Resolved Question

What happens to my debt when i dont pay it?

ive been in debt for a whole year now with credit cards, its come to the stage were i couldnt afford to pay any thing, so i just stopped paying them, the citizen advice told me that nothing would happen to me for not paying them, as it is only about £2.000,
so i took there advice and stopped paying them,
now the debt has been bought by some other company, he keeps sending letters, and calling at my door, which i never answer at all,
what im worried about is can this company come in and take all my furnisher,
do they have the power to break into my house and just up lift every thing,
does any body know what happens now,

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Lets put your mind at rest and get you a good nights sleep. What Breeze has said is plainly wrong. And I don't think Fairfax has told you the whole story about what bailiffs/debt collectors can do.

A bailiff cannot break into your home providing you have not granted them access on a previous occasion. All bailiffs are appointed by either a county court or the magistrates court. If someone turns up on your doorstep claiming to be a bailiff, ask them which court has appointed them, who the creditor is and their licence number. Debt collection agencies will claim to be bailiffs and they will threaten to drill your locks off and other such nonsense. This is illegal. Photograph him/her, get the registration number of the vehicle and call the Police.

The easy way to deal with debt collectors is to ask them to provide you with the original credit agreement signed by you. They are obliged to under the Consumer Credit Act of 1974. Until they provide you with it, they must cease all attempts at collection. Do not talk to them on the phone. Do not give them personal information for ' security ' reasons. Do not sign any letter you write to them if you must contact them. They work on the principle that you are ignorant of your rights and they use this along with fear. Ask this debt collection agency to prove that they are authorised to collect this debt - many aren't.

I would forget the CAB and contact National Debt line for advice. You will talk to a real person even at this time and they will give you very good advice. Also listen to the You Tube links for further information on debt collectors and how they operate. And familiarise yourself with bailiff law from the link provided.

It is awful being in debt and it can drag you down so the last thing you need is cowboy firms operating on the fringes of the law trying to screw money from you.

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Other Answers (7)

• Bailiffs have the right to enter your house and take whatever they think they can sell. The new owner of debt can force you into bankruptcy and you will have to sell your house, then you will have problems renting or buying another house for years. Ignoring debt doesnt make it go away, citizen advice should be made aware of what is happening, as they advised you to take this course of action, get them to write to this person who now owns your debt.

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• First of all , I'm sorry but I simply cannot believe that the CAB gave you the advice you say they did. I have close links with the CAB and feel certain that advice like that would never be given.
  That apart, the fact of the matter is these debts will be chased vigorously, believe me, and could ultimately result in your bankruptcy. You must do something about this immediately. Despite what you have said, I would strongly advise you to revisit the CAB. I am absolutely certain they will be able to help you.

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• You have to pay its your debt !
  
  I know i have been there ... do not ignore debts its simple they wont go away they wont forget, if you have trouble paying simple arrange a plan with them that YOU can afford i have a debt of £3000 with 24studio my situation changed i told them this straight away now i pay £25 a month i was paying £180 if they have a payment that is usually good enough the more you ignore it the more likely you will end up in court with other charges been added
• In UK the debt company can obtain a court order and once granted bailiffs can call ant take goods to the value of your debt . They are not allowed to take basic furniture or bed or cooker but can take Tv,, computer and other items of value ..I think you have been misadvised by CAB ,
• I doubt they can break into your house and take your stuff.
  If the UK is like the US, they can sue you and garnish your wages or levy your bank account.
• No, they cannot break in.
  
  Are you sure that's what advice you were given from CAB, as it sounds very wrong.
• They do not have the power to break into your house. However if there is an open window they can gain entry that way legally. So make sure that all your windows are closed and doors locked.
  However I would also try negotiating with the companies over the phone and explaining your situation. they maybe able to help you settle the debts in an affordable way. Let's face it, it is in their interest to help you.
  Many of these companies buy up the debts for a fraction of the amount outstanding and you may if your lucky end up only having to pay a small amount to clear the debt.

