Quite a Funny Provident Personal Credit Story

Ill keep this basic, rather than rant about it.

Applied for a Voucher Loan back in 2008. Around November that year. Took £100 in vouchers, and agreed to pay back £2.50 a week for 27 weeks.

Signed the agreement, still have it. Notified the agent that I was moving house in a couple of weeks, and would like to change all my details. This was done the week after. She said she was actually quitting, and that Id have a new agent. That agent never came by my old place.

Moved around the 18th. Agent never came thereafter.

In January, he knocked on my door. 'Hello. Im your new agent. Your agreement will start at £2.50 for 27 weeks from this time next week.'

Funky.

Wait for agent. Agent never comes. Week after week after week. Nothing. Not even a letter. So I left it, thinking they would get it touch.

About June 2009, Wescott Red Letter. 'You are outstanding £136. Pay it now to avoid it being passed to a legal team.' Contacted them instantly, explaining the situation. Woman asked how much I could pay. Said I was willing to continue the original agreement of £2.50 a week. 'Ill ask the manager.'

A moment later, 'nope. We can take £10 a week minimum.'
'I dont have £10 to myself to give. I get £45 a week to live on through Income Support.'
'So youre not agreeing to £10?'
'No. £2.50.'
'What are your partners income details?' At which point, I state I will put her on. She says, in no uncertain terms that her income has nothing to do with this, and will refuse to answer any questions put forward to her or myself on it.
I am handed back the phone, and I say, '£10 a month.'
'Im terminating this call.'

Yesterday, a chap phones me from a different collection service, which I still dont know the name of, stating its in the final stages of collection, and will be door-step collected unless I can pay something. I couldnt at the moment, and I didnt know when I could, but would try.

He said he has to pass it on to someone else.

So, today, a call from a woman at the same company's 'legal' dept. Wanting me to agree to a payment plan. I said £5 a fortnight, and she didnt agree, or disagree, and instead told me to tally up ALL our household income and outcome, and then they would decide a plan.

I questioned why my partners income should come into this when it is my debt, and I am making moves to settle it gradually. She said, 'Ive worked for the DWP and the CAB will tell you the same - all household income has to be stated, no matter what.'

She said she would call back in a few days, when I will again state £2.50 a week. Is this reasonable? I mean, its a £136 debt that I can pay back gradually, and perfectly willing to. Just seems they want to make a mountain out of a mole-hill here. And all this from two half-bothered agents who couldnt be bothered to come and collect the money they are paid to collect.

Any advice? Im not worried, but would like some reassurance that these people are using scare tactics to get me to stump up the debt ASAP, and maybe what to do next? I feel court isnt an option, because it would probably cost them more to take me there, but a door-step collector doesnt sound too appetising either.

Cheers.