Good morning all I successfully claimed back the mis-sold PPI on my horrendous Opus card... Having been bumped across to these charlatans through no fault of my own, it has been an unsavoury experience from start to finish. Opus is without doubt one of the worst operators out there, belligerent employees at their call centre and an attitude that just belies all that is wrong with the system. Thankfully paid off my outstanding balance with thesethis weekend - a cracking feeling

Thanks DX - but realistically, whats the liklihood of this working without puttin my credit report through either a shredder or incinerator...? Please don't think I'm ungrateful for the advice, just a little unsure.

So, the day i dreaded is here. The wife emailed and said the mortgage payment has bounced. I spoke to the bank a while ago and asked what constituted 'late' - their response was that the AC had to be paid off at the end of each month despite the DD date being the 16th. I'm concerned but am determined that we will not los the roof with a late payment. I have researched what options I might have and found PayPlan - are they worth the hassle? I need some help and think it better to deal with this now than later. I am worried sick and want a solution. I don't wish to run from my debts, just buy myself some breathing room. As always, grateful of you good people and your sage advice. - Thanks - AC

Thanks for the message. You're right about approaching the lenders as the accounts are max'ed anyway - closure and interest freeze would help. Is it really that easy or are there specific things to say/not to say when requesting? Mortgage is the number 1 priority. In negotiating with lenders would I have to enrolled in an IVA or is the step before? I am keen not to venture down that path.

Hi all This is my first post for a while and somewhat difficult to write. Firstly, and I guess thats why I am writing, I am trying to come to terms with my situation. I seem to have overstretched myself over the last few years - a common thread I see on here and I am staring into the precipice wondering how to prioritise things from my side. Firstly a breakdown of everything; Mortgage £2400/month (Woolwich) Barclay Loan 1 £9000 Barclayloan 2 £10500 Opus (yes.... a Citi group stitch-up) £14000 MBNA £7000 Barclaycard £7000 BoS Card £3900 (account closed and repaying the balance - from 2009) Barclays OD facility -£15000 With regards to my situation, I work offshore and am paid in Euro's. Unfortunately, the rate has meant I have taken somewhat of a kicking in recent months. I earn well but have seriously over-reached. I earn good cash (€11k/month) but its being swallowed up with these b****y repayments. Having missed the mortgage for the first time this month, I need some advice and welcome the opportunity to turn to the CAG'gers. With the sacrifice I make in working away from wife, kids and family, we should have more to show than a bloody heap of letter at the end of the month. At the risk of sounding complacent, I am aware of the problem, just more the need for assistance in proposing a solution(s). I know bankruptcy would be an option (likely) as I can see more defaults heading my way. I just have the biggest reservations about turning to debt management companies as they seem to take more than they offer and prey on the situation. In retrospect, the mortgage ends its ridiculous rate of 6% next April and this will drop the repayment by £600!!!!! That said, my absolute priority is to keep a roof over the heads of the family. I have contemplated putting the house on the market and feel the need for material possessions (and relinquishing them) might ease us through this. I estimate equity of around £75k which would wipe the slate clean, however, is reliant on a buyer for the house..... ultimately. I woefully regret the situation I am in but am done feeling sorry for myself. Its time to act. Can anyone suggest the best way of tackling this? I really would be grateful of any help. Having read the forum for years, its an amazing tool with great minds contributing to it. If anyone has any advice, it would be gratefully received - and thanks.

This is really interesting. I bought an iMac from the Apple store - at the time, I thought I would pay for it through the BPF option instore. The paperwork was formulated in the store and was referred. I was told to call back in an hour and they should have an answer for me. I carried on shopping elsewhere and returned to the store for checking up reasons! It was approved. Anyhow, I left the store with shiny apple product and paperwork in hand. Credit agreement duly signed and receipt attached. So, some months on I thought I would ring and pay it off. So...... I gave my agreement number to the phone operator and they have no record...... How is this possible? Now the naive amongst us would argue great! A free bit of kit. I'm all the more cynical regarding my credit file - however, on credit expert there is no record of any agreement ever being started. No search, nothing. I'm inclined to keep my mouth shut but things rarely pan out that effective do they..... Is this something that may have happened to anyone else? What would you do? I'm honest and would rather settle up than have this come back on me at a later stage........ in the digital age, things are rarely 'lost'.

This is really interesting. I bought some expensive goods from the apple store in much the same way. At the time, I thought I would pat for it through the BPF option instore. The paperwork was formulated in the store and was referred. I was told to call back in an hour and they should have an answer for me. I carried on shopping elsewhere and returned tp the store for checking up reasons! It was approved. Anyhow, I left the store with shiny apple product and paperwork in hand. Credit agreement duly signed and receipt attached. So, some 12 months on I thought I would ring and pay it off. So...... I gave my agreement number to the phone operator at Barclays partner finance offices and they have no record at all...... How is this possible? Now the naive amongst us would argue great! A free bit of kit. I'm all the more cynical regarding my credit file - however, on credit expert there is no record of any agreement ever being started. No search, nothing. I'm inclined to keep my mouth shut but things rarely pan out that effective do they..... Is this something that may have happened to anyone else? What would you do? I'm honest and would rather settle up than have this come back on me at a .ater stage........

