www.iva.co.uk

I had an email congratulating me on completing my iva from the ip jan 13. I have recently started receiving letters from debt collectors asking for money for some of these debts. My credit history on experian is excellent. I have recently bought a house and had a baby. I am very unnerved by these letters, could I loose my house. I rang the ip and they said they no longer work for me. Should I ignore these letters or send them a copy of my email. I don't know what to do, can you please advice me.

Surely they cannot come after you once the IVA is completed?

As far as I was aware, an IVA is legally binding and your previous creditors cannot chase you for payment.

Debt collectors work on behalf of a company that previously would have owned your debt. You do not owe them any money IMO.

Send a copy of the completion statement to the debt collectors and they can sort it out with your IP and the original creditors. You are safe and your IP cannot just wash their hands of you.

An email is all I have. People have since said that I should have had a certificate or something. I was so happy to have completed it I didn't question it. Will a copy of this suffice do you think ?

Who was your IVA with ?

Are you still on the Insolvency Register ?

Yes, you should have had a completion certificate -- basically a letter saying that you have completed your responsibilities and that the IP no longer has any interest.

Harrington Brooke's !

I just checked the register and I don't appear to be on there, is that good or bad ?

Good -- it means a certificate must have been sent to them. Although HB no longer act they should still be willing to field these calls and, at the very least, provide you with a hard copy of your completion certificate.

I have just received yet another letter from 1st credit saying they may search my credit file if I do not engage with them. What should I do, please help ?

Play them at their own game. Reply to the letter enclosing a copy of your CC. Insist that this is the last time you will enter into direct contact with them and have been advised by a solicitor, that will be acting on your behalf, that any further threats or litigious correspondence will be addressed with the intent of claiming compensation from 1st credit for undue stress and uncompromising efforts to resolve this matter. send the letter recorded and addressed to Leith Robertson
Executive Chairman.

Hi Michelle!

Don't panic, you won't lose your house. I bet this is all just a big mistake.

Debt collectors rely on fear and people's lack of knowledge. But really they have no more legal powers than a clown who does kids parties.

I don't mean to sound flippant but it's true.

They cannot arrest you, or send the police. They cannot take your home or your possessions. Nor can they harass you. They can't do much except try to look powerful and scary and hope you fall for it.

You said they may search your credit file if you don't engage with them.

Does that sound scary to you? They are hoping it does [:D]

Companies do credit file searches all the time for utility supply, insurance quotes, mobile phones etc... It's not something to fear. It's just a tool they use to confirm identity.

Communicate with them only in good old fashioned paper letters. That way you have time to consider your responses.

How many debts and how many different debt collectors are involved?

And are you absolutely 100% sure these debts were in your IVA?

Listen to what Merlin has said as this is good advice. Unnecessary searches can damage your credit file so you would want this avoided.

At this point the critical thing is to get them off your back - if these debts were in your IVA then what they are doing is fundamentally illegal and they are in the wrong.

If they are also ringing your mobile most new phones have a block number feature - use it.

Also, if they do the common thing of "For Data Protection can you confirm your name, address etc." and they have rung you and you have not previously dealt with them they are blagging i.e. getting you to confirm information that they can use against you just end the call.

This is going from bad to worse. I decided to contact HB to ask for help and a copy of my certificate. they have just replied saying my iva failed due to arrears and the congratulations completion email must have been sent in error !!!! Therefore crediors are within their rights to chase me for the debt. They made no attempt to contact me at all. Why would I pay for 5 years then just default. I have repaired my credit file, bought a house and had a baby. I'm going to loose my house and probably my partner. How can they just default me without me knowing. I am beside myself, please advice me.