I'm getting a bit frustrated with Debt Free Direct. I think I'm at the end of my IVA and despite calling and emailing, nobody can tell me the status of my case. I'm just being told it will get transferred to a Customer Solutions team who will respond in 14 days! The problem is that I'd assumed DFD would notice the end of my IVA and get in touch but it looks as though the customer has to prompt them into action when nearing the end of the IVA. Additionally, I pay £700 per month and have just been told today that if I make an overpayment "not to worry" - well that might be ok for them, but it isn't a small amount of money for me.
I just don't know what to do.
Sorry to hear that you are having such trouble with DFD at the moment. We do have a poster from there on here but I'm assuming he is busy as he's not been on here for a while.
I would ring up and insist on speaking to someone about this as you need to know what is going on. Don't be fobbed off with being told it's being transferred to some other department.
You need to know if you can cancel your payment.
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 know that they have very modern systems at DFD and I'm surprised that all this information isn't readily available. Hopefully this is just a very conservative estimate, and they'll sort you soon!
We are with DFD and waiting for closure action on case - we have been told that we should expect 12 weeks before we receive the cert of completion despite we paid our final payment in November.
Declan is still on the forum and does respond, however try emailing him direct - look on the experts page and email him,he will be able to at least get you an awareness of where you are in the closure process !
I would ring and confirm no more payments are due before stopping your standing order ....would hate to default now !
Well done for getting this far ...you are almost there !
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
There is a solution for everyone .... Just need to stay positive !
Hi neil
It is reasonable to expect that they should keep you updated on what is happening at this stage in an IVA as a matter of course. However, we are with also with DFD with 2 more payments to go and that has not been our experience either. I understand it does take a few weeks for the information to come through as the IP has to start signing everything off but I don’t understand why clients cannot be kept informed especially at such a vital stage. I know that trying to get through to Customer Services to speak to someone can be hugely frustrating and obtaining a response from the appropriate person even more so let alone speaking directly with an IP but do keep up with the emails and phone calls and you will get there. Also as Lulu suggests try Declan’s email direct, it might be the best approach. I have never done so my self but I have seen his posts on here and they always seem helpful.
Now at last after waiting the previous 4 weeks on a cliff edge we have finally received a telephone response confirming what we needed to know. I.e. we don’t have enough equity to remortgage (I wasn’t sure from the figures, so whew!). The adviser also provided all the information required including when we can cancel our standing order, which creditors still have to make a claim and so on. I am also informed that they will be allowed 6 months for this but will be chased up periodically if they don’t respond. I hope so as by my own reckoning that means it could be October before we get our certificate (I will try not to be too pessimistic!)
Good luck and I hope you receive a satisfactory response soon.
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
flow13 wrote:
Can I just add, I have been told that Near to the end of an IVA we are expected to have a FINAL review. I did post the question on here.
Just wondering Neil if you had received anything to have this done?
I'd be interested to know who told you this flow. I haven't heard about this myself, I always understood you would have a total of four annual reviews (start of y2, y3, y4 and y5 so that by the end of the fifth year you'd be good to go... DFD did come back to me last night with a short email confirming I've paid my 60 instalments and it's going to be sent to closures. Of course they didn't elaborate...
I suppose it depends on the IP - I've found DFD's annual reviews to be some time in the year, not necessarily twelve months following the last one.
I believe that a final review is standard - just to make sure that there are no windfalls or bonuses that need to be included.
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
flow13 wrote:
Can I just add, I have been told that Near to the end of an IVA we are expected to have a FINAL review. I did post the question on here.
Just wondering Neil if you had received anything to have this done?
Here is the link to the post.
Found this on DFD's website which ties in with my experience eg mine was agreed Feb 2006, so first review is Feb 07 through to Feb 10 (the dates are loosely adhered to IME)...importantly no review in 2011 but nothing to hide so if they want another lot of paperwork, no problemo...
I'm surprised as I know the vast majority of posters on here have to do a final review.
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
kallis3 wrote:
I'm surprised as I know the vast majority of posters on here have to do a final review.
Well, I'll be happy to share my experiences as I go down the closures road..make a note, date going to closures was yesterday 2/1/11 - will keep the forum updated as we go...
If you look at the Spring 2009 edition of "Freedom" - which I assume is sent to all DFD customers - you will see from the "Different Stages of Your IVA" section in the middle pages that number 17 (Month 60) makes it clear that there will be an annual review at that time. Am sure that you read this - maybe it slipped your mind. Anyway you will be aware that you must retain ALL documents relating to your IVA - go back to refresh your memory.
hi neil
Having seen your post, I have just had to have another look at the customer section on DFD'd website, glad i did and of course you are spot on; it states: 'We are required to review your circumstances on each anniversary of your IVA. For example, if your IVA was approved on 6 June 2007 we will perform an annual review on June 6, 2008 (and on June 6 in 2009, 2010, and 2011)'. So as with yours, our IVA was agreed in 2006, meaning our last review would have been the one carried out in 2010. This the latest information on their website so must assume is correct. We expecting to undergo another, review - but great if last year was the end of it. Now I think of it I am sure that way back Declan also confirmed this timeframe on a query about the final review with DFD.
How thoughtful of you to share your experiences, only 2 months behind you so hope to follow any updates you might post in the future.
