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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.

Will you get a Bankruptcy Restriction Order (BRO)? Does it matter?

Here are some recent questions from people worried about going bankrupt and possible Bankruptcy Restriction Orders (BROs): I gambled a lot but stopped over a year ago. I want to apply for bankruptcy, but will I get a bankruptcy restrictions order? I have credit card debts which I can't pay as I have had to stop work because of a disability. I went bankrupt in 2008 and had a DRO in 2018. Will I … [Read more...]

June 11, 2025 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, Bankruptcy

Can I get a debt consolidation loan with a bad credit score?

A reader asked: Are there debt consolidation options for really bad credit? I have over £20,000 in debt and I'm not sure how to start getting out of it with a suitable loan or a credit card. A credit card won't work There are some  "bad credit rating"0% balance transfer offers at the moment, but they are only for 6 months. And it's likely you will only get a very small credit limit. After … [Read more...]

May 24, 2025 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks

“My DMP payment is too high”

A reader asked if it is OK to reduce your debt management payments when you need to? 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 if you can no longer afford that monthly … [Read more...]

March 8, 2025 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, DMP

Should I stop debt payments before my DMP starts?

A reader asked: My StepChange DMP will start in 2 months time, in October. Do I have to make the payments to my creditors in September? Because it's going to be a real struggle. Could I offer them less? I asked what her StepChange monthly payment will be, It's going to be about £250. She said: I need to admit that this feels life-changing. Why did I not do this last year? I can’t believe I … [Read more...]

February 23, 2025 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, DMP

DMP FAQs – if you are worried about a DMP, read this

A reader said she was scared about starting a Debt Management Plan (DMP). She was worried her creditors might not freeze interest or could 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 questions I get asked about DMPs. Setting up a DMP Will I get lots of phone calls from creditors? You … [Read more...]

January 7, 2025 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, DMP

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...]

July 31, 2024 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks

“When can I offer £1 to a debt?” – FAQs about token payments

A one pound coin

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...]

March 5, 2024 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, payment arrangement

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...]

April 6, 2023 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks

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...]

February 7, 2023 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, credit cards

“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...]

February 2, 2023 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, credit cards

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