? on behalf of a friend who is a little naive. Only just discussed with me and I don't know the full story yet. She has an IVA of a few mths with Debt Clear .She appears to be paying a very high amount back on her income and also got in a mess with 2 mths payments
Integrity contacted her -cold calling - offering to help and do a better deal. Obviously attractive if they are offering to reduce her payments but she may pay more in the long term as they are not a charity and I cannot understand why they are prepared to do a 100mile trip and visit her at home.
She only told me the situation in passing today and I said that I would go and sit in with her tomorrow . I think that she should cancel the appt but advised her not to sign or do anything but just listen to what is said and perhaps ring two other companies on this forum who seem to have more integrity than this Integrity.
Advice please
Is she in an IVA or a DMP? If it is an IVA she cannot just swap company's. She would have to let her IVA fail first. I would be wary of having dealings with someone who cold calls.
The other thing that worries me with this, is that they might be advocating bankruptcy which they will 'assist' her with for a large fee.
I think that she should cancel it as well and have nothing to do with them.
If her payments are too high, she needs to speak to her IP and see about getting them lowered.
Is the firm she is with called Debt Clear or is it Cleardebt who post on here? I can't find anything to do with a company called Debt Clear.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I'm pretty sure that is what will probably happen. It's usually those sort of company's who cold call you.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Thanks for your replies. Confirms what I thought. Just found out she is with Debt Matters. I advised her to cancel but I sensed she was reluctant, prob wants a way out , and we've all been there. I shall still sit in with her and advise her to speak to other providers an the site
If she is struggling with the IVA she needs to speak to her IP to see if she can reduce the payments. A much better option than paying somebody to do something that you can do yourself for nothing.
IVA.co.uk The best place for debt advice. Thanks to Melanie Giles, David Mond, David and J (Elv5) Kallis, Dand, Skippy, Andy Davie
You need to make her aware that if it is assisted bankruptcy, it is likely to cost her the court fees plus anything from £500 upwards for this firm to do what she can do herself.
If she is struggling with the IVA, how on earth is she going to afford that sort of money?
I think it is a good idea if you sit with her - at least the representative will be able to see that he won't be able to get round her so easily.
What a good friend you are.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
This company will be trying to persuade your friend to petition for bankruptcy, on grounds that they payments she will make will probably be lower and over a shorter timescale than in the IVA. Only she can make the decision whether she feels this is a better option for her.
I think my previous post may be misleading. What I am trying to say that it is better to speak to your IP if the payments are a struggle before speaking to a third party.
IVA.co.uk The best place for debt advice. Thanks to Melanie Giles, David Mond, David and J (Elv5) Kallis, Dand, Skippy, Andy Davie
Get her to have a frank discussion with her IP or if she contacts me I am happy to give her the necessary advice (no charge) to try and rectify or come up with a possible solution.
By the way Intregrity are on my radar!!
Last edited by David Mond on Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Regards, David Mond, Insolvency Practitioner for over 46 years. Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year 2012, Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year finalist 2013 & 2014 awarded by Insolvency & Rescue Magazine and 2015 finalist for Personal Insolvency Firm of the Year.
Went around and man t/c that he was about an hour late due to traffic. By this time we had had a good chat. I certainly feel that her IP has not calculated her I&E correctly which has resulted in a large payment plan and I dont know how on earth she is managing on a low salary eg food ,clothes ,cleaning for a singleton £140 and I thought that it was about the £190 mark + clothes allowance. I got Melanie's number for her and am trying to get David Mond's but said she should Tc the man and cancel - be firm . He had toldher thathe wouldbe with her for about 3 hrs !!!! That's worse than double glazing. She did this and said she had been told that you couldn't change the IVA company and thought that he might be pressing her into Bankruptcy which she wanted to avoid He got very shirty with her
Companies like this have to unfortunately take the rough with the smooth, as they are marketing into a very sensitive area, and know that they are open to a lot of public criticism for their practices. I have actually met the guy who runs this firm, and was impressed by his sincerity and agreement to take my firm's name off his mailing list, but if your friend feels that she does not need his assistance then that is something that should be taken on the chin without being shirty.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