Resolved Question

Who can get the cold weather payments from the government and how do you apply for them?

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Right two things: To the poster below: There are TWO different types of winter payment.

The FIRST:
The over 60's payment is called the Winter fuel allowance is for those over 60 no matter WHAT benefits and in fact they do not have to be even on benefits to get it. Is a payment from £250 to £400 depending on circumstances.

The SECOND type is called the cold weather payment and is NOT dependant on age. People only get it IF they are getting certain benefits AND the weather has been below zero for 7 consecutive days in their own area. (look at the link listed below to check your postcode and if your area has been issued with a cold weather payment)


Payments are paid automatically but there is no set date as to when it is paid. Please read below taken from the website:

People on disability do NOT automatically get this benefit by just being on DLA or Incapacity. They must be getting another element as listed below.



Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance with a support or work related activity component in the main phase.

* Employment and Support Allowance - introduction

* Pension Credit

You may also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each qualifying week IF you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase AND have one of the following:

* a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
* a disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium
* a disabled child premium
* Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
* a child who is under five in the family

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Other Answers (2)

• you do not apply for them, u have to be in receipt of certain benefits and it ispaid auto matically into your bank if your entitled to it. these benefits are Income support,pension credits and jobseekers allowance, esa - support allowance ... DLA IS NOT INCLUDED, neither is INCAPACITY BENEFIT claiments. persons over 65 get it aswell with their pensions.

• Answer hidden due to its low rating

  You have to be in receipt of certain benefits like Disability Living Allowance, be over 65 and some other benefits. They are paid automatically if you qualify into your bank account along with you other benefits.
  
  Follow the link

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Resolved Question

Hubby being made redundant after 10 years service?

he's over 50 so i have worked out his redundancy payment but i'm confused over his notice period and payment in lieu of notice. consultation is due to start but company are really vague and are causing other probs. is he entitled to his redundancy payment and 10 weeks pay in lieu of notice after the consultation finishes and they give him written notice of being made redundant or does that time begin from the time he was first written to stating he could be made redundant!!is he entitled to any payment in lieu of notice ( the company are moving operations at the of the month) . I'm confused

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Yes = Notice starts when he receives a letter saying his job is Redundant (often this is called the Notice of Redundancy letter :-) ) = this can only be issued after the statutory consultation period.

See link (especially 2nd one which explains the process better)


Note that the 'Government Redundancy' calculations are the legal MINIMUM .. almost every company pays at least twice the legal minimum (with no 'cap' on weekly wage)

Note also that he is only entitled to 'money in-lieu' if the Company decides they want him to leave intermediately after the Notice of Redundancy (some Companies choose to put you on 'gardening leave' and some are so mean that they insist you work your notice ...)

Whilst on notice you continue to benefit from every aspect of your remuneration package .. including Pension payments, private health, Co. car etc - and that includes 'earning' holiday entitlement .. so when negotiating money-in-lieu he should make sure he asks for sufficient to cover any non-salary benefits he will be giving up by taking an early termination date

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Resolved Question

What percentage of your wages should you spend on rent?

Say you get £1300 a month after tax, how much should you go up to per month for rent?

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Im single and these are currently my bills = average (remember this is mine and can be different to yours):

I earn about the same as you.

Mortgage: £400 (currently)
Water - £30.35 (not on a meter)
Council Tax - £70 (I get 25% discount living alone)
Gas - £32
Electric - £18
Phone and Broadband - £15.50
TV Licence - £12
Food - £65
Insurance (building and insurance) - £25

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Other Answers (3)

• It depends on what sort of life you like living, and also where you live. A flat in London is going to cost you more than a flat in a smaller town. It will also help if you share accommodation with a friend.
  
