Written by John Kruse, one of the leading experts on Bailiff Law, this consumer friendly guide is essential reading for anyone who comes into contact with a bailiff.
The book is easy to understand and clearly explains the rights
a bailiff has, and also what they cannot do when collecting debts and repossessing goods etc.
My DH is sadly in hospital, rehab and has been for some time. I have unfortuately found a lot of financial problems. I am having to sort out the priorities, but in the meantime the bank (VISA) are phoning and sticking on charges to my CCard every day. I can't afford the repayments at the moment and even if I could, I wouldn't be able to keep up.
I appreciate that there are penalties as stated in the contract. Am I on the right track here for help with CCards, it is linked to a highstreet bank. Any thing I can do to stop this continuing to spiral out of control ?
You can reclaim any unlawful charges. The penalties that you appreciate may well be in the contract but they are still unlawful.
Regarding the spiralling out of control, what do you need help with?
iGroup (GE Money) - AoS Filed late, defence late, amended defence also late despite extra time requested and granted. Vanquis - Claim issued, no AoS or Defence received
Hi Totallylost, I would recommend you contact consumer credit counselling service (cccs - they have a website) and make an appointment (on the phone) to talk through the problems you are having with them. They are very nice and know what they are talking about.
If you get that sorted, and start claiming back the charges... it might help a little bit (stop the spiralling!)
Help???? I need help with everything... I truly don't know where to start. I have only stumbled here after having a tidy up.
I bought this pc on Halifax CC last year. (it's been a pig btw) I was happily paying towards my monthly payments when I lost my job... I got another but by then I was behind. Recently I have had to stop payments (about 6months ago) because I had to change to PT work - Hubby not working coz of illness and hasn't been available now since April/May. Unbeknown to me he has taken out all sorts of loans and ccards and is up to limits on all. Nothing has been paid for about 6 months!
I just can't keep up. I don't earn enough to cover my own debt, let alone his. I paid the minimum on my cc for as long as possible. Halifax then started taking money from my Halifax bank account to cover the costs. I soon closed those and set up elsewhere. I am now fighting them off to freeze the CC account until I can get square again. I'm in a pickle.
Sorry its long winded, but it IS the short version.
Thanks again.
totallylost
Hi Karnevil
I have been through cccs... and debt matters. I am afraid I don't qualify for assistance. There isn't enough coming in for them to help me make arrangements. I guess that's it for them. I will try them again though. Thanks for your help.
Any other ideas would be gratefully received.
Yes definately try them again - and citizens advice bureau.
CCCS couldn't take on your debt managements because your income is too low ? Did they give you any advice on how to proceed or just say sorry we can't help goodbye ?
Citizens advice bureau should be able to check you are getting all your benefits, CCCS (or CAB not sure if they do this) should be able to get your creditors to freeze interest & charges and accept a minimum payment each month (down to £1 )
You need to stop the debts spiralling first -
you can claim the late payment / bouced DD etc charges - start with the data protection request (look in the faq's) to get the ball rolling....
CAB are helping but only just started the process. Many companies have given their debt over to the dreaded collectors. Will CAB have to write to them too? Fingers crossed. I will try cccs again. Debt Matters have my request "on hold" because they deal with IVA's and the financial report they have for me states that the income is negetive by £900 plus. I couldn't possibly enter into an IVA... yet.
Cheers
I don't know Debt Matters - how does your financial report say you earn minus 900 ? You should have done a list for them of your essential expenditure (mortgage, water, elec, food etc) is this what shows you as minus 900 ?
CAB will have to write to the debt collectors as well. (actually I found they were quicker to accept minimum payments etc than the initial creditors )
Okay found Debt Matters - THEY CHARGE YOU !
you do not want to be paying someone for this.
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service is a registered charity whose purpose is to assist people who are in financial difficulty by providing free, independent, impartial and realistic advice
Though I think you are okay with the CAB....are they writing to all your creditors with a Breakdown of your situation etc ?
Hi
The minus figure means that there is £900 plus more going out than there is coming in. The amount that I am earning is far too low for them to make any arrangements with creditors... I think they mean that the money i do get has to go on things like food and essentials for the family and not to creditors.
The CAB have been great in giving me some info about benefits etc. I am persuing them, of course.
I'll look at the info on here about collectors too. Seems that there is much more legal stuff here than even CAB know of. None of the reclaiming stuff was ever mentioned to me anyway.
I do appreciate your helping a very naive novice - I am gonna need all the help I can get by the sounds of it!
Thanks again.
Totallylost
I only want what's mine.
Cabot (Halifax CC) £3304.31 - trying to negotiate min payment.- Sept 09
They sent copy of original agreement (bad copy).Felt I had to comply to stall.
Halifax/BMidshires - Mortgage - £18000 - In process of beginning to sue for them selling the house (after REPO) below the market value.
With regards charges the data protection request ar the first step - althouh these need £10 each. Some refund this some don't. So start with the ones you think have most unlawful charges on.
If you start threads in each relevant forum as you go you'll get advice specific to that company, as they all have there little foibles....
Best wishes, keep us informed how you get on with CAB, and if you need any help, the guys on here are great.
dont worry.... read the faq's (theres a link at the bottom of this post) they'll help.
A data protection act request basically gets the companies to send you everything they hold on file about you - ie. so you can see how much they've had off you incharges (i'll bet that makes up a nice amount of your debt)....
Have a look through the FAQ's and the bank template letters - should give you an idea, then if you need any more help come back here.
Some really great stuff here - Hi all.
problems. I am having to sort out the priorities, but in the meantime the bank (VISA) are phoning and sticking on charges to my CCard every day. I can't afford the repayments at the moment and even if I could, I wouldn't be able to keep up.
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Re: Some really great stuff here - Hi all.
Re: Some really great stuff here - Hi all.
Don't leave me!!