiting now for a reply to the next letter I have sent them. Also trying to claim compensation for a mis-sold endowment which also was via the Abbey. I only sent the letter last week so I will keep you informed of the details.
A bit of info for those of you in the same position as myself watch out if you get a basic bank account with Co-operative bank. We went overdrawn by £4 the money went in the next day then we went overdrawn by a miniscule amount because a standing order came out and then once again because money was late being paid in ie. the same day the the standing order came out and Coperative bank closed the account on us.

I rang their management services and explained the overdrawn amount didn't even reach £20 and on each occassion the money was paid in the same day,whilst they sympathised they said thats it three strikes and you are out. So be very careful, I am not sure if other banks do this.

Debt Management Plan/Payplan

Is this Debt Management Plan with Paylan a good idea? I am not so sure now. Granted they have managed to get all the creditors and collection agencies to stop all the phone calls, but still the interest is accumulating. What little we are paying the creditors is disappearing I feel there is no point paying anything. If our circumstances dont change and we don't get finances from somewhere I can see the creditors forcing us into selling the house. What is it about Mondays,I always feel desperately low and depressed I think it is because a new week has started and we are still no better off.

This time three years ago we both had good jobs, we have worked all our lives but circumstances changed I am too ill to work and who will employ a 60 year old male,not to worry theres always the lottery on Wednesday.

Barclays/Barclaycard

Barclays or maybe Barclaycard debt collecting agency Merciers have been on today saying they wont accept the payment that Payplan have sorted out. When I asked the guy what did he want, he said a higher payment which I told him I didnt have. He said they would be passing the debt on to a local collection agency. I am not sure what that means, whether they will come knocking on the door or they just take over the debt.Has this happened to anyone else out there. I will keep you informed as to what happens. Everything has been quiet so far I wonder if this is the start of all the creditors having a go at us again. Most of them are still charging interest which is a ridiculous amount, we initially dug the hole for ourselves but they have got a mechanical digger and are burying us rapidly.

on a DMP and Loan Companies offering me money

It appears that Payplan have sorted most of the debts out, but there have been a few hiccups.Some of the creditors are ringing me up saying they haven't heard from Payplan but this gets sorted pretty easily. The phone calls have all but stopped, but can you believe it? I am now getting about three phone calls a day offering me loans. Even when I have explained I am on a DMP. One was from Barclays who I owe loads of money to.

I am still concerned about the new ruling I heard about last week about bailiffs, but have found no other info on it, anybody out there who can help I would be grateful.Also in an earlier post I said I was looking at doing an E -Marketing Course but they all look the same to me and I am not sure if they are genuine,any thoughts on that please?

bailiffs can break into your house

Just read some really scary item about Bailiffs and the law changing to allow them to break into your home without a court order. Apparently it is being debated in parliament this week to allow bailiffs new powers. It would appear that any bailiff can come into your home and take goods if this law is passed. This is definately one to keep an eye on. Any information would be gratefully accepted.

Credit card debt

Credit card debt seems to be making lots of money off my debt. They are accepting the payments via Payplan but charging me twice as much in interest.It seems pointless paying the debt off because with the interest the debt is just getting bigger
Apparently it is much better if the credit card companies sell the debt on then the interest stops.

The house seems so quiet now the phone calls have stopped its fantastic. I know the debts have not gone away but a great deal of pressure has. By the way thanks to those of you leaving comments, particularly to Riters Bloc whoes comments were very helpful.

When I started writing this blog I said I needed to earn money to help pay off the debts. Because I am unwell I can't leave the house much, but I am starting to look at one of these marketing courses that are advertised on the web. The problem is there seems so many and because I know nothing about internet marketing I don't want to get ripped off. However I will keep you informed wish me luck.

Payplan Accuma IVA American Debt Problems

Payplan,Debt Consolidation,Debt Management Plan, Credit card debt. We are all in this debt.This blog initially was writen in the UK. It concerned Debt Management here. But there are so many people from America who are in debt reading this blog obviously it concerns us all .Debt is a problem no matter where we are from, and I would ask that those of you from other countries who are in debt that are reading this blog please leave comments because we may be able to help each other wherever we are from. Debt is a universal problem. Your comments and help are important

IVA,Accuma problems with debt and Bankruptcy

Problems with an IVA and Accuma not solving debt problems. This blog was my personal diary of debt and my problems sorting the debt out. But I feel I must include this debt story.We chose the payplan Debt Management Plan rather than an IVA. mainly because we didnt have enough money for an IVA. This particular couple opted for an IVA but were unable to keep up with the payments.Despite constantly contacting Accuma they got no response until it seemed they would be forced into bankruptcy.I dont know the legallities of all this or at this stage where it will end. I am but relaying the story so far.They were told they would have to sell their house to release the equity to pay off the creditors unless they could get a third party to come up with the equivelent amount. This they duly did but Accuma said the creditors had rejected this amount. What happens next? Nobody could come up with a suitable answer. Could they appeal. Accuma told them no. It is now nearly three months since they heard from Accuma In desperation they phoned the National Debt Helpline (Which I must say I have found absolutely superb and so helpful)National Debt Helpline told them to insist Accuma responded.