  If you are on your own, though, I wouldn't spend more than one third of your wages on rent, and in anybody's language that isn't going to get you the Ritz. You will need at least half the remainder to pay Council tax and bills, which will leave you one third to live on. That's about £333 to feed, clothe, entertain, transport and otherwise amuse yourself away from your job. And, at the end of the day, the property is still someone else's, for which you will have to fight to get repairs done (if you have a bad landlord).

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• As a rule of thumb, you don't want to spend more than 25% of your monthly income on housing, and no more than 35% of your monthly income on housing plus other debt payments (such as student loans, credit cards, etc.). So, assuming your other debt is relatively minor, focus on 25% of 1,300 or 325 a month. If utilities are included you can go a little higher - up to 30% or 390 a month.
• if your Single find a flat for around £350 don't go over £400 there's no need and you wont be able to live well

Resolved Question

Paying my mortgage off?

What do i do with my house deeds, if i pay my mortgage off?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

in the UK you should never pay 100% of your mortgage off, you leave it with say £1 owing, that way the lender keeps the documents safe as they are now, and you only owe £1 which is cheap to keep important ducuments

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Other Answers (2)

• Make sure it is recorded at the Chancery Clerks office and do not lose it.
• safe deposit box

Resolved Question

How to dispute a paypal transaction?

Hi,

I bought a memory stick from ebay a few weeks ago. It arrived the other day, but it is completely faulty. The original auction said it had a 3 year warranty, but has since been pulled from ebay, leading me to beleive that the goods are counterfeit.

Either way I raised a dispute with paypal, and they say to be elligable for a refund I need to return it to the sender, in china, recorded delivery at my own expense! This seems unfair, I believe the seller is fraudulent, even if they are not, if they want the faulty memory stick back, should they not pay for a courier to come collect it? The original ebay auction did say it had a 3 year warranty!

Could I get my bank to reverse the charge? Or is my only option to take the loss myself?

Thanks for any advice

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I'm sorry to say your money is gone. The fraudster has no-doubt withdrawn the funds from PayPal and PayPal can't touch him ..

In this event, PayPal sticks the honest victim with the loss .. and whilst you may THINK they are 'investigating' or will pay up when you provide proof of return deliver etc. what they are ACTUALLY doing is telling you lie after lie in an attempt to prevent you doing a charge back by running you out of time with your Bank ..

Needless to say, if you do wake up to their tricks in time and your Bank does a 'charge back' on Paypal, they will treat you like a criminal(i.e. freeze your account and ban your IP address from Paypal)...

As far as PayPal is concerned, some criminal has defrauded YOU (and not Paypal) .... and if you manage to get your money 'back' from PayPal, then YOU have defrauded PayPal.

PayPal is NOT a Bank .. many honest customers feel they have been defrauded by Paypal when PayPal 'passes on' the criminal actions of others .. many an honest seller has seen their accounts containing thousands frozen for 6 months and their ebay feedback ruined (as other customers payments bounce).

If you can live without Paypal (and in effect, that means without eBay), by all means do a charge back (it's the only way you will ever see your money)

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Other Answers (4)

• Go back to the original auction details. Has the seller got lots of feedback, is it positive if it is you are in luck, they will want to keep their reputation if not then try writing to them about their returns policy you may be in luck.
• You will have the original email from the seller, why don't you try getting in touch with him first and see what happens. The more evidence you can gather the more you can go back to paypal with.
• I wouldn't send it back to the sender, because PayPal are not going to demand proof of a recorded delivery, unless the chinese guy demanded it or complained to PayPal !!!
• I have had problems with 2 items - not arriving.
  
  I raised a dispute and got a full refunded, not from the seller direct, I had to escalate the claim.

Resolved Question

My 2 best mates are on £20k a year. both are 18, ones a designer ones in the army. Anyone elce think this is..?

totally ans utterly bizarre how somebody risking his life and getting £20k a year and somebody who designs clothing in a compfy office is getting the same amount

BIZARRE RIGHT?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Not bizarre in the least! Each one made a choice: one made a "help defend their country" choice, the other made a "creative" choice.

