If you need someone with you for moral support while you open letters, like a family member or friend, that’s fine. Needing support in difficult times is normal and nothing to be ashamed of (they can make you a cup of tea while you open your letters!).
Once you’ve opened these, find the balances owed, and write them down. Keep going until you’ve worked through the whole pile. If you have old bills or statements for the same debt, write down the balance from the most recent.
I don’t have the letters to hand. What can I do?
Some people avoid dealing with their debt by hiding their letters or throwing them in the bin. Or they could've moved home and haven’t given their creditors their new address.
If this is the case with you, it’s still possible to get up-to-date balances on your debts, through credit reference agencies.
There are three credit reference agencies: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. They can give you access to this information online.