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This is my first full post here and I wanted to ask for some advice from the knowledgable folk that are always around here! Essentially, without going into too much detail, I have an impending problem. I have, in the past, used the Moneyshop to obtain 'cash 'til payday' advances on my wages. Essentially you write them a cheque for a hundred pounds and they give you £87 back. They then cash it the next month unless you pay another £14 on each cheque to extend it by a month. I have currently got £500 of debt with them and have been extending the cheques. The problem is that I am soon to be out of work and have no income until the benefits start. I am then going to be unable to extend the cheques as I can't afford it! My bank won't give me an overdraft to cover this as I have a bad credit history. So I am facing a load of cheques going out and nothing there to cover them.
I want to ask if anyone can suggest the best course of action. Do you think writing to Moneyshop and explaining the situation will lead to them allowing a repayment plan? Obviously this would be better than bouncing the cheques and ending up with a large, unauthorised overdraft and all the charges that go with it.
I'm getting really stressed out by this and any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance! J
It might be an idea to cancel the cheques if they don't want to listen as there may be an issue of you writing the cheques knowing there's no funds to cover them. Will also save a lot of charges. Get in before they do if need be.
Good luck, Dave.
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Advice is offered freely, without liability and without prejudice.
If in any doubt professional legal advice should be sought.
I do not profess to be in any way legally trained, I am a big
oily truck driver and all I know has been learned within the
Consumer Action Group.
I used to use them all the time, it apears a good idea when you need money but like you say you end up delaying them and one day they have to be paid. Well i would speak to them and see if they can do anything, if they cant they could bank them as they will be "Gaurenteed cheques" using your cheque guarentee card, this will result in you going over your overdraft and getting charges from the bank which you will then want to reclaim.
If none of this works maybe take out a small £500 loan? my credit record was seriously bad but there are some lenders although the interest rate will not be good!
Hi there - I too thought they were a good idea until things spun out of control for me.
I was in the same situation and spoke to them - all they could offer was a 12 month loan for the value of the outstanding cheques plus interest - I'm not sure if it is an agreement under the CCA - no credit cheques were required - but you have to pay it by direct debit - this may give you some breathing space.
Best thign to do is speak to them as I am sure you don't want to increase your debt!
I know it's a slightly different issue givingitago, but you say that you don't have a very good credit history. Are there any charges from your bank account or previously loans you can claim back?
I know this doesn't help your immediate problem but it may get you a little more money in the next 2 or 3 months.
I've just got off the phone to 1st credit who have been passed the account from the money shop. Originally the debt was around £400. Now it's £800. They told me that £428 of interest has been added (defualts etc), which I'm clearly annoyed about. What shall I do? Shall I pay the full debt or shall I argue that £428 worth of charges is totally unfair?
If someone can help, then I would be very grateful. 1st Credit are now saying that it will be passed over for court action!
This will be the same as when a DCA sends out a letter claiming they now own the debt? You have already acknowleged the debt by telephoning them. So I don't think you would get away with denying any knowlege of it.
Send a letter and £1 postal order asking for the original agreement and a breakdown in charges. Remember not to talk to DCAs on the phone deal in writing and don't use your normal signature.
Thanks - I take it I need to ask the DCA for the breakdown of charges or do I need to contact the moneyshop? Also, is there a template letter for this?
Thanks - I take it I need to ask the DCA for the breakdown of charges or do I need to contact the moneyshop? Also, is there a template letter for this?
Thanks
Hi Gary There is a template letter I'll try and find it and post the link here for you. You send it to the DCA. They will then have to prove to you that the debt is enforcable.
These are the template letters you will need to send letter N.
I got a letter from a DCA asking for money or they will take me to court. I sent this letter and they wrote back saying they are not going to persue it further. Give it a go and see what 1st credit come up with
Ok - Thanks. However, I already wrote to 1st credit saying this:
I would like to inform you that the balance of these accounts are in dispute with the original creditor due to unlawful charges. Therefore, I consider these accounts to be in dispute and no further action shall be taken until this matter is resolved pursuant to OFT guidelines Section 2.8 k. "not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt."
I also reserve the right to pursue the legal owner for any and all unlawful charges that have been levied on these accounts.
I am prepared to take all legal action necessary to recover these unlawful charges.
Shall I now follow it up with Letter N? I'm worried now I've sent the wrong letter!
THE PRETENDER AGENDA - August 30,2008 - 2ND ROW!!! WOO-HOO!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR A FAB NITE LEE! xx
Sunderland 011008 - THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESSIE EVER! 'Aww, it's your birthday! Happy birthday darlin!'
02 Apr 2008, 23:55
OfficialLeeRyan wrote:
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MY SUCCESSES -
1st Credit (Lloyds TSB) admitted no CCA, reply from OFT 130608, reply from FOS 040608, adjudication stage rejected but still no contact....
My mate (Littlewoods/Moorcroft)
300608 -Long running battle,threatening court, CCA letter NO 2 and harrassment letter sent - passed back to Littlewoods early July.
070808 - Passed to Debt Managers, Acct in dispute/BOG OFF letter sent 080808...
140808 - Letter from Debt Managers passing debt back to Littlewoods - RESULT!
I complained to the moneyshop about the 25.00 charge per cheque - as i informed them that i have no funds available due to my unemployment situation. - Anyway they ignored this. I made another complaint.
The Moneyshop 'investigation' - standard response its a 30 day loan and you will have to pay all charges and extra interest.... I asked for a statement of account and breakdown of charges which they have not supplied.
They say i have to complain to British Cheque Cashers Association first before i can complain to the Financial Ombudsman servie. It it worth complaining the BCCA?
In the credit agreement it states
"Complaint we cannot settle via our complaint procedure may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service."
Theres no mention of the BCCA.
I would also like to know if the £25.00 charge per a cheque worth under £50.00 is fair.
The moneyshop said thats what the bank charges them? Is this true?. (I did inform them of my financial difficulties)