Firstly, thanks to al responding to this thread. This website is nothing shy of inspirational. Right, back-slapping aside, I have an updated set of figures for this bloody mess; £103500 outstanding with Capstone The arrears have been cleared by me today. I also note with interest that they told me there is over twenty years left to run on this mortgage. I find this incredible. With both my parents ageing as we speak, I feel my fellow siblings and I will be left with a nasty settlement figure from this. There is no way on Gods Earth that this is capable of being paid on the income figures we currently have (my parents - not me or my siblings). Interestingly enough, I'm fortuate to earn a good wage, but my siblings are not in a position to help - this just piling frustration on top of the situation. What makes me so mad is that this is the family home, memories etc etc - now I know that any institution couldn't give a **** about the sentimentality of all this (why should they) - but through what I deem irresponsible lending, forecast to fail, they potentially wreck lives. This I feel compounded by having to then deal with partially trained monkeys at C'stones HQ......... frustration abound. Without being able to post a full and comprehensive breakdown of figures, which I WILL do, I think there is a case of mis-selling here. I know that there has been a huge failing of the debtor here, however, isn't the underlying moral of our story a responsibility on the part of the Creditor? Off the top of my head, based on todays date, settlement date of the existing borrowing etc, the mortgage was entered into around or after Oct 04. Is this consequential?

Yes, Magistrates proceedings were issued last time and this time also. My father has buried his head in the sand and ignored both. He was then called by the mortgage company, Capstone, informing him of the pending eviction at the end of the week. What really annoys me is he feels representing himself, or simply acknowledging it, will lead to a public loss of face. I don't seem to be able to get the message through that boxes on the drive/pavement will be a far more public flogging than an appearance in court. Regarding the irresponsible lending thread, can you please expand on this one. I have read with interest about lenders responsibilities to debtors, and would eagerly welcome any further information on this. As I am aware, a Creditor has to enter into a 'sustainable' agreement with the individual. Rather than make legislation up myself, please advise. I can, and will have to cover the mortgage in the short term (not easy, but what can you do with family?) - I'm just thankful of having an amazing, understanding wife who wants to help as well.

Unfortunately being 6500 miles away, my info is limited. They don't appear to be able to make the basic MP. So shy of posting the keys, what other options do you recommend?

Hi - this is my first post on the site, however, as an avid reader I hope someone, somewhere can untangle an absolute dire mess for me. Believe it or not (this isn't a story for The Sun) - but I write on behalf of my father who has got himself in a right pickle with Capstone (oh yeah!) Mortgages. He also has a loan with GE Money and is experiencing severe payment difficulties. As with anything like this, he has buried his head in the sand. So much so, that today I have received my second call in 6 months telling me that repossession is on the cards for a weeks time. He flatly refused to acknowledge what happened during last summer (£10000 arrears to Capstone) and now presents me with a story of £4500 in arrears since last time. From my limited communications with him, I have to act, if not for his sake, then the sake of my poor mother. She almost suffered a breakdown last time this happened, and I fear for her health if it becomes 'latter stage' again. As I type this, I'm currently 6500 miles away from the UK with work, so able to simply assist by phone. Not ideal I'm sure you'll agree. The figures I have to hand are as follows; £125000 outstanding mortgage £25000ish GE money home loan £4500 new arrears to Capstone. At the current time, we are waiting to hear if Capstone will accept a proposal of 50% of the arrears lump sum and then x10 payments of £218.50 to clear the outstanding amount. I almost fell off my chair laughing when he said Capstone have passed the lower BoE base rate on to his mortgage. That aside, I think it best to undertake the payments to Capstone myself and he can pay me back. Having retired early, his income is now much reduced on a Civil Service pension. He claims to clear £1250/month plus some extra cash in hand work from odd jobs. My ultimate question to you, the knowledgable Consumer Forum people, is what do you recommend next? I actually spent two days in the summer clearing £50k worth of accumulated credit card debt/loans etc, so my funds have dwindled to the point where I really can't lay out any more to assist - wife and kids myself to support! Shy of buying their house, I really don't know what to do. I thought about suggesting bankrupcy or even an IVA (but I thought you needed to be in with at least 3 creditors??!). Apologies if this is a long post, but I also feel I lack full substance for you regarding figures. For this I can only apologise again and keep my fingers crossed that Capstone accepts the mortgage arrears proposal (suggested by their telephone minion I might add) - pray for approval is my mantra. Thanks in anticipation for any assistance! angry