The position at the moment, they have now been told that only the wife is being made bankrupt despite the fact they had added all the debts together. The wife, by the way ,of the two of them owes the least,and has no assets. She has been told that the procedure is well in place and there is nothing she can do. When they questioned this (RE the debts being separated) they were told it was in the fine print. They are as we speak trying to sort this out. Surely they should have been notified,? who is at fault here? Why was there no communication?

If anybody out there has had a similar experience please post a comment.The pressure of being in debt is so bad and to be further pressured by people who are supposed to be helping you causing more problems.

debt consolidation means debt relief

I am not sure if using payplan is the same as debt cosolidation. Will we ever get debt relief by doing it this way. Everyone talks of National Debt and it was on the news today that the 2 largest political parties were 2 million pounds each in debt. I wonder if they get all the harrassing phone calls. Every where I turn the news is about debt. Still its good to think I am not the only one. I havent been to well the last few days hence this post has been delayed. Some of the credit card companies have now accepted a reduced payment. some are accepting the payment but still charging interest. I can't see the point of them accepting £12 payment then charging £150 interest and £12 late payment charge. I am sure they shouldn't be able to do this. At this rate they will never be paid off. The good thing is the phone calls are down to about three a day oh the peace.I think this is the first Monday I have got up and not felt physically sick. Lets hope the week keeps going well.

Credit cards and Marks&Spencer refused

MBNA and Marks & Spencer money have refused the offers Payplan put to them on our behalf.We are still waiting the outcome of the other credit cards So far Tesco credit card seems to be the only one that hasn't been hassling us. I have been reading other blogs and it seems that it is not such a bad thing if the debts are sold on to debt collecting agencies. It appears they are more ameniable than the big banks.The phone calls seem to be starting again, it would not be so bad if you could understand the person on the other end of the phone, some of these call centres make you feel like you are talking to a robot. The other day I was on to one of them and my dog starting barking really loud I said to the person on the other end oh sorry that was my dog making all that noise to which the answer I got back was that is not your password can you repeat it. It is no wonder my husband ends up throwing the phone across the room.Well Monaday tomorrow lets see what the mail brings.Speak soon. Bye for now.

I spoke to payplan today for advice. I feel like I am talking to the samaritans, sorry guys at payplan but you are keeping me sane. I think I should be charging them for the praise I am giving them. Hey that would earn me extra cash.
Apologies for the last posting I did. I was just feeling so depressed. But heyho another day another dollar as they say. I don't know who "they" are but what the heck. More creditors refusing the offers but until I win the lottery they will have to wait.
I have an idea for earning extra cash but not sure it will work. I will investigate more and keep you informed. Anybody out there with similar problems or any good ideas please feel free to post a comment. Cheers speak soon

on the immediate edge

My marriage is on the edge with all this debt. If only an immediate result could happen. I think writing this blog is the only thing stopping me fom jumping off the edge.Today one of the creditors MBNA rejected the offer. It is too late to contact Payplan to see what happens now. I suppose another sleepless night is in order. I wish I was fit enough to get a job anything to bring more cash into the house. Well not to worry tomorrow may be a better day, here's hoping.

Payplan sorted our debts

Don't let your debts worry you so much was the kind advice the man from Payplan said today.They have sorted the debts, in so much as they have made offers to the creditors. Now we wait. What happens if the creditors refuse.If only I could win the lottery.Every day is a nightmare. It seems that a lot of the credit card people have passed the debt on to debt collecting agencies. I suppose that means more knocks at the door.

debt collector at the door

Well Monday morning blues. Got up and as soon as I opened my eyes thought of debts and was literally sick. Payplan keep trying to make me feel better but still don't know if creditors have accepted payments offered. Bang Bang went the door it was a large and intimidating man. I want some money was his first words. I dont know if legally I can name the creditor so at this point I won't. They have been told several times about payplan but keep harrassing us. Amazingly the debt collector was very pleasant and took the details and then wished us good luck. What a surprise a nice man.But would you believe within 1 hour of him leaving the credit card company was harrassing us on the phone again despite they knew the debt collector had just left. Thank goodness national debtline and payplan have informed us of the legalities.

