Step Change Debt Charity

[tezza1234]

Im rather confused after speaking with them. To be fair they always have time to speak. I have spoken to 2 different people and been told 2 completely different things. Person 1 was heading down the route of clearing priority debts and getting to the point where i could do a IVA

 

Person 2 said i should go bankrupt tomorrow basically. Now i have total debts of around 19k of which 2.5k is priority debts which i am clearing slowly. and another 5k i have a CCJ on i am contesting. and the other 11.5k is old and nearing becoming SB and or paypay loan loans which started at £200 and are now 2k.

 

And when i mentioned i was contesting a CCJ they didnt like that at all

 

Or when i mentioned getting the debt to a point where i could do a DRO, they didnt like that either.

 

All just a bit confused

[Wintry]

Hi

 

Mmmm, there has been issues raised on another forum with regard to Stepchange, mainly to do with their 'debt remedy tool'

 

They are a charity though and help many people but to be honest on occasions I sometimes wonder on certain areas just how independent and impartial they actually are.

 

However that said, from what you have put so far, it does sound like the fluidity of your situation (if that is the right term) means you may have a number of options.

 

Could you put up your SOA as that would help people guide you better.

 

Just my opinions

[tezza1234]

My SOA i assume you mean Statement of Account, and to which format would i do this please

[Peterbard]

I have noticed of late that some of the debt charities, and pay-plan in particular, have been embarking on some fairly aggressive marketing of IVA's. I have had several reports of people who are running DMP's( some quite long standing ) being urged to transfer to them.

 

Personally I advise against it on most occasions, but it does depend on the circumstances of course.

[tezza1234]

The thing with my debts considering the age, amounts, i think a IVA or Bankruptcy are both a silly option.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

What age are these debts, are they showing on credit reference files?

[tezza1234]

The ages are 2-5 years and yes they are showing on CRA files as Default

[fletch70]

With BR you will be debt free probably in a year. Otherwise you have another few years of dodging the bullet. Personally i do not like the main debt charities except NDL as i do not think they are impartial and i also see times when budgets are tight and they do not get interest stopped.

I am not sure how a DRO would work with SB debts as they still exist.

[tezza1234]

With BR you will be debt free probably in a year. Otherwise you have another few years of dodging the bullet. Personally i do not like the main debt charities except NDL as i do not think they are impartial and i also see times when budgets are tight and they do not get interest stopped.

I am not sure how a DRO would work with SB debts as they still exist.

 

BR I assume you mean Bankruptcy, but that is a last resort isnt it, It costs something like £700 to apply for bankruptcy, then your car/possessions are at risk. You lose bank account and certain business rights. and say bye bye to any credit for 6+ years. BR i consider worth it if you have debts of like 50k+ but with mine the bulk is bloody payday loans and 4+ years old and all are unsecure

[renegadeimp]

it cots 700 for BR yes... unless your creditors do it for you. I almost did that years ago, before i found cag, did some reading up and realised a good 70% of my debts were SB or unenforcable.

 

I see you listed PDL's as your main debts. Can you throw up a thread in the PDL forum with as much detail as you can regarding each debt. Im sure we can get those sorted pretty easily for you.

[tezza1234]

Ok will do, and Yes PDL and Catalogues i have 12 debts with values of £200-£500 each

[renegadeimp]

Get as much info as you an posted up in the relevant forums. PDL's and catalogue debts are normally laden with unlawful penalty fee's. All of which are fully reclaimable at THEIR interest rate. Then theres the issue of CCA's. Most catalogue debts dont have the paperwork needed to enforce a debt, and if the debt has been sold to a DCA, its pretty much guaranteed they dont have the paperwork.

 

If you have ever gotten an offer of a discount, then that debt can be taken as unenforceable and full of unfair charges.

[fletch70]

You have to remember that for a **** 2007 debt a reckon cca will suffice. For a post 2005 debt an online tick is a signature.

If they are pre April 2007 they can not eenforce if you didn't sign an agreement. As for discounts,do not be fooled by the suggestion they are unenforceable. Every case is different

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Statue Barred debts will not be included in BRs all known accounts that are SB should be written to confirming the status of the debt.