Bankruptcy Radio Interview
I did a radio interview on BBC Hereford and Worcester this evening talking about my experiences of going bankrupt. I thought it may be a telephone interview, but I went into the studio. This may not sound like much to people, but for me, it was quite a big thing. I am not a great one for public speaking (from what many people have said, I ummed too much at the beginning).
It was very interesting to see how things worked, and it was good to be able to put across how I managed to get into so much debt, and how I tried to reason with banks to pay a smaller amount until I was able to get a more sound financial footing, and subsequently how their greed pushed me into bankruptcy.
I would like to have thought that I have given people the reassurance that going bankrupt is not scary. I would have liked to put across the fact that I had nothing taken from me in the course of my bankruptcy, I got a discount on my petition for bankruptcy because I was receiving family credit (if I recall correctly), and that the hardest and most daunting part was completing the petition (which I did online) which took 45 minutes.
Going into the judge’s chambers and being deemed bankrupt took me all of five minutes.
I have read your petition for bankruptcy and see that bankruptcy is your only real option…
The judge signed a document, and I was led into the deeper bowels of the court where I spoke to the Insolvency Agency which took a few details and that was it. I had a telephone interview with them at a slightly later date, sent them all my bank statements and credit card statements, and that was it! Nobody came around to inspect my assets, and the nicest feeling was that when I got harassed on the phone by the banks, I knew they could do nothing.
Bank: So are you going to pay?
Me: No
Bank: You have an obligation to pay your debts
Me: nope. I dont
Bank: why?
Me: I dont want to
Bank: Thats not a good reason not to pay
Me: Why?
Bank: You have signed a contract stating that yadda yadda yadda (I zoned out at this time)
Me: (noticing that the line was quiet) Oh yeah, I forgot, I was made bankrupt 20 minutes ago.
I gave them the court’s details and that was it! I heard no more from the banks.
Even though I blame myself for getting myself into the mess, I still blame the banks for constantly offering me credit. These banks are:
Halifax, Lloyds TSB, Household Bank, Cahoot, First Direct. They are all evil.
I got a bank account with the Co-Operative Bank a day or so after going bankrupt and never looked back. No credit, and UK call centers! Couldn’t ask for any more…!
I would like to think that people could contact me if they wanted some more information about the bankruptcy process that I went through to help alleviate any fears, so if you did want to, you can email me at andy-at-andydixon-dot-com
