Challenging pre-made agreements?

Hi guys,

Been trying to have a look around the site to gain knowledge and have downloaded the e-book to have a look at in my "spare time" (I have a nearly 2 year old and am going through a separation from my husband at the moment).

I'm in the middle of the 3 letters process with Wescott and Moorcroft at the moment who are acting for some natwest debts. I'm trialling how I go with these two really because I have a number of other debts with other people that I want to challenge as well (2 credit cards, 1 acting DCA, 1 bought debt, 1 water and 2 other accounts with DCA - not sure if they are bought or acting yet).

I set up reduced payments with these a few years ago when I had to resign from work due to a long term health condition. I wasn't awake or aware of GOODF then. Ordinarily I would be sending them all new financial information based on my recent change of circumstances (separation and benefits now lower) and offering them all £1 a month but now I'm toying with the idea of skipping that and going down the 3 letters route.

Can you just stop repaying them and start the 3 letters process? Should I get the payment reduced to £1 a month and then do it? I wouldn't be paying though if I'm challenging the debt, would I?

I freak myself out everytime I look at the posts on here: they will chase me for years, I will have to go to court, baliffs and debt collectors at my door. It's a scary thing. I can't even send one of the letters without feeling like a piece of you know what!

I know that DCA will try all sorts: in their last letters to me they even offered me a reduction in the total debt, so I know they make it up as they go along... I'm scared because i'm on my own and i've got a lot on. It seems like this is a lengthy and confusing procedure, especially when they reply and I don't have a clue what they're on about.

Do you think I should just go for it with the 3 letters process or have I already admitted that I owe the debt because I've made an agreement with them in the past?

Thank you to everyone for this site and sorry for another long, worry filled rant!

Merry Christmas

Yes you did agree to pay them by setting up an agreement, but like most things in life they only tell you what they want you to know and in many cases you are tricked into an unfair contractual agreement with them and of course there is the other half of the equation, your other half.

In most cases your partner is actually liable for half of any debt in many cases and this needn't be overlooked.

It may be prudent to break this down to individual debts so individual members can assist you with them with practical advice and actual realities of what to expect, there is no magic bullet and it can be time consuming which is why you need to break it down, and individual members can advise you accordingly.