What IS bizarre (and so totally wrong) is that this government places so little value on those who may ultimately make the ultimate sacrifice.

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Other Answers (5)

• No, because if everyone does one thing, nobody does the other. We call ourselves social Fabric. Not everyone can be a doctor, not everyone can be a policeman, not everyone can be a fireman. Collectively we are human. Every function count and contribute to human society.
  
  So , no job is less decent than the other. I guess you are teenager trying to grow up. Just a normal phase of life. Enjoy it.
• I think 20K for serving in the military is low. I see NOTHING wrong with a designer making as much as a soldier. Pay is based on what your PRODUCT is worth to the buyers. If people are willing to pay more for your designs, there is nothing wrong with that.
• No -because they both knew what they'd be earning before they chose their careers
  Do remember your friend in the army gets fed and doesn't have travelling expenses so in real terms he is better off financially
• No. They chose to do what they do and presumably knew what they would be paid. They are also paid by people having different values.
• So, one volunteered to be shot at, and the other gets to use his head for creative purposes?
  
  Seems fair to me.

Resolved Question

Would you recommend NS&I Income Bonds?

Is this a worthwhile investment, or am I wasting my time?
I've just opened an account and looking for as much information as possible.

Thank you for your help :)
http://www.nsandi.com/products/ib/index.…

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Yeah I've got them and they're pretty good. go for it.

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Resolved Question

If you have unmanageable debt, is an IVA a good option?

An IVA - individual voluntary agreement - where I pay £200 a month over 5 years and whatever is left is legally written off is something I am considering as Halifax, RBS and MBNA keep threatening me but also say - 'call us- we'll help you' - when I do - I find myself in a worse situation as they just threaten me more and more. Has anyone gone through IVA - I just want to keep my home - and manage to try and get my life back. I have no problem paying, but the interest is just so over the top. Thank you.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Some friends of mine are in an IVA at the moment,as you already know it's a 5 year commitment,but the interest on their debt is frozen and they say that the relief at not having the stress of dealing with threatening letters and phone calls, is in their opinion,well worth it,and like you they are able to make the agreed repayment.
I can't say one way or the other if you should use an IVA but I do know that they are a lot happier now, knowing exactly what their monthly repayment will be,and that it will not change.
If it's any help they went through ivanetworks.com
Good luck.

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Other Answers (2)

• It can be, though I'd think very catefully beforehand and consult with the CAB.
• The main thing here is that you need help from a competent third party in managing your debts, whether that be the local CAB or an insolvency practitioner. The CAB is always free and a good money advisor can get to grips with yor creditors and get decent arrangements in place but equally you have to be pro-active and committed to whatever is on the table. An IVA is okay but will cost you ( the insolvency practitioners have to be paid ! ) and part of your payment goes to them. The problem with IVA's is that they can be a financial strain as they have to be paid for 60 months and the insolvency practitioner in charge doesn't always assess you correctly as to adequate disposable income and that makes payment that much harsher. Plus if you default on an IVA, your bankruptcy may be automatic. Personally I would see the CAB for initial advice and take it from there. The main thing is to get interest on all accounts frozen if possible. And don't be bullied by your creditors .... they can be guilty of harrassment if they persist in threats. Every debt situation is solveable, you just have to take the right road.

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Resolved Question

How much do you pay for your gas and electric?

Well with a difficult economic problem and the cold besieging us how much would your gas and electric cost for this quarter. I'm looking forward to a bill of about £380 from nov-jan with eon I think and that's on a standard package. How much are you going to pay and with which company.

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I pay £0.75 per cub mtr for gas, this quarter is calculated at £108.41 not containing discounts for dual fuel. But that depends upon how you use your boiler.

For electric I have been averaging around £50-£60 for the last year. That is £0.23 per kw hr. premium rate.

