In September 2022, the debt collector Lowell bought Hoist's UK business, with over 2 million defaulted accounts. Most of these debts were loans, credit cards or overdrafts from lenders such as Barclays, Egg, HSBC, Newday and Santander. Lowell is moving over the Hoist accounts to its system. With so many accounts to be transferred, this is being done in batches. When yours is switched … [Read more...]
I have a letter from a debt collector – what can they do?
If you get a letter saying that a debt has been sold to a debt collector you may be very worried. This article answers common questions about what has happened and how it will affect you: will the debt collection agency (DCA) be horrible to deal with? is it legal to do this? do you still have to pay the money? what about your credit record? what if you don't owe the money? I … [Read more...]
What happens after discharge from bankruptcy?
This article looks in detail at what happens when you are discharged from bankruptcy: the practicalities, the implications for savings and gifts and the restrictions that end after discharge. Discharge is almost always after 12 months Almost everyone is discharged from bankruptcy automatically 12 months after the date they went bankrupt. During these 12 months when you are bankrupt, you have … [Read more...]
The debt collector wants to review my monthly payment
Mr A asks: I have had an arrangement with a debt collector for a number of years, paying £10 a month. They have sent a letter asking for a review. Do I have to do this? Can they do anything if I just continue with my current payments? You don't have to give these numbers but... It is a good idea to give revised details Everyone was happy when the arrangement was set up. Mr A was relieved … [Read more...]
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) – should you take this loan?
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) helps some people with the cost of their mortgage if they aren't working. Since 2018 this help has been paid as a loan secured on your house, not a benefit, see the gov.uk page on SMI. But this loan is cheap, you don't have to make any repayments to it until the house is sold and it does not show on your credit record, so this is not as bad as it … [Read more...]
Correct credit records by “suppressing” them if the lender has disappeared
If you feel that your credit report is wrong, the usual first step is to ask the lender to put this right. But when the lender is in administration, the administrators may not respond to requests from you to correct your credit files. And if the lender has been liquidated, there is no-one for you to contact. Here the Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) should help if you ask them to. Incorrect … [Read more...]
“Persistent debt – Halifax want me to make higher credit card payments”
Mrs X was happy when Halifax told her in November 2022 that they were cutting the interest rate on her credit card - down from 32% to 15%. But just two months later Halifax sent another letter saying she must make higher "Recommended Payments" or she can't use the card any more. She says: Halifax want me to pay at least £102 a month, about £20 a month more than the minimum. They say this … [Read more...]
4 steps to take if you lose your job
A reader asks: Help! I have just been made redundant and I don't know how I am going manage, especially as we have debts. I'm only getting a few weeks redundancy pay. What should I do? A lot of firms are closing or going under in 2023. Your employment rights If your firm has just closed suddenly, you may be worried about: getting paid for the weeks you have already worked; paid for … [Read more...]
Maxed out credit cards & only able to pay the minimum
"I have three credit cards, all maxed out. I am only paying the minimum amounts each month as I can't afford more. What are my options as this will take forever and cost a lot in interest?" A lot of people are in this situation with cost of living price rises leaving you with no spare money to make overpayments. Especially if a 0% balance transfer has ended and you can't get another … [Read more...]
SafetyNet Credit goes into administration
UPDATE - in March 2024 the administrators announced they are no longer collecting any payments for the remaining loan balances. Also any more affordability complaints must made in the next few weeks. See SafetyNet & Tappily loans are written off for details. Indigo Michael Limited (IML) went into administration on 9 January 2023. It had two lending brands - SafetyNet Credit … [Read more...]
Is Santander routinely rejecting overdraft complaints?
A reader used my overdraft affordability complaint template letter to ask Santander for a refund: Santander are refunding 5, nearly 6, years worth of fees and interest and 8%. It's over £3.5k... amazing! This pays off my overdraft completely with spare and the overdraft will be removed. That was a "full refund" - the maximum she could have got from the Financial Ombudsman (FOS). She was very … [Read more...]
What happens at the end of your IVA? How long until it’s all finished?
If you are in the last few months of your IVA, you will be looking forward to making that last payment. It may feel a lot like getting to the finishing line of a marathon - and you may not be running so much as staggering over it. But when should you cancel your standing order? How long does it take to get your completion certificate? And when exactly are your debts written off, and how long … [Read more...]
Improving your credit score after an IVA
An IVA wrecks your credit record for at least six years. It can be longer than six years if your IVA doesn't complete within the 6 years, perhaps because you have had payment breaks. After your IVA finishes, in theory you don't need to do anything and all the problems will disappear from your record after the six year point... But it is important to check your IVA firm has closed down your … [Read more...]
What to do if Full & Final settlement offer is rejected?
A reader asked what she should do as her reasonable Full & Final settlement offer had been rejected. It's going to seem obvious, but the creditor rejected the offer because it didn't seem reasonable to them. You may think "I paid off the amount I borrowed ages ago, their interest is too high" or "They probably bought this debt for pennies, so they should be happy to accept 20%" but … [Read more...]
Disability benefits – do you have to use them to pay your debts?
Disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Attendance Allowance (AA) are meant to cover the extra expenses you have because of the disability. So do you have to use this money to repay debts? To someone who isn't disabled, your benefits may look high - but you have a lot of costs other people don't have. In 2022 this is a real … [Read more...]
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