Don't know what to do.

[Freckles]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Honestly guys its been emotional finding this site. I never expected this level of support. I will now do a copy of the letter Elsa posted(HUGE THANK YOU)add my details and send it to Wescott.

Diddy Dee im glad you cleared up the confusion over whether I should pay the £1 again.

SXGuy They state that Lloyds have found the CCA and to send a £1 for a copy.I think Elsa's letter covers what I need to say.

Priority One Yes I believe they are playing silly buggers too.

The Tech Clerk I'm really interested as to how they will respond too and will keep everyone updated with this case.

When I received those 2 letters the other day I was un-nerved for the first time.Finding you lot and all the fab advice you have given has restored my confidence to deal with this again.Thanks to everyone for giving back my confidence.

[Spud]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Hi Freckles

Get used to the support ......... It never stops - Thats it ..... Your stuck with it now

Some spot on advice from the posters above - Not a lot to add

All I will say is have faith in the advice - Dont stress ( Easier said I know) and wait for the replies ... Play the long game and I'm sure it will pay dividens

[Freckles]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Thank you Spud.TBH I don't normally allow this kind of thing to bother me.I just got a little rattled is all.Ive been with Lloyds for about 20 years and they have been nothing but unhelpful ever since I got into difficulty.

As soon as this is sorted im changing my bank.In the last year I have tried to limit the amount of business I do on my account but sadly most companies insist on direct debit payments.

I hope you all have a good weekend because you bloody deserve it.

[Spud]

Re: Don't know what to do.

I used to be with Lloyds - For years - Again over 20 years

They offered me loads of products, Nothing was too much trouble, First name terms with the bank manager - He even gave me his personal home and mobile number. Paid and repaid loans ect all the time

Then I got into difficulty and guess what........Would'nt even give me a chance to get things right - Slapped on the fees and played silly buggers

Withdrew my sizeable overdraft with 2 days notice!!!

Needless to say - I'm not with them now......Got a good account that still allows DD ect but non of the bother

Do you bank with Lloyds - If so you need to ideally change banks asap as they have the right to offset which means they can rob your current account to pay another account ect - They do it first then tell you after - Please be careful of this - Especially with Lloyds

Mabee look at getting another account opened and change over on the quiet. It seems a lot of work but in reality within the hour you could have an account open and within a few days - Be fully moved over including DD's ect

( Obviously research banks first - Dont just do it this minute !!!)

There is loads of great advice on this site - Practical advise that will see you through the minefield in front of you

[Still Waving]

Re: Don't know what to do.

I second what Spud says, don't wait for this to be sorted out before changing banks. Consider the alternatives now and decide which best suits you, but I would make sure the bank is not part of the Lloyds Banking group (ie not Bank of Scotland or Halifax).

[Freckles]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Hi Spud and NotDrowningButWaving I know your right about changing banks now I've been dragging my feet.

My trouble with Lloyds really started in 2011.I had sold my flat and had hoped to move my mortgage of £17,000. with me to my new home.Lloyds were having none of it and insisted I pay up in full from the sale of my flat.I tried everything to persuade them but I was ignored.So I paid up in full and had very little to play with once I had moved.

Moving from London to a tiny little village in the middle of Norfolk was a culture shock.What was even harder was trying to get a job with reasonable pay,reasonable hours and not too far from home.

I have now gone back to training in IT to improve my chances of getting a job.I have started my first ever vegetable patch and recycle everything.

I really hope my luck changes in the employment department and I get a job that is not minimum wage which trust me is hard to find around here.

[Spud]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Now that I know you are a veggie grower I'll have to stay and answer your post !!

Your doing what you can on the job front - Keep at it. In my experience it is the people who have tried and put in the effort that eventually get to where they want to be. That extra effort will shine through to the right employer one day and pay off.

Ok regarding the other accounts - If this debt is something you can sort out fairly quickly - Say a year then there may be other options

If it is a large debt or you are just unable through circumstances to get it paid off over the short term - Then moving bank accounts is a must really.