And before you decide that I live in a 1 bedroomed flat. My boiler uses 1 Cu Mtr per hr.

Since I am still in credit for both then I am not that bothered.

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• in credit with both for now, see what april brings

Resolved Question

Is it possible to shut down a bank account?

I have a HSBC current account and i would like to shut it down and not use it anymore.
Is it actually possible that i can shut it down and get deleted off the bank's system?
thank you!

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You can certainly withdraw all your funds from your accounts and payoff all your loans with the bank, however, the bank will maintain your banking history with them for at least 7 years (or until they install a new computer system and someone accidentally purged your account).

Do visit your branch and speak with a customer service rep so that you can take care of all fees, pending transactions etc ...

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Other Answers (4)

• yes you can close your own account. you need to go to the branch tell them you want to close he account. withdraw all money or pay any owing job done.
• Yes. It's called "closing" an account. But the bank retains internal records on it permanently.
• Yes, just speak to the bank.
• pay any amount owing or withdraw all from account call into branch and ask to close account , they will tell you for how long your details will be kept on file

Resolved Question

How can i, a 14 year old, make £300?

i need to make some money for a ps3 im going to sell my xbox for £160 + games any other ideas?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

OK, so that's £160 in the bag. You need another £140 then...

When I was 14 I used to babysit, and get a tenner a time. Things are a bit different these days though: there's a lot of moral panic about kids and stuff, so you may not have much luck getting babysitting jobs.

You might get away with charging a tenner for a car wash. Practise on a family car to make sure you know what you're doing, get some chamois leather, car shampoo, a bucket etc. and do a door-to-door. Explain that you're trying to earn some money for a PS3, and you've only got fourteen cars left to go - most folks like to see an enterprising youngster working for something rather than just demanding it!

Paper rounds can be a complete rip. Some places will pay absolute peanuts, others will pay something reasonable. Check your local newsagents out.

You might be able to blag a few quid for doing other odd jobs too.

Sadly in this day and age, nobody really trsusts anyone else. You'll get whinges about how you can't do X, Y and Z 'because of Health and Safety', or because 'that Law says you can't do it until your 16'. Ignore the whingers, and be persistent.

Edit: I found this page which has some helpful info about what you can and can't do at 14...

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/…

This should help!

Pester family members, neighbours etc. for bits of work.

Make a little chart and put it on your bedroom wall. Colour in each £10 you make until you get to the magical £300 figure, and adorn it with pictures of your PS3 as a reminder of what you're working for.

Hide the money away somewhere, and above all DON'T SPEND IT ON ANYTHING ELSE.

And remember: you only fail when you give up...

Good luck mate!

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Other Answers (3)

• Get a loan from your Mum and pay her back from your pocket money.
  
  Paper round, milk round, sell organic crisps, snacks and fruit at school (ask head teacher first), set up a car wash round in your street with clean water and sponges.
  
  If you're in Britain now, offer to clear the snow from people's driveways for £1 a time or their cars for 50p - you could earn £50 in one street in a day easy!
  
  Do a good job and tell people what you want the money for and you might get some tips.
• Sell some stuff on eBay, get a job are just a couple of ideas ;)
• babysitting?
  if you like kids thats an idea

Resolved Question

What is a good way of making money?

Basically i work monday - friday and want to do something in my spare time to make extra money. Anyone got any ideas. please specify your expected start up cost.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Make a free blog at blogger about something you are good at or truly interested in, and than put adsense on it, bring people to your blog, each time your ads get clicked you'll earn money. I can assure that you will love working on it. If you want more info let me know.

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• I make money online in my spare time using a site called CashCrate. It is a GPT (Get Paid To) site where you get paid to fill out surveys and complete free offers. You dont need a credit card and will never have to spend a dime. CashCrate is the most reliable and safest GPT site you will find on the internet. You wont get rich from cashcrate but you can earn about $50-$200/month on average. Below is the URL to my blog dedicated to cashcrate. In it is everything you need to know to get started as well as Proof that CashCrate Pays. If you are interested please check it out.
  
  p.s. If you have any questions you can email me at pronk48dh@yahoo.com

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• go to prom with high school kids for money...my friend makes a few hundred dollars each year this way...