Monday morning blues

Sunday evening and the build up has already started. Somehow over the weekend we can almost forget about the debts, but as Monday nears the worrying starts again. Watching the news on all the hardship in the world, there are people out there in a much worst state than we are but that doesn't really help. I was on a life support machine four years ago and the family were told I had no chance of survival, but I did. After that we all said "oh it puts things into perspective" Well it did for a short while but there again we weren't in debt then. I think it was the near death experience that made me start to spend. Sorry I digress, I will be contacting Payplan tomorrow to see if they have heard anything from any of the creditors I will keep you informed.

Phone calls not as bad

It seems that Payplan have contacted some of the creditors because some of the phone calls have stopped. Not all of them but at least now I am not getting (I think one day36 messages) constant calls, I am even daring to put the phone back on the hook.Still don't know whether the creditors have accepted the offer yet but should hear soon.If they refuse I don't know what happens then. I had a long chat with a guy at payplan who really tried to put my mind at ease but hey its not that easy to stop worrying. I really hope they cannot force us to sell the house.I am in the process of trying to claim all my bank charges back from Abbey over 6 years its nearly 2 thousand pounds, that should help clear some of the overdraft. A really good site to go on is www.moneysavingexpert.com He appears on the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 and has some really good money saving tips. It was through listening to him that I found out about being able to claim back bank charges.

How to pay the creditors

Well it looks like it will take us 57 years to pay the debt off. We will both be dead by then. There is no guarantee the creditors will accept what payplan offer. We should be hearing from them in the next week or so. Fingers crossed something gets sorted. As soon as anything develops I will add a new post.

debts are ruining my life

Still can't sleep worrying about the mountain debts. Payplan still sorting things out. The phone calls are easing a bit most of the creditors when you give them a ref no of payplan are ok. Its the debt collection agencies who are quite aggressive on the phone and demand payment there and then. I had a confrontaqtion with one last night who was insistant I paid them something. It must be awful if you are timid or even an elderley person they would be quite frightened of the tactics they use. I wonder if I can name and shame them on this blog.

Can we sort the debts out

We talked to payplan and they are setting something up for us. I don't know if the creditors will accept this but we can but hope. I wonder if we can sell the house and keep some of the equity or if we have to give it all to the creditors. I know the debt has to be paid but after paying so much to the house I would like something back. Maybe we should just sell up and do a runner. I know thats not sensible but my brain is so fuddled with allof this debt I can't think straight. Hopefully this payplan thing will at least stop the phone calls and threatning letters for a while. It should be up and running soon so I will keep you informed.

we need more money

Today has been awful. Husband is now talking about bankruptcy. Is this the path we have to take. We cant look at an IVA because we dont have enough disposable income. We are trying to set something up with a company called payplan, they add all your debts up and contact your creditors for you. The problem we have is it will take us 57 years to pay off our debts doing it this way. I think we will both be dead before then. We have equity in the property we own but I really don't want to loose it. If only we could win the lottery our problems would be sorted.

Things can only get better

FIRST OF ALL LET ME EMPHASIS THAT I AM NOT AN EXPERT, I DON'T BELONG TO ANY PROFESSIONAL BODY THESE ARE JUST MINE AND MY HUSBAND EXPERIENCES. I can't believe the phone calls we were getting. We had only missed one months payments in fact not even a full month some were only a week late. One particular day we had 33 phone calls. So we took to leaving the phone off the hook but then we worried in case there was an emergency with one of the kids so we let the ansaphone take care of them. It was a nightmare even Sunday mornings at 8am the phone was ringing. All this happened in Dec 2007 so as you can see we are still going through all this. We are trying to sort things out we contacted National Debtline www.nationaldebtline.co.uk They have given us some good advice and we are working our way through it. I will update each time we sort something. If there is anybody out there reading this I would be grateful for your comments

up to my eyes in debt

How did it ever get this far. Can't sleep at night for worrying, crying,arguing all because of the mountain of debt we are in. We have both worked all our lives, husband is retired and I have been off with illness for four years. Loads of credit cards given to us. More credit pushed on us. You would think at our stage of life we would have had more sense. Two grown up kids who neede financial help so what did we do we used the vredit cards to help them. We found it increasingly difficult to make the payments each month, so we fell into the trap of using the cards to pay cards. Before we knew it we had hardly anything left on the cards. What next we foolishly remortgaged and £18000 which is what we got. How stupid could we be we started using that to make the monthly payments till it was all used up. Now the cards are all used up and no cash left to pay them. Desperation is setting in rapidly.