Help / Advice Needed

[adam090376]

Hi All
Need some help and advice on this problem. I am currently in an IVA but owe money to mobile phone companies.
I have phoned the companies in question and asked about a payment plan and they were quite aggressive with their response. I told them what I was offering and when I could start paying but there resonse was to give me a stupid time frame to get a payment to them which I can not afford. I agrued and explained my situation with them over and over about being in an IVA but were really unhelpful. I ended the conversation by saying I would put my offers in writng to them and await their reply. If they decide to take me to court what will happen?? I am making them a offer I can afford and that is the most I can strech to as we all know any surplus is paid into the IVA. I am just looking for some advice and re-assurance that I am doing all I can and what do I have to do if they take it further?
Any advice would be great.
Adam

[scaredkez]

adam was this money owed after the iva was proposed?

if it wasn't i was just wondering why you had not put it forward in your iva application.
kerri

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

[ray_a]

Hi Adam

Yes you are going about things the right way and if they wish to be difficult over the phone then in a way it is their problem.

Personally I do not like contract arrangements as use pay as you go as I feel I have control over my mobile phone.

You might be able to keep your number if you elect to do this!

[adam090376]

Hi Scaredkez / Ray
The phone debt was post IVA so couldent be included.
I have switched to a pay as you go mobile now but I have to pay them the arrears and costs to terminate the contract. What I really want to know is what will happen if they dont accept my offer of re-payment? Will I get loads of extra charges to cover legal/court costs. If they issue a CCJ Etc what will happen? Will a CCJ stop me getting a mortgage later on if/when I finish my IVA? Will people come knocking on my door? Any ideas/advice
Adam

[ray_a]

Hi Adam

Thanks for giving us more info!

I think if you can pay off the arrears over a period of time that will be acceptable.

I know this advice is not totally correct but is of a practical nature. It will take a few weeks for the mobile phone to start legal action. Generally everyone wants their money and if you can arrange a sensible plan which you have done by writing then they will have to come back to you and give you more time.

Basically, I am saying there are times when one has to play the system and this is one of those times.
The trick is to stop them taking legal action against you!
If you can tell us how much you owe them then this will help.

[Adam Davies]

Hi
If they will not agree a payment plan just start paying,as per your plan,today.I,m sure that if they can see money coming off the debt on a regular basis then they will not commence legal proceedings.
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

[sonyse2t5]

Adam,

How much is phone bill debt?
The phone debt is a prority debt a bit like Gas and Electric and council tax....and even if you say you are in an IVA it cannot cover them.

I don't mean to sound a puritan but your IVA plan should have cover the expenses but I know it is easy to say than do.

Be very careful as they can take action against you and you will have no protection as it is a prority debt compared with non-prority debt like unsecured credit.
Before I did an IVA, CCC told me to separate DMP covered and none DMP debts - phonebills been one and make sure they are covered separately.

[Skippy]

Is a mobile phone debt really a priority debt? Also, if the debt was incurred after the IVA was agreed it cannot be included - it's very easy to say that the IVA should cover all expenses, but how many people on here (myself included) have agreed to unrealistic repayments just to get an IVA approved?

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[adam090376]

Thanks Andy / Sonyse2t5
Can I just confirm that it is a mobile telephone bill and not a landline, Does this make a difference as to it being a priority debt? The debt is for two phones one mine and the other my girlfriends and is is about £300 in total. I am really worried now as to what they can/will do? I am offering them £40 a month for both bills but may be able to offer a bit more. Looks like sleepless nights for me till i get this sorted.
Adam

[ray_a]

Hi Adam

I would have thought that is a reasonable offer.

Without being judgemental why are you paying your girl friends? Surely she could help you out?

[adam090376]

Hi Ray
Your not being judgemental, I am not paying my girlfriends as well but as we both have outstanding phone bills it was easier to ask one question for both, She will hopefully be paying hers off at the same rate as well so the £300 we owe together will be paid off. Thanks for the advice would still like to know if mobile phone bills are a priority debt?
Adam

[Adam Davies]

Hi
They are not a priority debt.
The people that you speak to regarding a payment arangement will probably not be the same people who decide on legal action.
Just start paying the £40 as soon as you can
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

[adam090376]

Hi All
Thank you for your advice on this matter. I will do as Andy says and start paying them a set amount every month and see what happens. I am doing all I can so what will be will be.
Thanks again.
Regards
Adam