First step Finance - **BANNED DIRECTORS STOLE +£6M**

[diamondgirl]

Hi well done PCB. Glad you got it sorted before the previous employees took it over. So many people have paid so much over the years that company started and still find themselves in a mess because of them.

 

Again, well done to you.

 

DG xxxxxxxxx:-o

[nancysmile]

Merry Xmas Diamond Girl and thanks for your help over the year xxx

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi PCB,

 

That is fantastic news and you must be so relieved. I know what a nightmare you had at the beginning and I am so pleased that FSF finally got their act together for you.

 

Thank you for the compliments, and thank you too, nancysmile. I feel quite embarrassed, and I'm only glad if I helped.

 

DDxxxxxxx

[nancysmile]

You did DD xxxxxxxx

I was so so so so lucky to get all my money back plus what they had paid out to my creditors..that was down to my involvement with the OFT and fortunate timing.

It has taught me a lesson, which I thought I knew already but if something sounds too good to be true, it is xxx

[Desperate Daniella]

Thank you.

 

Sometimes, just occasionally, something that sounds too good to be true is actually absolutely wonderful (and I speak from experience), but I doubt if that applies to anything to do with the financial sector.

 

xxxxxx

[nancysmile]

Hahaha ...yes I should have said 'anything to do with money' really x

[Poor-Credit Borrower]

Just to say thank you for your help diamondgirl and Desperate Daniella during the last couple of years or so, and I'd like to wish you both and nancysmile a wonderful Christmas. In fact, festive seasonal greetings to all on CAG! Hope some more on here become debt-free very soon too!

 

PCB xxxxxx

[Poor-Credit Borrower]

Hello PCB and I am so pleased to hear that you are free!!!

Welcome Finance that has to be the most ironic name ever BTW

I think FSF sorted themselves out in so much as they were trying to sell the company ..there seems to have been some manoevers but at least it meant they got their act together.

Desperate Daniella well done indeed xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

I tried searching for the thread "Welcome Finance", but when I clicked on that name it just came up with the FSF posts again... so not sure what to do. But just briefly, I can now afford to pay the debt to them outright, but not sure if I should let them stew a little bit and do some negotiating. Think I'll ring them and ask what is the minimum amount you'll accept if I pay it all in cash now? To be fair, they have frozen interest for about the last four years. Or is it best to write to Welcome (agree it is an ironic name!) and ask for the original agreement via a DSAR? It goes without saying that I shan't use any 'debt management' co or anything like that!!

Edited December 13, 2013 by Poor-Credit Borrower
typo

[nancysmile]

I found it in the Welcome Finance forum (I looked after you said you were going to write)

Merry Xmas to you all too xxx

[Poor-Credit Borrower]

Hi nancysmile, I have now sent a post in one of the Welcome Finance threads. I did mean to enclose the link to that thread here, but I forgot to and have now closed the window - sorry! I have chosen a thread where something has been happening in the last month or so and not 3 to 5 years ago! If you or anyone else searches for one of the threads which includes 'PPI claim' too you should be able to find it and it will have a post of today's date! It does include a question about PPI from WF too. Thanks x

[nancysmile]

Hello PCB

Just had a thought about an unenforceable debt becoming enforceable which sounds weird to me. FSF would have charged you 25% of the debt as a write off fee. Did they refund that fee when the debt became enforceable again?

 

Welcome at one point were taking 20p in the pound I believe and I am sure they will be open to a full and final settlement as opposed to small monthly payments (I got this advise from someone who knows)

Hope it helps

Nancy

[Poor-Credit Borrower]

Hi Nancy, I have just written a long reply to your helpful post but have lost it because of computer/internet problems. Haven't got time to re-compose the message now sorry, but yes they have charged 25% for "non-persual" of the debt. If I get time later today or tomorrow, i'll reply more fully.

PCB

[silverfox1961]

An important announcement from the FCA for all customers of this company and all associated trading names.

 

 

http://www.fca.org.uk/news/important-information-for-debt-management-customers-of-debt-help-advice-ltd

[dx100uk]

as we've seen with other announcements like this

 

if you start getting calls from other companies

'claiming' to have taken on their old portfolio

and trying to get you to now pay them.

 

CHECK OUT THE DEBT VERY CAREFULLY

 

ask here for advice

 

NEVER EVER EVER talk on the phone about yours debts

 

tell them IN WRITING ONLY

 

and put the phone down

 

dx

[Wintry]

Hi

 

 

Sadly for those affected, it looks like a case of here we go again

 

 

W

[diamondgirl]

Debt Help and Advise aka First Step Finance and other associated companies have finally gone into Administration all staff have lost their jobs. Dont pay any more money to any of them and make sure your d/d, s/o etc are cancelled as no money will go to any creditor

 

DG

[nancysmile]

Hello DG

Yes I just heard of this on Weds :O(

I have a friend who has about 3k in his 'pot' so I just hope he can get this back.

Apparently the Whitehursts went in to tell the staff, even though they were supposed to have sold FSF. Dodgy/not transparent till the last I think.

Nancysmile

[nancysmile]

http://www.fca.org.uk/news/important-information-for-debt-management-customers-of-debt-help-advice-ltd

Just seen this on another CAG thread about what to do

Nancy

[Blazing Saddles]

looks like all client funds have gone it's disgraceful anyone who was owed money should report it to the police to make sure they don't just get away with it they'd do it to you as quick

[Blazing Saddles]

Not necessarily there must have been millions in the clients account with 3k customer accounts where has that gone if it were me I'd report it to the police

[nancysmile]

I just saw this link yesterday

http://www.platinummanagement.co.uk/FSF.html

It does indeed seem like there is no money in the 'pot'

I don't know what people can do, I will call the person at OFT and ask

Nancy

[diamondgirl]

It appears that they have oft it to Spain. Looks like none of the staff are going to get a penny either. Im sure that all the bosses involved will have made sure they have money in the bank thats the type of people they are.

DG

[nancysmile]

I knew their house was up for sale and wondered where they were going ........

Such a shame for all the staff, they have been shafted as well, it is disgraceful.

People should really go to the police

[diamondgirl]

I agree, they have ruined so many lives. As with most of these type of people they squirrel the money away and presto they get on a plane and get lost. Her hubby has been bankrupt before and I understand everything is in her name so its possible she could end up going the same way, money probably in the kids or family name so nobody can get it

DG

[nancysmile]

Well the house is for sale for over 600 K so that would help alot of people...I hope they can secure some for their victims

Nancy