Advice on what to say

[Shining]

Had a chat with my IP today and all went well re income and expenditure, felt so much better after and was told to 'stop beating myself up' I'm doing my best to resolve the situation. Advised on what to say when the calls start, I'll bet I hadn't put the phone down 3 mins when a creditor rang! My first phone call. They listened well, I had a script in my head and stuck to it, even when she said 'so how much can you afford each month?' I repeated myself. The one question that threw me was..............

Tell me how your debt problems have started, I need to make a few notes? Was I supposed to tell them? I said my IP has all my details and knows my situation well, there is a letter on its way to you and I am working to resolve the situation a.s.a.p.

I am writing a little script out with IP's contact details on etc., to leave by the bedside table and then when they ring even if I'm downstairs, I will say I just need to go somewhere private to talk to you and have all the details to hand.

[Adam Davies]

Hi
Well done
Do not give details of how you got into debt etc just refer them to your IP.As time goes on it will get easier,just stick to your guns and pay nothing until your IVA is approved.
Regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp

[MelanieGiles]

There is no real problem in giving your creditors a summary of why you have ended up in debt - if I were a creditor I would want to know that information, but just make sure that you are not repeating the same information to robots in call centres six times per day!

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

To have me propose an IVA for you, please visit:
http://www.melaniegiles.com/ivaEnquiry.asp

See customer feedback at:
http://www.iva.com/iva_companies/IVA_Advice_Bureau.asp

[kandh]

You are doing the right thing isthereanend! Just keep doing what your IP suggests. Eventually it may feel as if your script is becoming second nature but just hang in there, as hopefully there is an end!! [;)]

xx

[Soulgrowth]

Sorry to be negative isthereanend ... but you are doing right and acting within the law and so, I would avoid even speaking to your creditors, your IVA proposal will clearly lay out for them how you got into debt and from my experience it is a waste of time trying to explain as they don't want to listen, mainly don't understand and just want to harass you.

When I was going through with my IVA I followed my IP's advice once and it caused so much distress that from then on in i decided that life was too short and I would divert all my calls to caller display and not answer them [:(] There are more important things to do in life.

Keep up the good work

Debbie

www.familyceremonies.co.uk

www.soulgrowth.co.uk

[emma_t]

Hi isthereanend
It can be daunting getting creditors phone calls, especially when you cant pay them anything. You need to be strong and perservere on the advice your IP has given you.
i have found on the whole they are pleasant - hsbc, capital one have been really good. Barclaycard were so rude and threatening, I have told them i will only deal with them in writing and not to call as the person was beyond rude and very frightening. Moran Stanley are another pain, they are pleasant when they call but call ALL the time. I spoke with them yesterday and informed them of the date for my creditors meeting and lady said fine we will call again in a week, today 7.45am on the phone again. They explained that it is an automated system so sometimes slow to update.....
Keep strong and be nice as generally they respond to this, and after all they are only doing their job...

[Shining]

phone calls at 7.45am! is there a legal time they can and cannot call? i.e latest and earliest and can they call 7 days a week? just wondering, written a script with all details on. I've also added a log on the bottom to record the number and company calling, time and date, so if they call more often than once a week for an update I will know and say my information is the same as last week. I will always maintain politeness as at the end of the day they are doing their job.

[emma_t]

Sorry did not mean to worry yo!!! I was shocked that they rang so early... I have had calls on Saturdays and Sundays - so 7 days a week for me...
I think it depends who your creditors are, some of them are fine with a weekly phone call and stick to that. Others just seem to hav an automated automatic dil up system where it keeps calling you.
When I knew I would be trying for an iva, I changed my home number to my works home line which has got my fax plugged into this. So i can't be bothered at home at least. They also have my works mobile, have tried to change this to an old payg mobile I have but they keep using m work's one. I can't switch this off for obvious reasons, but cannot always answer it as busy in calls for work. They never leave any messages.
I think you just have to be prepared, stick to your script and keep them updated.
Good luck x

[scaredkez]

i had calls 7 days a week also, they did start at 8 am and ended around 9pm, it is very hard, best of luck.
kerri

Please view my blog at: http://scaredkez.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[lily]

I did a script for my creditors on the phone but it really didnt stop them calling, my problem was knowing how to deal with it when I had visitors. In the end I wrote to them all saying I wasnt prepared to discuss the problem verbally. I included scant details of the main reason why I had stopped making payments but promised to reply to each letter and I did. I used to get one liners saying please call this number immediately to stop any further action, I just replied by letter stating that I wasnt prepared to enter into a verbal telephone conversation.

They got nicer after that saying they wanted to sort something out with me and could I call, I didnt. I changed my mobile and landline number, I found it sooooo much easier to cope.

lily

[Adam Davies]

Hi
The danger with explaining your reasons to a call centre employee is that they will make a note of it on the screen and there is a possibility that it may well contradict the reasons that your IP will send with the IVA proposal.
I really wouldn't get involved with this conversation.
Regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp

[Shining]

Thanks again for all good advice and and have taken all advice given on board. I will answer their questions twice (that way it should be over pretty quick!), I have sent a background statement to my IP so they know why and I will refer them to my/our IP at all times. After explaining twice to each creditor in respect of my current situation. I will communicate via letter or not at all, their choice, as my IP said yesterday I am doing nothing wrong and I am trying my best to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Most of the staff will be call centre staff so like you say most of it will be just repeated information for them to type into notes. I am so glad I found this forum and fingers crossed my IVA is accepted and I'm sure you'll be seeing me around for a few years to come!