Am so worried and scared - multiple payday loans

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi there, and welcome to CAG!

 

I am so sorry that you have lost your dog. You must be broken-hearted. She was lucky to have such a wonderful owner who cared so much for her.

 

You won't be charged with fraud, so please don't worry about that.

 

I don't know enough about the payday loan companies you have listed, but others will be able to advise you. Some will scream and yell and others will be more reasonable. If they cause you too many problems we can tell you how to deal with the harassment and get them to back off.

 

Step Change can be helpful because they tend to keep DCAs/creditors in line. How much is outstanding on the Step Change dmp?

 

Please don't worry. All the payday loan companies know they can't actually get money you don't have.

 

DD

[Desperate Daniella]

Good morning,

 

I don't know if StepChange will kick you off. You could explain the circumstances and hope you speak to someone who understands and is sympathetic. After all, you didn't realize your vet's fees wouldn't be covered. You are a lovely person and you did the best for your dog.

 

You could then ask for a second chance. If they do kick you off you can start threads here for any of your creditors who won't continue to accept the agreed payments and we'll advise.

 

I think it's highly unlikely that the payday lenders will turn up at your house. They may threaten to send someone, but if they do we can give you a letter to send, warning them they will be trespassing. Let's worry about that later.

 

You probably don't want to risk upsetting your dmp, so the best thing is probably to email the companies and say you can't pay back the full amount. As there are six of them and you say you can afford £80 per month between them, I would offer them £10 each to start with and ask them to freeze the interest. That way you'll be able to see who is difficult and who, if any, might be reasonable. However, StepChange might be more effective in getting them to freeze the interest so you may have to go to them ultimately and hope they'll sort it out for you. I'm sure you won't be the only person who has taken out payday loans while on a StepChange dmp, and they are a charity so I would think that they do give people at least one second chance, especially in circumstances like this.

 

It probably is a good thing that you have closed your bank account as payday loan companies are notorious for helping themselves even if someone has tried to renegotiate the agreed payment.

 

Just take one step at a time.

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi there,

 

How are you getting on?

 

DD

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi there,

 

It's probably best to phone Step Change - You'll then at least speak to someone who can give you some immediate advice.

 

Do you have to pay for the plan with Money Expert? Please forgive my ignorance here. If you do, then I would leave it.

 

If anyone turns up, and mostly they threaten to but don't appear, then you can hand them the "Doorstep" letter and tell them to go away. They have absolutely NO powers, no matter what they say, and you don't have to speak to them.

 

If you go to 'Library' at the top of the page and follow the directions to the debt letters you'll find it.

 

If they write to you saying they are coming, send that letter by return, or by email.

 

Don't panic, and hang on until you have got an answer from Step Change.

 

DD

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi,

 

Please keep trying with Step Change and let me know what they say.

 

DD

[Desperate Daniella]

I am so happy to hear that things have been resolved for you. I'm glad they realised you had genuine mitigating circumstances.

 

I don't know about Welcome but there are lots of people here who will help you to sort them out, I'm sure. Good luck with that too.