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Resolved Question

What would you do with £10000? Serious answers only please.?

Its how much I have saved at the moment.

I am debt free and have no ties, single, kid free, 31 and in excellent health.

Im currently unemployed, living in England and strongly considering emigrating to another country for a better climate.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

So.... you reached the ten grand mark on your savings eh?
"Woo-hoo!", pats on the back and well done!
It's started itching at your wallet hasn't it?

You don't have to do anything with it.... leave it in a trusted savings account and let the interest fertilise it until it grows to an even bigger money tree.

I would say you are in a GREAT position right now, except.. you are unemployed. So if you spent your savings, you wouldn't have the chance to replace the funds.

If you use some of it to get yourself abroad, save the rest to get yourself back home if you need to, things could go really wrong and you could get stranded. Things could go really right and might need some money for a marriage, house and family.

If you decide to spend it, spend it on something that you wil remember happily for the rest of your life and get some great stories to amaze your friends and family with.

10 thousand isn't alot, espesially if it took you a long time to save it.

Whatever you do with it, ask yourself "Will I regret this, later in life?"

You have so many options.....enjoy it now....... or enjoy it later.

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Other Answers (8)

• Have you got another country in mind? If its somewhere you have been before and know that you'd like living there then go for it! If you're thinking of going somewhere you've never been then think twice amount spending all your money to move because you might end up hating it.
  
  You're young, single and care free so grab the opportunity to do something even if it's just traveling around the world and not permanently moving. You should definitely put some of the money by though. You don't know what's round the corner and if it ended up with you having to come back home then you would need money to get you by before finding a job and getting paid.
• £10K is not a lot and you just about enough to live on for a year, mortgage/rent food etc, as you are unemployed i would invest it in gaining employment, eg a training course, college or seed money to start a business, this will give you hope for your future
• 1. Gamble it all in the lottery
  2. Buy a mankini made entirely of pure gold
  3. Buy a stripper
  4. Adopt a child
  5. Give it to me / or charity
  6. Use it to travel instead of staying in one country
• Do it, if you havnt got any ties and no job what is stopping you? Enjoy it while you can.
• go on a crazzzzy shopping spree!! and party. not the smartest ways 2 spend it but it would be so much fun.
• new car? invest it in something? shopping spree?
• use it to move to a better climate.
• Save it for a rainy day when you need it most.

Resolved Question

Wheres cheaper to live, Ireland or England (excluding the capitals)?

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My relatives in UK say they find it very expensive in Ireland. On the other hand, when I visit there, i don't find a huge difference in prices, especially now as the euro and pound sterling are so close in value. And there are hundreds of people who go to Northern Ireland for shopping, saying they save so substantially to more than make the journey worthwhile.

In UK they have council tax, poll tax, water bills which we don't have here. Their council tax includes refuse collection. Here we have to pay for a private service as the councils no longer do it. At the moment (ever since an election promise years ago) water is free in town areas, though rural people on group water schemes have to pay. And it doesn't cost anything like UK water prices ever since water was privatised. Tax on residential properties was abolished years ago - another election promise, although if you have a second home there is now a €200 annual tax. It is probably only a matter of time until domestic house rates and water rates are reintroduced.

If you are a pensioner, the Irish pension is higher and includes free TV licence, credit allowance on electricity and phone bills, free travel on trains and buses. The UK system is not as generous.

Education is "free" right through third level, though with "voluntary" registration fees and contributions required, many would say it is not free at all. In UK, it is different. At third level, students are mainly financed by loans which they have to repay later.

Swings and roundabouts. Each place is strong in one area and weaker in another.

