Recommended iva companies?

[owing30K]

Hi all, i'm a newbie and you can tell by my username what my problem is[:I]

We have been in touch with a company called Clearstart who have referred us to another company called McCambridgeDuffy as i i am self employed (although only a subcontractor). We don't have any creditors chasing us but we're getting to a stage where we're at the absolute limit and we don't want to lose our home, so we feel this is our only option as this really beginning to stress us both terribly.

We approached Clearstart around the first 2 weeks in December and they told us to take out what money we have in the bank(lloyds), just in case and to open a new cash card account with a different bank which we've struggled with tbh.

We don't have the best credit rating although not the worst as i seem to ba able to get it no problem. Nationwide wanted to do a credit ref search before they gave us an account [V] so we tried Barclays and they have offered my wife a cash account but i've not heard for me [:(] .

Anyway my question is, Has anyone had any dealings with this/these companies and what are your experiences?

Thanks in advance
Jay

[depressed]

HI I WAS GOING THROUGH CLEARSTART BUT HAVE BEEN PUT IN TOUCH WITH MCCAMBRIDGE DUFFY TOO ,BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS SELF EMPLOYED ,I'VE HEARD THEY SPECIALIZE IN SELF EMPLOYED IVA'S THATS WHY CLEARSTART REFERED US TO THEM ,THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL SO FAR ,IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE IN THE SAME SORT OF POSITION ONLY WE OWE MUCH MORE ;( ,I HAVE JUST OPENED A BASIC CASH MINDER ACCOUNT WITH THE COOPERATIVE BANK ,THEY DID IT ALL OVER THE PHONE ,I WAS ADVISED BY LOTS OF PEOPLE ABOUT DIFFERENT BANKS ,THIS FORUM HAS BEEN A REAL GODSEND .
HAVE YOU SENT ALL YOUR ACCOUNTS ETC TO MCCAMBRIDGE DUFFY YET ? I HAVE JUST SENT OURS OFF ,BUT WE ARE PREPARED TO SELL OUR HOME TO MAKE A FULL AND FINAL LUMP SUM IVA OFFER AS WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO GUARENTEE MONTHLY REPAYMENTS AND AS I SAY WE OWE MUCH MORE TO OUR CREDITORS ,THERE ARE LOTS OF PROFFESIONAL ADVISORS WHO SHOULD CONTACT YOU SOON ,I'D LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR ADVICE TO ME ,THEY HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTE STARS !!! GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING .

[MelanieGiles]

Do make sure that this firm arranges a face to face interview with you both - this is a statutory requirement and well worth attending as you will be able to find out more about the process and gain a better understanding of what happens both before and after an IVA has been approved.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

To have me propose an IVA for you, please visit:
http://www.melaniegiles.com/ivaEnquiry.asp

See customer feedback at:
http://www.iva.com/iva_companies/IVA_Advice_Bureau.asp

[aguise]

Hi jay and welcome to the forum.
Ther are a few bank accounts that seem to be recommended on the forum, personally I recommend thinkbanking a great account though there is a monthly charge, but no credit checks they will accept all, it is the managed account, no matter who creditors are either with this one, I found it great, maestro card as well. Other accounts are the coop cashminder that has visa electron card and internet banking.
Anyway just to say hello and all the best, the hardest bit is realising there is a problem. You will feel better soon I am sure.

Ang

Please visit my blog at http://aguise.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[Skippy]

I would recommend the Co-op Cashminder account if they're not one of your creditors - Visa Electron debit card, internet banking and no monthly fee.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[iva.com]

Hi Owing,

Welcome to the forum. There are client reviews on both Clearstart and McCambridge Duffy at www.IVA.com which may be useful to you.

As Melanie advises, you should ensure that you are able to attend a face to face meeting to gain a better understanding of the process.

Good luck with your application and please let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,
Terry Balfour
IVA.com

IVA.com - The IVA Comparison Site
100s of reviews, All IPs and IVA firms rated.

Use our IVA firm comparison tool to find best IVA firm for you:
http://www.iva.com/iva_comparison_1.asp

[owing30K]

Thanks for the replies, i've just had lloyds onto me sking if i want to consolidate all my lloyds debt [:0] , considering when i went to them for help in August i think they have a nerve [:(!] .

I can't seem to find any reviews on McCambridgeduffy, Melanie Giles seems to have a very good reputation though.

You may get a call Melanie if that's ok.

regards Jay

[emma_t]

Hi and a big welcome to the forum

Although my situation diifers as I am not self employed, I used Melanie Giles and cannot reccommend her and her team highly enough.

I can also say the co-op seems to be a great bank, I opened an account with them in November 07 and so far they have been really good and the internet banking is easy to use also.

Good luck
Emma

[Martin2011]

Cripes, I just looked at Melanies reviews on IVA.com......and made the mistake of comparing with my own IP!!! Ever had that sinking feeling!!.... So wish hindsight was enforceable...

Good luck Owing, talk to Melanie and her team, and very best of luck getting on the road to recovery...

Martin

[MelanieGiles]

I would be delighted to assist you in your decision making process Jay, and look forward to your call.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

To have me propose an IVA for you, please visit:
http://www.melaniegiles.com/ivaEnquiry.asp

See customer feedback at:
http://www.iva.com/iva_companies/IVA_Advice_Bureau.asp

[owing30K]

Well i was going over my overdraft today so i had up it online again, i getting really worried now [V]

I have spoken to McCambridgeduffy and they received our stuff and will ring us within 24hrs .

I'm really getting down about having to do this, it takes my overdraft to £6.5k and i won't be getting paid for another 2 weeks [:0]

Jay