CAB Debt Adviser won't see me...

[Katharine Norton]

Hi all, I don't know if you remember my posting from January - I am the one out in Saudi in a mess and coming back at the end of the year to sort it all out. I'm back in April for a couple of weeks to get some pre-advice and asked my dad to book an appointment with the specialist debt advisor. CAB have said that only those on benefits can see that person, and that I should just go to my local CAB and queue to see someone else. I would be interested to hear what the CAB people on here have to say about that? Kate x

[jpj]

Im sure there are plenty of advisers on here who can give you just as much help and advice as CAB can anyway!

Ive never seen a question on here that has not been answered by at least a couple of experts.

Good luck back in the uk.

[carlmcmullen]

Sadly this is correct, CAB will only give appointments for people who fit a specific criteria (Low income and Benefits) however they would normally reccomend a debt company you could go and speak to.

I would suggest that you find a local IP firm and contact them, they will offer the same advice, if not better as you will be dealing with an IP directly and they will not charge (and if they do - go somewhere else as alot of compnies do not charge)

You can find an IP using the link below

http://www.insolvency-service.co.uk/newipsearch.htm

Although it is always better to speak to an IP face to face if you are finding it difficult to speak with one the intial contact can be done over the phone.

[Katharine Norton]

Thanks both, I am booked for a telephone interview with Melanie's team during my trip back - I trust them completely to give me sound advice on my options, but just wanted to be able to say to the OR that I had sought opinion from more than one source if that's the route I take when I get back in November. Kate x

[maxdebt]

Hello Kate. I initially went to CAB and, bless them, they looked in horror at my very considerable unsecured debts and said there was nothing they could do other than refer me on to financial advisors.
I initially went local and received some bad advice (in hindsight I guess they were a new company but it nearly cost me my home!) Choosing Melanie is a wise move I know you will receive the very best advice from her

[Katharine Norton]

Thanks maxdebt, my folks are still having long conversations into the night as to how I could have spent so much money, and my grandmother can't even fathom it being from the generation that if you haven't got it, you don't spend it! I can only say that I have learnt my lesson having had a terrible last 2 months thinking about it all. At least I can make a start in April on looking at my options. I would have gone crazy without you lot and this forum! Thank goodness my Saudi company didn't block this website - they block most of them... Kate x

[maxdebt]

Well done for telling them it took me 4 months to pluck up the courage to tell mine!My mum's response was typical ( she wanted to sell everything she had to help!) my dad responded like your grandmother and went into a kind of shock especially when I told him the amounts involved. But it's done now and thanks to Melanie and her team I will be debt free in 54 months [:)]

[jane.l]

Well, we got an appointment for the same day with the specialist debt advisor at our CAB and we were both working with high incomes but also huge debts!

I have not not heard of that criteria before, it was never mentioned, I thought everybody was entitled to their advice

[maxdebt]

Yes I too had no problems getting an appointment to see CAB and they knew I was in full employment. They quickly realised my problems were beyond them and referred me on