A debt management plan (DMP) isn't legally binding, so you can cancel it if you feel it isn't working for you. However, you may not get a refund of your fees and you'll need to make sure you have another way of dealing with your debts.
This page explains what to think about before cancelling your DMP and how to go about doing it.
When you enter an agreement for a DMP, you should be given information about your right to cancel, an explanation of whether you'll get a refund of any fees, and whether you will be charged a cancellation fee.
If you're not given this information, your DMP provider may be breaking the conditions of its FCA authorisation. You can make a complaint.
Can you cancel a DMP?
A DMP isn't a legally binding agreement. This means that you can cancel it if you want to. There are a number of reasons why you might want to cancel, including:
you're not happy paying a fee each month which means there's less money left to pay your creditors
the interest on your debts hasn't been frozen, so the problem is getting worse
your circ*mstances have changed for the worse and you're struggling to make the payments
you've come in to some money, perhaps through an inheritance or payment protection insurance reclaim, and are in a position to pay off your debts more quickly
you're not happy with your provider.
Before you cancel
Before you cancel your DMP, you need to think carefully about what will happen next. Ask yourself these questions.
How are you going to deal with your debts now?
Before you cancel your DMP you should think about how you're going to deal with your debts afterwards. When you cancel, the provider will tell your creditors, so they might start charging you interest and late payment fees again, as well as expecting you to resume higher payments. You'll also have to deal with your creditors yourself again. Think about how you're going to cope with this.
You should think about other debt solutions that would help you to deal with your debts before you go ahead and cancel your DMP.
Will you get a refund of any fees?
Whether or not you can get a refund of any fees or charges from your DMP will depend on what your agreement with the DMP provider says. Check the terms and conditions carefully to see if you can get a refund of some of your fees.
If you entered the DMP agreement over the phone or on the internet, then it is classed as a distance sale which gives you extra rights. You will have a cooling off period of 30 days. During this time, you can cancel your DMP for any reason and get a refund of any fees you've paid.
Will you have to pay a cancellation fee?
Your provider should have given you information about cancellation fees when you first entered your agreement. These fees should be reasonable.
Are you cancelling because you were misled?
DMP providers have to follow certain rules as a condition of being FCA authorised. These include not misleading you and making sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about starting a DMP. If you believe your provider misled you, perhaps by making claims that weren't true or leaving out important information, you can make a complaint as well as cancelling your DMP.
Cancelling your DMP
To cancel your DMP, you need to contact your provider and ask to cancel. They will inform your creditors that the agreement has been cancelled, so you can expect to start dealing with them yourself again.
Next steps
FAQs
When you cancel, the provider will tell your creditors, so they might start charging you interest and late payment fees again, as well as expecting you to resume higher payments. You'll also have to deal with your creditors yourself again. Think about how you're going to cope with this.
Is cancellation of debt a good thing? ›
While debt cancellation may seem like a freebie, that's not always the case. Outside of federal student loan forgiveness programs and credit insurance, forgiven debt may be subject to taxes and cause significant damage to your credit.
Can creditors reject DMP? ›
Sometimes a creditor will refuse to deal with a DMP provider. This could be because the creditor doesn't want to accept the reduced payments or sometimes it could be because they've objected to you using a fee-charging provider, which would mean there's less money to pay the debts you have with them.
What happens if you stop paying debt consolidation? ›
A debt consolidation loan would go into default. Again, the lender may send the debt to a collector. If you used a debt management program and don't keep up with the payments, you can get kicked off the program. However, if you call the credit counseling team in advance, they can help you make special arrangements.
What are the disadvantages of debt cancellation? ›
You May End Up with More Debt Than You Started
Stopping payment on a debt means you could face late fees and accruing interest. Additionally, just because a creditor agrees to lower the amount you owe doesn't mean you're free and clear on that particular debt.
Can you come out of a debt management plan? ›
But if you change your mind, you can cancel a DMP at any time. Some of the potential reasons you may consider canceling your DMP include: Your financial situation has improved and you no longer need the DMP. You've received a windfall of cash and can pay off your debt in full.
Does cancellation of debt affect your tax return? ›
Generally, if you borrow money from a commercial lender and the lender later cancels or forgives the debt, you may have to include the cancelled amount in income for tax purposes. The lender is usually required to report the amount of the canceled debt to you and the IRS on a Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt.
Can a creditor still collect after issuing a 1099-C? ›
If a creditor continues to attempt to collect the debt after you receive a 1099-C, the debt may not have been canceled and you may not have income from a canceled debt. Verify your specific situation with the creditor.
Does cancellation of debt hurt your credit score? ›
If you are facing serious financial difficulties, you may be able to get all or a portion of your debts canceled. However, debt cancellation can have long-term negative consequences to your credit, and you should consider it only when there are no better alternatives for you.
What happens if I can't pay my DMP? ›
If you've missed a payment
If you've already missed a payment, you need to contact your DMP provider immediately. Missing a payment will mean your creditors don't get the monthly payment they're expecting, which may mean they decide to stop co-operating with your DMP.
Your Bank Account & A Debt Management Plan
In conclusion, a Debt Management Plan (DMP) does not directly affect your bank account. You can usually continue using your current bank account as usual when you enter a DMP providing that you do not wish to include a debt on your DMP that is with your bank account provider.
What are 3 things that a debt collection agency Cannot do? ›
Debt collectors cannot harass or abuse you. They cannot swear, threaten to illegally harm you or your property, threaten you with illegal actions, or falsely threaten you with actions they do not intend to take.
What happens if I cancel my debt relief program? ›
Here are a few things that happen when you stop paying your debt management plan: Interests rates on credit cards jump back to previous levels. Late fees that were waived may be reinstated. Credit card payments are no longer consolidated into one payment.
Is national debt relief worth it? ›
On average, consumers completing the program see a 23% decrease in enrolled debt after fees. A big plus is that National Debt Relief doesn't collect any fees until a settlement offer is received from the creditor, the client approves the settlement and at least one settlement payment is made to the creditor.
Can I still use my credit card after debt consolidation? ›
If a credit card account remains open after you've paid it off through debt consolidation, you can still use it. However, running up another balance could make it difficult to pay off your debt consolidation account.
What happens if I drop out of a debt relief program? ›
You might not finish the whole program.
If that happens, you're out the fees you paid the debt settlement company for any debts they've already settled, you will still owe any debts that haven't been settled yet, and your credit report probably shows late payments which can hurt your credit.
What happens if I cancel my debt agreement? ›
Effects of terminating a debt agreement:
Creditors can commence or continue recovery for the payment of debts that you owe (including interest). Creditors can apply to make you bankrupt through court. Information about your debt agreement will remain on the National Personal Insolvency Index (NPII) for a limited time.
Can you take a break from a DMP? ›
Taking a break can provide temporary relief, but it will extend the duration of your DMP, taking you longer to pay off your debts. Also, bear in mind that while you may not be making your monthly payments, it's possible that your creditors will continue charging you interest, fees or charges.
