On the email, that thought has definitely crossed my mind, they did next to no checks and it was obvious how much debt I was in, they didn’t ask for anything at all, they don’t offer discounts unless they think they might be on a sticky wicket? As for the recorded letter (that I sent to the address in the letter I attached earlier in the thread, not Zopa ) duly noted, I’ll just obtain proof of postage next time and not signed for, I was alarmed by them going straight for court proceedings, do I need to resend the letter by normal post again, or is it ok as it is? Will I receive correspondence with a court date should they actually go for it? thinking about the process, should they not respond to my CCA request within 30 days, are they not in default? I’ll go do some more reading this evening.

Quick update, 1) Zopa, via email, has offered to consider a discount (quoted below) “Please contact us urgently so we can talk about setting up a manageable repayment plan. If you are able to raise some funds, we may be able to offer you a discount to settle your outstanding balance at a reduced rate.” Does that imply that they think the debt may be unenforceable or just them cutting their losses? I’ve not responded. 2) I sent the letter to respond to the letter of claim eventually 17th Nov, as per the information templates, and the postal order. I sent it Royal Mail signed for, I checked the tracking today, and it still says “accepted at post office”. So not arrived, or more likely not signed for? I’ve kept copies and photos of the letter. not sure if this is a tactic of theirs or just genuinely tracking issue/lost? thanks guys!

Got you, I’m on it, will get it sent out today- much appreciated

Thanks guys, I’ll get the spreadsheet going, as you say gives me a target! As for the letter of claim, all understood, just one query, how best to word my reasoning for disputing- is it because I’m disputing it as they haven’t proven that I owe them anything (as they aren’t the oc or have purchased it?) was shocked tbh by how rapid they went for a letter of claim. cheers

Thanks, Updates im starting to see default notices coming through, One major update - mycommunity finance (Brent shrine) sent me a default notice 20/10 exactly 11 days later I’ve had a letter before claim, from town and country debt collection. It has come with the standardised i&e and court advice attachments. how on earth can they immediately issue that? There has been no notice of assignment. thanks Redacted pdf file of letter attached 2023-10-31 T+C PAPLOC Brent Shrine Credit Union Limited TA My Community Bank.pdf

Thanks for the advice on the savings accounts, I’ll go with the ford one looks easy to setup. For the 2nd extra bank account, would monzo or chase be suitable?

Quick update- I’ve completed an I&E with step change, all online, so that I’ve a realistic budget and they advised that if I entered a dmp around £450 pcm- so I’ll aim to put that aside as a contingency each month. Obviously not intending to do this but at least I’ve got a reference number and have a budget worked out in a similar manner to the library on here. I’ve got my Starling bank parachute account setup, next step is to set my wages up for being paid into there, and I’ll create a sub savings account for the savings fund. I’ve cancelled all my non priority direct debits.

Really appreciate the non judgemental responses, thanks means a lot. that’s a really good idea about the savings fund, I’ll see if I can do that. As for the phone- will that work? Or do you think they’ll just go back to my existing number?

Going to buy a filing box to store them. Starling looks good, that’s who I’m going for. I really like the idea of the money management aspect of it too, going to need it Thanks

Thanks for the reply, Point noted re:very, and my van, appreciate it. credit file still clean currently. I’ll get the parachute account and income sorted for there. then stop all payments to non priority debts. ignore all until defaults registered then offer, in writing only, pro rata payments based on proportion of the individual debt vs available spare funds? I’ll keep reading all the self help materials here in the meantime so I’m ready. Thanks again

Hi, been reading up on the forums for a while, like a lot of others I’m in a mess. I’ve got a lot of unsecured credit that as interest rates have risen, has become unmanageable, It’s pretty embarrassing facing up to it, and I probably should have done this a lot earlier instead of robbing Peter to pay Paul. All debt is currently up to date but I’m paying out more than I get in. If I don’t face this now, I’ll end up missing priority debts out within a month or 2 max, or leave my disabled wife or kids short. Mortgage debt- £180000 over 2 mortgages, payments £1600 per month- TSB & 2nd charge from oplo (taken out to extend the house and build a shower room to help my wife) tsb open since 2007 and oplo 2019 Obviously they (with my ct and utilities) are must pay. unsecured debts current balances Aqua card, £6000 £300 pm opened 2016 MBNA cc £14000 opened 2019 £250 pcm Tesco card 1 £3000 opened 2019 £90 pcm tesco card 2 £1000 opened 2016 £40 pcm vanquis card £2600 opened 2013 £146 pcm very £4500 bnpl due November opened 2018 virgin money card £9300 opened 2019 £245 pcm zopa credit card £3000 opened apr 2022 £90 pcm zopa loan 1 £9700 only opened jan 2023 £300 pcm zopa loan 2 £8200 opened march 2022 £220 pcm nb - I’ve had a number of zopa loans paying off then refinancing- so I’ve been in debt to them for about 3 years sky mobile devices - £2700 - £146 pcm opened 2019 elfin market - £1900 - £90 pcm opened 2020 Livelend loan £7500 - £246 pcm opened 2019 mycommunity bank - £9200 - opened 2021- £300 pcm novuna - £521 - £23 pcm opened 2019 secure trust - £850 £21 pcm opened 2022 TSB unsecured loan - £20000 - £491 pcm - opened 2022 TSB credit card - £3500 - £100 pcm - opened 2007 duologi finance - £2000 - £70 pcm - opened 2021 ive also got studio account with no balance, 1 capital one card with £500 with no balance I’ve a car that could possibly fetch £12-14k (camper van I did up) but if I just sold that, and carried on, that would literally only buy me a couple of extra months. i figure I’ve got to do some kind of arrangement with TSB. They are my current account provider, and following the advice here I’ll setup a parachute account with starling. However they also have my main mortgage, happy to take advice from here. I have to pay very, I’ve family who work in the back office. I couldn’t face them chasing me for payment. I earn approx £4500 after tax pcm, have 2 kids and a wife whom cannot work due to illness, and built a lot of the above up when building costs overran, and later burying my head in the sand. All solely in my name i would be happy to setup pro rata payments that are sustainable, but if I have to play hardball to get there- so be it. thanks in advance for the understanding.