A reader said she was scared about starting a Debt Management Plan (DMP). She was worried her creditors may not freeze interest and might take her to court. Another reader asked if he can get a new mortgage fix if he is in a DMP I thought it would be useful to look at the most common concerns people have about DMPs. Setting up a DMP Will I get lots of phone calls from creditors? You … [Read more...]
A reader asks ...
Readers have asked a huge variety of questions in the comments below Debt Camel articles or on Instagram. From credit ratings and mortgages to payday loan refunds and IVAs...
Some of them needed such long replies that I have turned them into the articles that are gathered here.
Does a Cifas “Victim” marker harm your credit score?
I was asked: Someone pretending to be me has tried to set up some finance. It all got stopped, no money lost and no real harm done. My concern is that the finance company is proposing to record this impersonation on Cifas, but won't if I ask them not to. The letter makes it sound like informing Cifas is a good thing, but I've googled it and have found nothing but horror stories about never … [Read more...]
“When can I offer £1 to a debt?” – FAQs about token payments
A reader asked if he should offer a £1 a month token payment to his debts, wondering if his creditors would ever accept it. The simple answer is that you should make token payment offers: TO non priority debts WHEN it is all you can afford. BUT if you don't expect your situation will improve soon, you may have better debt options. In 2024 millions of people can't afford the normal debt … [Read more...]
“Will settling defaults help me get car finance next year?”
A reader, Mr W, asked: I had credit cards and got myself in a mess when getting balance transfers but keeping the old cards. Then I lost my job two years ago, but I am now working again. I have defaults ranging from 2021 to last month ago. All my debts add up to about £6,500. One has offered me a discount if I clear the outstanding balance. Is a 20% discount on a £3,500 debt a good deal? I … [Read more...]
Pregnant and can’t afford your IVA?
Abby is pregnant and worried she won't be able to afford the monthly IVA payments: My IVA was set up at the start of 2022. There are four debts in it, totalling £13,000. All the debts date from a previous relationship, my new partner doesn't have a debt problem. My IVA payments are £110 a month. I've managed so far, but I now need to buy things for the baby - cot, buggy etc. We are renting and … [Read more...]
What happens after discharge from bankruptcy?
A reader asked: I went bankrupt in 2021 and was discharged a year later. I am not paying an IPA. My question is about savings. Can I save now without any risk of my savings being taken from me? Also my grandmother wants to give me a large sum of money but I’m not sure if it would be safe so the last thing I want is for her to lose money, so I’ve been reluctant to do it. This article looks in … [Read more...]
My son has been asked to pay a water bill that’s in my name
A reader asked: My son has just opened a letter from a debt collector in his name with my debt and information on it asking him to pay. It's for a water bill which I owe but the bill is in my name! Surely they can't do this? I asked for some background on this - how old is her son, is he still living at home, if not when did he leave? And what date does the water bill relate to? He is 24 and … [Read more...]
“My DMP payment is too high”
A reader asked if it is OK to reduce your debt management payments when you need to? In 2023, with prices still rising fast, this is a common problem in Debt Management Plans (DMPs). Sometimes your income falls. Often your essential expenses go up faster than your pay does. In debt management, you pay a set amount to the DMP company and they divide it between your creditors. So what happens … [Read more...]
Increasing the interest on a credit card – your rights
There are two situations a credit card can increase your interest rate: if the Bank of England base rate goes up and your credit card tracks that rate; or when your credit card decides to increase your interest rate. It is important you know which is happening when your interest rate rises, as in the second case you have the right to reject this change. This also applies to store … [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...]
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