Lou, I'm a bit confused over your message #8. I couldn't have an IVA agreement as I'm retired, but that's by the way, I also don't like the sound of them - and there's a middleman to make big bucks along the way. With a CCCS debt management plan you (and they) work out what you can afford from £5 per creditor per month. Let's say you owe £16,000 to 8 creditors which is £2,000 each and you can afford £200 per month. They take that amount by debit order on the 1st of every month and pay it pro rata to the creditors. In other words if one creditor was owed £8,000 and the other 7 £1,000 that the first would get £100 per month and the other 7 a seventh of £100 each. For me it has worked. No charges by CCCS whatever. Only a few minimal errors. I can check my payments each month on line. They insist on a budget review every 9 - 12 months as well. And, for some reason, they keep the DCAs off my back. If you think I'm being helpful, give my scales a click and I'll follow this thread. The scales, by the way, are the grey blob between the green dot and the triangle at the bottom left. Don't even think about bankruptcy! And if you win the lottery you can pay your DMP off in one go and make a donation to CAG (God bless them) Best regards. Van

Suggest you discuss your situation with National Debtline on 0808 808-4000 and CCCS on 0800 138-1111. Both are charities so no charge, both have good fact sheets (ND is better). ] Let us know what they advise. I have a DMP with CCCS. Vandermerwe

Hi madcap. Have just replied to your PM which I might not have done correctly. Please confirm here that you received it. If in doubt, go to the first Welcome section and read reply to "any advice" yesterday or the day before. Good luck. Vandermerwe

Hi jga - I note what you say about Payplan. I have a feeling, but could be wrong, that National Debtline (see message #22 above) work closely with them but don't let that put you off calling National Debtline because they have a very comprehensive and detailed range of fact sheets available by mail or to download. I found their adviser blunt and to the point when I called about bank charges "claim them back but open a parachute account first - a list of banks and the types of such account they offer will be in the post tonight". Their services are entirely free. Personally I have used the CCCS (0800 138-1111) for about 15 months. The first stage was a lengthy discussion with a counsellor in the North East somewhere. An appointment was made for a time for him to call me following which they set up a DMP for my debts. That's on a different number in Leeds and they can be difficult to get through to, but 8.00 a.m. usually doesn't present a problem. The advisers are almost invariably friendly, non-judgemental, and quite knowledgeable. There have been very few problems in the time I have been with them and they do seem to keep the DCAs under control. If I have any criticism at all it's that they tend to do everything 'by the book' and won't get involved in discussing the behaviour of DCAs by name on the, not unreasonable, grounds that "we have to work with them". Being a charity, they make no charge whatsoever, unlike those gizmo refers to, and who deserve a wide berth. I'll follow this thread if you give my scales a click (the grey blob between the green dot and the red triangle at the bottom left) as I, and I am sure many others, would welcome your opinion after checking both out. Good luck. Van

Definitely phone the housing association jga and also call the National Debtline on 0808 808-4000. They will give you sound advice. Regards. Van

Just beware of Northern Rock jga. They are in the doo-doo themselves at the moment and can be very aggressive. Follow all advice given on this forum. Good luck. Vandermerwe

Hi BP. Have just re-read your first post. Thanks for asking for and considering advice from others. Will you let us have feedback after the 5th? Good luck! Van

Hi Biker. Not yet thank goodness! Rely on good old Google and enter aktiv kapital (sounds very Marxist to me) and you'll find enough reading to keep you going until, shall we say, tea time! Then post a bit more info. and - hey presto - CAGgers will be falling over themselves to help you shaft them. Good luck. Vandermerwe

Hi teenacee I've got a bit mixed up with your posts so I've sent you a PM from which you'll see I am genuinely concerned. Best regards. Van

Hello BP. I seem to remember my children could have been invited to an 'open day' for a visit to the school and to meet teachers, but it's so long ago I could well be mistaken. Let a bunch of probably politically correct teachers, members of the NTU, with agendas of their own, not to mention a snooping mandate from the local council into my home? As Gordon Ramsay would say 'Foxtrot Oscar'. It stinks to high heaven, it really does. Regards. Vandemerwe

Hi Anney. Good old Google! I Googled UK Default Recovery and up came "Grumbletext" which, scrolled through, came up with the well known Lewis Group! I reckon Cattles plc (FTSE 250 remember and every so clean) has got more schlenter companies lurking in its midst than the average time seller or dodgy share pusher. Google Lewis Group for more info. Address for UKDR? Batley by any chance? No luck with asdventis though - tried with adventis but nothing suspicious. If you'd like me to continue sniffing (my miniature dachshund always wanted to be a sniffer dog!) give my scales a click (that's the grey blob at the bottom between the green circle and the red triangle) and, if you can, post the letters you received with your personal details removed. I quite enjoy a challenge! Best regards as ever. Van

