Thanks for your input guys - I was aware that GP and fj are part of the same company and I was expressly told that this payment would constitute my first IVA payment and was not any sort of referral/introduction fee

Thanks for your posts. Lisa - you could well be right - my original enquiries were with Gregory Pennington and then passed to Freeman JONES when IVA agreed. Wouldn't know where to start with the bank - it was an account with Lloyds TSB who have since split.

My IVA was agreed on 27 06 11 with Freeman Jones. Prior to the creditors meeting I had to pay one payment upfront (£495) on the understanding that if the IVA was agreed it would constitute the first payment and, if it wasn't, it would be returned. My payments proper then began in July. So, by my ca...