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Resolved Question

If I wanted to buy somethin off ebay for £15 And I alredy had £4 on paypal wud £11 go off my debit card or £15?

Sorry for the bad spelling but I couldn't fit it all on

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

if you are in credit by £4 when you buy/pay for the goods you want this should automatically be deducted from what you owe. that's what has happened when i have been in credit.
sometimes its hard to see whether it has been, but just check you order payments on your account for reassurance.

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Other Answers (2)

• I have had this before with Ebay and they took the money from my debit card and not my paypal account, they seem to think that money belongs to them which I disagree with, if every person on Ebay or who had a paypal account had £4:00 in it how much interest would paypal get ???
  
  Exactly it doesn't bare thinking about
  
  
  .
• I have met similiar problem before, here list of sites http://webfin3.notlong.com/1AABerV

Resolved Question

Debt collectors letter?

OK I have just received a letter from a debt collection agency , chasing a debt , my firm belief is that my ex partner has passed this information on to them , this in retaliation of a custody battle which is not going her way , hard to prove but 99.9% sure , what if I ignore this letter ? by me responding only gives them confirmation . or apply for bankruptcy ? any thoughts any one

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Ask yourself this question: if I walked up to you in the street and demanded a £100 from you for an alleged debt. Would you pay it? I can guess the answer would be no. This is all this debt collection agency is doing.

DO NOT telephone them. If you must contact them, do it in writing and DO NOT sign the letter. They are known to copy signatures. I would write to them asking them to provide proof that they are authorised to collect this debt. Many aren't. I would also ask them to provide you with a copy of the original credit agreement under the Consumer Credit Act of 1974. Until they provide you with this evidence ( and it is very unlikely that they will depending on the age of the debt ) they cannot enforce collection. This means no more nasty letters, no phone calls, nothing.

I would contact National Debt line on this issue. They are more clued up than the CAB. I used to work for the CAB and some are dreadfully out of touch. Also listen to the links on You Tube for good advice on debt collectors. 1st Direct are under the eye of Office of Fair Trading for their illegal practises. If you do owe the debt, there is nothing stopping you paying the original creditor therefore depriving these parasites of money.

There is a whole series of advice on debt collectors from the You Tube link I have provided. Listen to them. Remember though; debt collectors work on fear. They use language such as ' bankruptcy' ' court action ' legal action ' ( often the same company masquerading as solicitors ) Check them out with the Law Society. It is a criminal offence to claim to be solicitors when you are not. Most of what they have written in their pathetic letter will be bullshit and once they know that you know your rights, they tend to bugger off.

Have fun.

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Other Answers (7)

• First of all, do not ignore the letter, if you do, everything escalates and you finish up owing more with possibly CCJ, etc.As regards bankruptcy, why? There are costs to go bankrupt and it affects you for years, plus you risk losing all your assetts.
  Talk to the agency, find out the details of the debt, if it is one you are responsible for, make an offer to pay it off at a rate you can afford. If the debt is not yours, point the agengy in the right direction especially if you have proof the debt isn't yours
• If this is a legitimate debt, whoever you owe the money to would have given your account to a collection agency. Collection agencies just don't work off tips from people, they are hired by the debtor and receive a percentage of what they collect. You didn't say how much the amount owed is so it's hard to say what you should do. If it is a crushing debt that you have no way to pay, then bankruptcy is an option, but that should be a last resort.
  
  There is no harm in ignoring the letter and seeing if they follow up in any way.
• Okay, if you contact the collection Agency then they know the contact information is correct. Also, they can then nail you into the ground with phone calls and harassing messages to collect. No, you do not have to respond back to the letter unless you want them to validate the claim or in a request to writing your mailing address.
  
  My advise to you would be to report them to the BBB and file a complaint.
• If you owe debt and you're getting debt collection letters then I advise you to contact your citizens advice. They will go through everything with you and will contact the people you owe debt to on your behalf.
  
  Don't ignore it because then the situation will escalate out of control and they will think you are avoiding them which annoys them.
  
