dealing with collectors: my plan, add your advice

[limage]

I am filing ch 7 in Feb/March

I stopped paying my mortgage payments in November.

I have 7 credit cards that will start calling soon.

I got a prepaid cell phone service on an old cell phone for 15 bucks, and I changed the number on all of my accounts before I stopped paying (except for the mortgages, but I told them to call me on the new number...hope it works).

I decided I will call them back and let them know I am filing BK and give them my attorneys phone number.

Is that it? I don't really need to speak to them do I? Whats the point? Im not going to pay anymore.

I'm confused by some of the posters in this section. They dont mention filing and discuss how to deal with them a lot. I dont see the point if you are going to file.

Also, if I file begining of March, my payments will be about 90 days late, 120 on my home. Is there anything I should be worried about?

[HHM]

That sounds fine to me.

Not sure what else you can do.

[StartingOver08]

That is a good plan. Also remember to make sure your checking account is not tied to any of your credit cards or installment loans. If it is, move your checking account to a neutral bank while your credit is relatively good.

Remember to stop all auto debits you have to your accounts well before filing.

Start your household inventory early! It can take a while to do the valuations.

Before I filed I stopped a lot of monthly subscriptions; for example, newspaper (on line now), Directv (no TV) etc. This not only helps with the budget, it wraps up some of the outstanding items 'clean' without involving that creditor in a BK

Your plan sounds like a good one.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

I would print or save all of your credit card statements before filing. If you move your bank account get two years worth of statements. You probably wont need them, However, if you get caught by a random audit you will need them. As soon as you stop paying your credit cards you will be locked out of your bank account and wont be able to get copies of your statements. I imagine they wouldn't be that helpful in sending you statements if they suspect you will be filing.

When you file make sure you are current on all of your bills you plan to continue to pay. ( if you decide to keep house & car) Also utility bills. I heard that they may want to charge you a deposit.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

I had also created a phone script to help me and my wife if they call me.

Hello,

May I ask who is calling (if they don’t tell you who is calling ask the question again) This phone call is being recorded if you do not wish to be recorded please hang up now.

This is Mr. or Mrs. I am currently filing for Bankruptcy if you believe I owe you a debt you will have to contact my attorney for further information.

Would you like my attorneys name and contact information?


If they harass you your reply is:

My attorney can answer your question would you like his/her name and contact information?

Since you do not wish to contact my attorney regarding your question I must terminate this call. Have a Nice Day (Hang Up)

Here is the thread to read more about it. They will try to trick you into talking with them.. Don't do it if you have already retained an attorney

http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=27825

[limage]

MI, Do I need 2 years of credit card statements or checking statements? Or both.
What are/ they looking for on the bank statements? Large deposits? Large payments.
Last month I opened a Suntrust checking and savings account. I currently bank with a credit union, but I wanted a national bank account in case I move out of the area when this is all done.

Thanks for the advice.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

They would most likely be looking for large transfers of money, large debits or cash withdraws. Now, I have not completed my bankruptcy(chapter 7 no asset).
So, what I say you have to take with a grain of salt. However, I read a member in here got a random audit and she didn't have access to all these documents( taxes documents, credit statements) etc. I only provided two years of tax documents and 3 months of paystubs and bank statements.

I shred my credit card statements after 3 months. So, i logged in and downloaded all my previous statements. I am now locked out of all my accounts. Personally, I would rather be over prepared and have the documents than get caught short. Other people don't worry about and nothing ever happens. However, my luck in not like that.. I would be the person with the random audit. LOL.. I guess that's why I don't like gambling..

[StartingOver08]

I had to provide 4 yrs tax returns, 3 yrs cc statements, 2 yrs bank stmts etc. You want to have all of this ready, but turn in only what the attorney asks for - as MI pointed out, you want to be prepared in case you are audited.

The other important point that MI pointed out is the lock out feature when you are behind. Make sure you download everything to your hard drive right away. Once you file, you are locked out. In some cases, notably mortgages, once you get behind 30 days or more, then you are locked out.