Sending off for your own credit file does not get recorded on your file. This would seem to me the most logical place to start before paying any one anything.(posted 8301 days ago)To make your money go further negotiate with your debtors to accept PART payment of the debt in "full and final settlement", but be sure to get them to agree to taking negative info off of your credit file first. Negative and positive info can stay on your credit file for up to 6 years, so if nothing else getting your file will help you know where to start.
As for the floodgates, I have no real idea, but doubt it, –unsecured creditors will mostly get satisfaction from having a CCJ or default registered against you and leave it at that (in the knowledge that they have ruined your credit rating!) – it’s the mortgage lenders that will pursue you relentlessly – Why? because they can….