  Good luck

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• Your ex did not have to supply your info. The collection agency just runs your SSN and knows where you are. Contact them and make arrangements to pay your debts. The family court will not be impressed with that on your record.
• If the debt is yours you need to face up to it and deal with it. The agency will have been checking at your previous address
• It doesn't matter who "passed information on to them." Is the debt yours or not?

Resolved Question

I want to leave home but have a flat under my name?

I want to leave home because of my husband the problem is that I have 3 children.

My husband made me agree to put a flat under my name a few years back, so I'm afraid if I leave the council will not give me a council flat because of that.

The problem is I do not have any doccuments for the flat as my husband takes care of that, so I'm stuck , even If I was able to get them and sell the flat first my husband would find out before I co do anything and besides the flat is already being rented out to someone.

The money from their rent goes directly back into the mortgage, again I have nothing to do with it, and I make no money from it. He just put it under my name.

I really want out so your advice would really make a difference to our future ,

Thanks

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

If the flat is under your name the council may suggest that you just get rid of the tenants and move in there, they may be able to offer help to pay the mortgage if you can't afford it though. The best thing would be to go to your bemefits office and ask, it will vary depending on how much money you earn etc but I doubt that if you own a property you will get a council house. If it is under your name you have the right to sell it or do what you want with it but if your husband is controlling that obviously may be difficult. If you ask what your council can do for you, just explain your situation.

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• In the UK, the Citizens Advice Bureau is definitely the place to go - both for advice on your finances and domestic issues. You will need to make an appointment with an adviser and you should take whatever documentation you may be able to get hold of. This would include bank statements if possible. They deal with a wide variety of problems in confidence and will be able to help you, I'm sure.
• If you can afford it see a solicitor, but you don't say if you have approached your husband on the subject of separation. If you are afraid to do this because you fear he could become abusive or violent, then you could go to a women's refuge which you can contact through the CAB if you are in the UK, and they will help you sort out your problems without fear of repercussion from your husband
• I strongly recommend that you speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau. They are excellent and will be able to advise you.
  Good Luck.

Resolved Question

If I am in receipt of benefits & tryin to get a job but can't - how would receiving a grant affect me?

If I could get a grant to maybe start a club of some sort. Do I then declare the grant to all benefits? I hate being on benefits but am just not able to get work. I've racked my brains trying to think of ways to earn money. I.e. I could teach beginners piano. But then I can't have the money... so what do I do? I.e. I know I am allowed to have £20 (which I am getting) but I obviously want to build up earnings so that I can get out of the benefit trap!

I've filled in lots of 'online application forms, but nothing, I've signed up for agencies, still nothing. I've done a degree in Community work & studied for 5 years. But I am so broke, I can hardly afford shopping & fuel bills?????????????????????

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Ask your jobcentre adviser for a better off i work calculation to see how your benefits would be affected by taking a relatively low paid job. You can often continue to get benefits like tax credits and housing benefit while you're on low pay, so it can be better financially than you'd think.
Try calling in on the agencies once a week and agree with them what they and you are going to do to get you a job. Remind them that you're really keen, and that they only get paid when you're in work. Try getting a good CV together and sending it to employers even if they don't have vacancies advertised - lots of jobs are never advertised.
Declare your grant, and good luck.

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No other answers.

Resolved Question

How much am i paying for electricity per kw/h through my key meter?

My supplier is Southern electric.
Thanks

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

You should have a small book with the meter, and tells how to operate it, and by pressing a certian button x number of times, will display the amount per kw/h.

I have one.

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Other Answers (3)

• Mine is with EDF and is £20- £30 a month for a two bed flat with 2 people. It depends on what Southern Electric's standard daily charge is and then what you use on top.
• Check your bill it will tell you. It is about 10 cents per kilo Watt hour.
• it really all depends on what your running on it
  mine is about £8 a week but i live on my own

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