Wonga is offering write-offs to 375,000 of its current customers because its affordability assessments have been inadequate. This was agreed with its regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and announced on 2nd October 2014. Wonga has agreed to make significant changes to its business immediately to try to prevent these problems happening in future. Who is being compensated? The … [Read more...]
Debt Camel is One – and it’s been a busy year!
On 12th September 2013, Debt Camel went live. This seems like a good time to reflect on how the first year has gone and look forward to the next year. Most read pages Apart from the Home page, the most read page was the main one explaining Bankruptcy – the big questions. I think I would have guessed that correctly if I had been asked on launch day! What I wouldn't have predicted were the next … [Read more...]
DRO consultation – what changes are needed?
In August 2014, the Insolvency Service issued a Consultation on Debt Relief Orders (DROs) and Bankruptcy petition limits. I think there are a lot of problems with the personal insolvency regime in England and Wales (see my article last week about the recent insolvency statistics) and so this consultation provides a welcome opportunity for the Insolvency Service to get industry responses on many … [Read more...]
Bankruptcy – will the OR make me …. ?
Debt Camel's bankruptcy information looks at the major questions most people have about bankruptcy - will my job be affected, what will happen to my house etc. There are two other types of queries that people have: concerns about their assets, which I covered in a previous article, and worries about what powers the Official Receiver has to control people's lives, which I am going to be looking at … [Read more...]
Use a gift to make Full and Final settlements
You can use gifts to make settlement offers to debts you are in arrears with. These offers are often called called "Full and Final offers" and F&Fs for short. They are explained in detail here. Using a gift of money to do this is almost always a good idea! In a F&F that 2k could potentially be used to clear £3,000, £4,000 or more of debt, so it can be an excellent use of the … [Read more...]
Is a DRO better than a DMP or bankruptcy?
Choosing between a Debt Relief Order (DRO) and other debt solutions is often a pretty easy choice! Let's look at when a DRO is a good option for you and what the alternatives might be. Debt Relief Orders DROs are a form of insolvency in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For an overview of DROs, read What is a Debt Relief Order? They are meant for people who have little or no spare income … [Read more...]
Will debt collectors stop calling after a Debt Relief Order?
One of the biggest advantages of a Debt Relief Order (DRO) is that it is a formal, legal debt solution. It prevents your creditors taking any further action against you for debts that are included in your DRO: you can't be taken to court for a CCJ (or a Liability Order for council tax arrears); if you already have a CCJ, the creditor can't send the bailiffs in - and debt collectors should … [Read more...]
What taxes are included in bankruptcy?
A reader has asked which year's income taxes are included in bankruptcy? HMRC used to have a special status as a preferred creditor, but since 2003 tax debts are treated the same as other debts and are wiped out by bankruptcy. There are however a few complications, so this article looks at all the different types of taxes and what happens to each of them when you go bankrupt. In particular, there … [Read more...]
Inheriting money when bankrupt
A reader has asked if my recent article on redundancy payments and bankruptcy also applies to inheriting money or assets when you are bankrupt. The answer is "Yes", but there are a few extra points to consider. The date of death is the key date You become entitled to an inheritance as soon as the person has died, so it legally forms one of your assets from this point. There are three cases … [Read more...]
Will the OR take my redundancy money?
A reader has asked: I have been offered redundancy. I would like to retrain for a more interesting job, but I still have nearly a year of IPA payments to make, so will the Official Receiver take all my redundancy pay? It depends on your discharge date The answer to the question depends on whether the last day of employment is before or after the date of discharge from bankruptcy. There are … [Read more...]
Keep a spending diary – or get an app to do it for you!
If you feel your money just vanishes or you are worried your budget isn't realistic, tracking your spending will give you the facts you need to take control. Without knowing what you actually spend, all too often plans to cut back are just good intentions that don't work in practice. Why you need a spending diary Many people have little idea about what they spend - it feels as though their … [Read more...]
Informal or formal arrangement with my creditors?
What is the difference between a formal and an informal arrangement with my creditors? a reader asked. This post looks at what the alternatives are and how to decide which is better for you. If you pull on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, then it's easy enough to add a jumper if it gets chilly or switch to old trainers if your new shoes are rubbing. But you need to plan formal dress more … [Read more...]
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