I haven't heard of this happening before. It is awful for you as £75 is a huge amount of money while struggling to manage your debts. It seems a bit topsy-turvey, but have you actually signed up to the DMP?
It may be that the DMP was scheduled to start this month (with your consent as you signed the DD form, gave your card details or set up the SO) and they are willing to wait for their £500 fee.
The unauthorised drawing of money from a client's personal bank account is not acceptable - but how did they manage this in the first place. You must have signed some form of authorisation?
I don't like the use of direct debits - we don't use them in my firm and I find standing orders much more acceptable where clients control the flow of monies rather than the other way round.
Ours are standing orders as well, but I'm sure if dazzz contacts them via the link above then he can get it sorted out.
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
Ive been using bains & Earnst for over 2 years now and year upon year the amount owed has increased from 55k-56k-57k. Each time I ask for them to apply for IVA becuase we are being crippled increasingly...we get excuses why we fail (if they even tried at all). A frustrating side to this is me and my wife have 3 under 5 kids and work opposite shifts and find it so difficult trying to deal with financial matters. Ive now got 2 CCJ'S against the property because simply, we can not pay enough. Frustrating frustrating frustrating. We are in our mortganged house and all we get told is that if we go down any other path than Debt Management, we will proberbly lose the house. With 3 under 5's and 2 teens ....we dont want that happening.
An IVA seems an appropriate solution for you as your DMP clearly is not working. IVAs are designed to protect the home whereas this DMP has lead to secured charges against the equity which could lead to an order for sale.
You should seek some free advice from an insolvency firm and at least consider an IVA. Many firms will propose the IVA and go to creditors without asking for any money so if the IVA is rejected you can stay uninterrupted in your DMP. The IP firm carries the loss so will not propose something that they do not feel to be a viable and sustainable proposal.
I'm just coming away from B&E, after using them for a DMP. I found them dreadful. They wanted £270 to start work on my case, it was 3 months before the letters and stuff stopped. Since I've been with them my charges, etc. have escalated and I am now in a worse state than when I started. Just to make things worse, afew days ago I had a letter from them wanting another £40 to conduct an annual review on my plan. I have now switched to another company and I'm being propsed for an IVA. Other beefs about B&E is their phone service, they take up to 40 mins to answer a call, only to be on there 2 minutes. I never spoke the same person twice....and try and avoid their evolution account for banking, that is a stitch up and a half.
Michael, thanks for your advice, ive had bad experiences with some firms ive enquired to as they baffle me with legal and suchlike jargon, at the end of each conversation im not sure if they are saying things that are going to be a waste of time or not...you know...one bitten, twice shy. Thats how i ended up with bains in the 1st place.
Are there any reputable, trustworthy insolvancy firms that that you can recommend which would offer "free advice" and would maybe take on my case?
As with most people on here, time and money are both against me.
The professional experts who post on this forum are all highly recommended, and you can also have a look at www.iva.com for reviews of different companies.
Excellent advice from Skippy. The advice is free and impartial.
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
Ring any of the companies that post on this forum as we all give free advice. Nothing is a waste of time but at least if you speak to an insolvency firm you will be given proper advice as we are all very heavily regulated.
Speak to more than one if you are not happy with the first advice or even to just double check that what has been told is correct. At the end of the day you are the client and deserve a proper service.
