Hi All

I hope someone is able to help with my problem. I recently moved into a New House (rent to buy) with my Family and we started to receive two sets of letters from Wescot Collection Services, asking for £6000 & £3000 (there systems must not have realised that the two accounts are for the same address, as the different letters come on different days and neither mentions the other?).

Back when I was younger I wasn't too bright with money. My Mother was exactly the same, and I was brought up being taught to always pay with credit, and worry about paying later! I got in over my head and it was way, way too much for me too handle. Letters and telephone calls daily, at home and at work!! An accidental opportunity arose, when I moved house (rented) to be closer to Work. The letters, phone calls etc stopped intermediately because I moved. I know I should have probably used this time to resolve my problems but I fell for the 'out of sight out of mind' scenario. I then moved house another 3 or 4 times again with work, and in all honesty forgot about what I left behind, well up until the letters started to arrive anyway!! Plus I have lived the last 4-5 years with no credit what so ever, only car payments

The letters basically say that the debt is unpaid and needs paying immediately, or call them to arrange monthly payments, the last set now say that I have been passed over to BAILIFFS who will be in touch shortly. Which is relay starting to worry me.

This debt must be from around 4-5 years now and I have heard from these forums that I might not have to pay after a certain period of time, but how can I find this out without acknowledging the debt?

We are now in a rent to buy agreement, which is where you still pay rent for a property which is basically yours. You get £5000 when you purchase the property to use for some of the deposit and you save for the rest. It most be bought within 3 years, or it can get a bit financially complicated, and expensive. So If we don't save the house could be at risk, would the debt company understand this??

I do want to be rid of the debt, but would prefer to pay small amounts if at all.

If I speak to them at all, am I acknowledging the debt? If I ask for proof first, am I acknowledging the debt?

If I have to acknowledge the debt can I negotiate a reduced settlement and then still pay by monthly payments?

Do I have to show them bank statements , or can I just tell them what my finances are?

Do I have to show my partners finances, as she was not part of the debt in the first place?

We have two cars, which we both need (on Finance), could we loose these?
If the debt company offer me repayments do I have to accept?

Is it better to deal with this situation on my own, or seek help?

What if I agree to pay but then more bills chase me? This may be a possibility

As you can see there is allot running around my mind. I would really appreciate any advice that anyone could offer.

Kind Regards

Debt-Stress

Hi, try and stop stressing and contact the Consumer Credit Counselling Service. The are 100% free to use and they will take all your debt details and put together a debt action plan which includes an income and expenditure sheet and an offer to pay letter - all of which you would them send on the Wescott. Believe it not, the C.C.C.S might state that you can only pay £1 a month towards your debt. They will also freeze the interest on your debts. Sounds unreal but they are there to help YOU!

Consumer Credit Counselling Service | debt help and debt advice from the UK's leading debt charity

Please contact them, it is one phone call and it will change everything + and its all free, even the phone call. Let me know how you get on.

Thank you for your reply. I will do that, and I will post here how I get on.

Thank You again for your help.

Debt-Stress

Don't stress! there is help available where you would be able to speak to an advisor where they would be able to advise you on what you could do next - definitely worth speaking to one as they will be honest with you and the situation that your in.

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