Now I know this is hard but roughly what sum are we talking about here? Dont be embarrassed, We have all been at this point - See my UE Diary and you will see several 0000's

There is no judgement here, Only support for fellow people who are going through the same

You have done the hard part by signing up ect

Untill we know the circumstances, The assistance we can give is limited really

Just trying to determine whether UE is going to be worth your while and whether moving banks is a must or probably get away with situation

[Freckles]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Hi Spud my debt is £4,935.92.As for taking money from other accounts there isn't any.I have not been this skint since 1990 when I had my first son.Its taken time to adjust to my whole new no money life here but I would not swap it to go back to a very comfortable life in London.

Talking about veg I have finally got enough net to surround my patch to stop my dogs destroying it.The moles are a whole different story.

[Spud]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Ok

I know this is based upon very brief details but obviously you are going to struggle to get this paid off within a small time frame

I know you say there is no money in the accounts but you obviously have some income paid into this account on a fairly regular basis

Banks dont really care that they are taking the money you are going to buy your food with ect - Your just a number who owes a certain number

They could obviously take some of that money without asking you which would obviously leave you up the creek without a paddle There are some counter arguments but they take first and worry about that later - Obviously we need to remove this possibility so that you are in the driving seat and you call the shots not them

You obviously acknowledge that moving bank accounts would be a prudent move and I think most people on here would agree that you should do this sooner rather than later

So this weekend if you can spare the time, Why not look at other banks and the accounts they offer for your current account ect

If your credit history is a bit "Tatty" then you could look at some of the basic bank accounts that are on offer where there is an ID check but not a credit check. The Co-op do an account called the cashminder that seems very popular ect - Has internet banking and all the usual DD's for your bills

You need to ensure that the chosen bank does'nt have links with Lloyds Tsb or anybody else you may owe money to.

Then if you found an account you liked the look of - Mabee you could make enquiries Monday/Tuesday ( Some like the Cashminder can be opened over the phone there and then - They even give you the account number whilst you wait)

Daft as it sounds - By the end of the week all your Bills DD's could be transferred over ( Sounds a lot of work but its just a few phone calls) and you will be in the driving seat

Then you would be free to look at the UE route ( Should have a fair chance with that) or just continue how you are ect with no risk to your survival/Food/Bills money

UE is one thing but getting yourself in a stable position, Especially with children ect is your first priority.

The UE route isnt for everyone - I guess it just depends upon your situation which we can examine/Advise another time once you are stable moneywise

P.S.

Regarding the moles - Ideally you need a mole trap but it has been said that those little childrens windmills poked into the ground help with the little buggers - Im not sure they would work but it looks pretty!!!!

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Spud - thanks and well done for taking the time to reply with so much info and help.

Brilliant - just what we look for here

[Freckles]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Thanks Spud.As for any other debts I have none and besides the old mortgage I've never owed money to anyone.I will start to look into changing banks tomorrow and research it well.I'm off to bed now as ive got an early start in the morning.Thanks again for giving me helpful advice.

[Spud]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Your welcome - look forward to following your post in the future

Any questions - Just ask and someone is always around to offer advice ect

[ken100464]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Mothballs and moles do not mix so it is said. Just pop a few down the mole hills as the appear and you should get rid of them.

[Pixie]

Re: Don't know what to do.

If you're on benefits then the bank "shouldn't" use right of offset but I would play safe and change banks. I have a Co-op cashminder which I'm very happy with (can't use the card to pay for petrol at the pump in Morrisons but can at Asda)

[Freckles]

Re: Don't know what to do.

Hi Everyone just wanted to give you an update on a personal matter.
Ive got a job.Its not ideal as its rubbish hours rubbish pay working weekends and all for a pitence.Its a job so I will count my blessings and stop moaning.

Now an update about my current proplem.I sent back the letter to Wescot as suggested and yesterday I got a reply from Lloyds telling me how sorry they are that I felt the need to complain and they will do everything in their power to resolve my problem.Im can't understand why they want to help now.

Today I recieved my reply from Wescot.Basically they say thank you for my last letter and the matter is being looked into.This may take some weeks so they would appreciate my patience.Should I have any quieries don't hesitate to call and ask.

I don't understand according to them Lloyds had found the CCA so what's the delay in sending it to me?.

As always any advice welcome and a huge thank you in advance.