Look through any statements about your accounts, such as credit cards or catalogues Check letters about your energy bills and council tax Not sure who you owe money to and how much? Check your credit file with one of the three UK credit reference agencies. Read our guide to finding out who you owe money to..
No, not at this stage. We may do if we set up a debt solution for you. Please try to be as accurate as possible. Look at recent payslips and letters about your benefits. This will help make sure we are giving you the best advice for your circumstances.
We will go through this with you during your advice session. And we will help you calculate your budget on a monthly basis. You can prepare for this by using our online budgeting guides. You might find it helps to watch our video guide.
You would have had an email from us when you created your account. You can check: If you used a different email than usual Your junk mail. It doesn't happen a lot, but the email from us could be in there If you still cannot find it, go here recover your password.
No, please don't worry. Our advice is free, confidential and impartial. This means nobody needs to know we are helping you. We will only tell people if you need or want us to. If you have any joint debts, it is a good idea to talk to the other person named on the agreements.
There is no impact on your credit file from coming to us for help. If you go ahead with a debt solution later on that might change. But we will explain this to you. Your credit file will be affected by: Making reduced payments to your debts Going through a process to write of some or all of the money you owe Find more about how debt can affect a credit file.
There are different ways to deal with debts. We base our advice on your personal circumstances. If it seems you will not be able to pay off your debts within a reasonable amount of time, we may recommend a legal process to write off some of, or all of your debt. If you are able to pay what you owe, at a rate you can afford, we will recommend a payment plan We will go through these options when we complete your advice session.
It is normal for them to contact you to ask for money. If they know you are taking steps to deal with your debt, they will often give you some time to do that. You can get in touch with them to let them know you have come to us for help, and also when you are setting up a solution. If you share your client reference number this proves we are helping you. Not sure what you client reference number is? This will be on the email we sent you about your online account. Or you can log back into your account. You will see you client reference number on the first screen after you log in. Also, if you can apply for Breathing Space, you could get up to 60 days to deal with your debts. The people you owe money to are not allowed to chase you during this time. We will tell you how to apply, if you can, during your advice session. Online and over the phone. Find out more about Breathing Space.
Your creditor will have asked you to get help repaying what you owe them. They will expect us to advise you, and you to use our recommendations to get your finances back on track. You can tell them we are helping you. Share your client reference number with them. We work with a lot of lenders and they understand how we work. Most will give you some time to sort out your finances if they know we are helping you. Lost your client reference number? Check the emails we have sent you confirming your account. Log back into your account. Your client reference number will be shown on the first screen after you log in.