Debt advice needed please.

[KS1234]

I have a friend who has had a debt for a number of years. The original debt was secured on property which was repossessed some 9 years ago. They have been paying an agreed amount of £3 per month for a number of years to repay the debt of around 6k. Out of the blue the debt company now in charge of the debt are asking for around £150 pm which my friend cannot afford to pay and has realistically offered to increase payments to £5 pm. They are getting back to her tomorrow as they say this is unacceptable and have threatened court.

 

So I would like to know if anyone has any experiences and will they actually take her to court or is this just a threat to try and get more money.

 

Any advice appreciated so I can try and set her mind at rest.

 

Thanks:)

[fox20thc]

Tell your friend to call the national debtline on 0808 8084000 they are really helpful.

 

And if they want to take her to court tell her to let them, you cant get blood out of a stone and the judge will see that.

[never wrong]

just ignore it,s a ploy to try and get you to pay more if the agreed amount was £3 A MONTH just carry on paying it and reverse the situation and tell them if you hear any more from them you will stop paying the £3

[Shiesh]

If the debt was secured on the property and the said property was taken into possession some 9 years ago wasnt the debit paid off in full with the re-sale of the property????

 

Seems odd that it wouldn't have been ....unless the property was sold for less than the outstanding secured mortgage/loans but even so I thought these expired after 5 years anyway!!

 

All sounds very dodgy to me - I agree with fox20thc - she should speak to the National Debtline asap!

 

[DIVA]

citizens advice are good

[Heyesey]

I havne't paid jack squat to my creditors for almost six years. I still get letters warning me that they will take me to court if I don't start making some reasonable attempt at repayment; I ignore them, and they retaliate by sending another letter saying the same thing.

 

Stick to the £3 a month, it's all she can afford, if the company isn't happy with it, then stop paying it.

[Missdan]

I work for an advice service in Sheffield. As far as I know there is a cut off point as to how long you repay the debt for. The suggestion of ringing the national debt line is good, your local citizens advice bureau or Sheffield Debt Line can also help and all for free.

[Honkytonk]

Definitely ring Debtline. if they're engaged keep trying. if the phones are busy it's cos you're not the only one with debt problems! I would have also thought that if the house was repossessed the debt would have been written off. most of these debt collection agencies are run by thugs who can't make a living doing anything else. Debtline told me to ignore any letters as most credit companies get so many people saying they can't pay, they intimidate people in to paying up. if they know peple have taken legal advice and won't be bullied they tend to back off and pick on someone else. your friend is showing that he/she is responsible by continuing to pay the money every month, and the court will note that. I doubt the agency will want the hassle of taking someone to court anyway. ring Debtline!

[max]

Try contacting Debtline via their website if you can't get through on the 'phone: Debtline

[peterw]

I havne't paid jack squat to my creditors for almost six years. I still get letters warning me that they will take me to court if I don't start making some reasonable attempt at repayment; I ignore them, and they retaliate by sending another letter saying the same thing.

 

Not a very good financial risk then?