Support always available Anney - not only from me but from dozens of others I could mention. Even though you don't need it because you've got them sussed. I'll just take a look around to see if I can seeanything that might prove helpful and get back to you. Van

Oh hell, Fiona, that's bad. To my mind the whole camera/laser [problem] is so similar to the bank rip offs - all about money and to heck with morality and ethics. It's a bit late now, but suggest you visit PePiPoo: Helping the motorist to get justice as it tries to do for the motorist what CAG does for the beleaguered banked. Of course, I assume you weren't doing 170 mph plus in a Porsche? Unlike a certain plod from Telford who got away with something similar because he was "just testing" a new police car. Best wishes. Van

That's absolutely marvellous Stevie. Please don't abandon your fan club now - just keep us posted on any further developments. I don't want to be a party pooper, but I don't like the use of the words "pending" and "waiving". I sincerely hope they have not used the words "without prejudice"? Maybe someone more proficient than me could suggest an appropriate acknowledgement of the letter? Trouble is I am a cynical old beggar and have learned not to trust the Brits since Wolrd War II and, even more so, the Yanks for winning it for us! And, as someone elsewhere has pointed out, Transcom, Arrow, MBNA, Bank of America are all 'Sallie Mae' companies with a reputation that is, er, a tad niffy. But, please Stevie, my intention is not to pee on your bonfire. Trust the good luck stays with you. Regards. Van

Thanks JonCris - you rounded that off well, and thanks also for the PM. I didn't know about court fees, sorry. Good luck tinacee - let us know how your son progresses. The site isn't just about money. Van

Muchas gracias deedee mi enamorada y muchos besos tambien! Am just waiting for my parachute account to be opened before I move further and have put off phoning the building society until Tuesday. Chicken! But gee whiz some of the HSBC threads take some reading don't they? I'm going to ask my miniature dachshunds how they fancy Brixton - thanks! Enjoy the rest of your stay - hope you enjoy Spanish food as much as I do. Hasta la vista mi gran amiga. Van

Tinacee, in an endeavour to try and be of some assistance I must assume certain things one of which is that your situation is almost a reversal of someone looking after an aged parent. In such a case I would suggest an immediate drawing up of an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) to handle your son's affairs. Obviously this must be drawn up by a solicitor at your son's instruction. There is considerable urgency to do so, as the law is changing at the end of September to prevent new EPAs from being drawn and introducing a much more lengthy (and therefore much more costly) Lasting Power of Attorney which I would think unnecessary in your case. I'm not a lawyer, and this is my personal suggestion in an endeavour to help. Good luck. Van

Er...... pink eye, actually. So do I Van

Don't forget to camp on high ground and chill out for the weekend. Remember the National Debtline's phone lines could be quite busy on Tuesday. Hope you get good weather. Regards. Van

Hello, hello PD what's all this then? Touch of ojo rojo? Just as I was getting used to the stylish...er...salamander. Van (Sorry Angel - I've done the unforgivable and hijacked your thread. Read pink duchess -v- HSBC and understand a bit more about this site)

Gld the wedding went well Anney. What's you other thread - I'll take a look. Best wishes. Van

Most definitely Mazel. You have sent them recorded mail haven't you? Any you will check on www.royalmail.com for proof of delivery? In my cases, once I see that proof I get a nice warm feeling!. If you want me to follow your case just give my scales a click (that's the grey blob at bottom left between the green spot and red triangle. We'll get you on the right track as long as you keep us posted on developments. If you want to see what I mean by 'posted on developments' (and get a bit of gallows humour as well) just locate pink dutchess -v- HSBC on the HSBC section of the Bank Forum. When you've got a cup of coffee and a morning/afternoon to spare that is. You'll see it ain't all doom and gloom out here! Good luck! Van

Mazel, I replied to another post of yours earlier this morning recommending you approached the National Debtline. In my view you do need a DMP (debt management plan) and the other recognised charity CCCS (Consumer Credit Counselling Service) has been a saviour to me. Phone them too on 0800 188-1111. Please advise whether you find my posts helpful as I try to allocate an hour a day to helping newcomers, just as others helped me. Regards. Vandermerwe

No you can't go to jail for a civil debt. As soon as you read this response please, please phone 0808 808-4000. That's the National Debtline. It's a charity, makes no charges and above all is staffed by qualified debt advisers. It's also instantaneous advice (unless their lines are busy) unlike the CAB where there's an element of chance about the advice your receive and when. Please keep us posted on developments, beacuse in my opinion you are being ripped off. Good luck. Vandermerwe

Mazeltov Mazel! You're getting good advice here, but how do Mercers identify you. Don't they ask for 'security' information? If you're so minded you can always ask which Mazel they want (adding there are quite a lot of you) or if they ask for your date of birth either say 'over 21' or give a date that makes you about 15 years old. You do know that Mercers is a wholly owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank plc don't you? Good luck! Vandermerwe