Debt collector help

Hello I wonder if anyone can advise me to cut a long story short I owed ebay money (through no fault of my own that's another story and I have to pay up end of) they wouldn't allow me to do so in instalments so have passed it to a collection agency. They call me up to 4 or 5 times a day when I'm at work and unable to answer anyway. They have been writing to an old address as I hadn't updated my details. I called them as I was getting so stressed they have informed me I can pay £120 for 5 months I explained I can't afford that so they have said I must do an affordability check with them is this correct can they make me do this? I'm so stressed and worried also the man did admit it verge on harassment.

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  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 28,730
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    Ebayer1234 wrote: »
    Hello I wonder if anyone can advise me to cut a long story short I owed ebay money (through no fault of my own that's another story and I have to pay up end of) they wouldn't allow me to do so in instalments so have passed it to a collection agency. They call me up to 4 or 5 times a day when I'm at work and unable to answer anyway. They have been writing to an old address as I hadn't updated my details. I called them as I was getting so stressed they have informed me I can pay £120 for 5 months I explained I can't afford that so they have said I must do an affordability check with them is this correct can they make me do this? I'm so stressed and worried also the man did admit it verge on harassment.



    Hi,
    First of all never call them again, they have no rights at all, you are not obliged to share any of your personal information with any 3rd party collection agency, work out what you can afford to pay them, then make your offer to them in writing, also include a paragraph which tells them "you will only deal with this matter in writing, and to never phone you again, please remove all contact numbers you hold for me on your systems".
    They may say your offer is not enough, but you must be persistent, they will accept it in the end, you have to take control of this, not them.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • Thanks for your reply could I do this by email? Many thanks
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 28,730
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    Ebayer1234 wrote: »
    Thanks for your reply could I do this by email? Many thanks



    You can do it by email yes, a letter would be better, as it is more formal, but an email would suffice, don't be fobbed off by a negative response, they are all moves in the dance so to speak, stick to your guns, if they reject your offer, repeat it, until they accept, and they will in the end, trust me.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • Ebayer1234
    Ebayer1234 Posts: 7 Forumite
    Hello thanks so much for your help ok so should I hairs state that I am under no obligation to share personal info and I can only afford £x per month? Thanks again
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 28,730
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    Send them something along these lines :


    Dear DCA,


    Unfortunately I am unable to pay the full outstanding balance you have requested, I am however able to pay in affordable instalments, after my essential bills have been paid, I have (insert amount) available to pay this debt, and shall pay this amount to you on a monthly basis until the debt is satisfied.
    This is the maximum amount I can pay, and please note, I am under no obligation to share my personal information with any 3rd party.
    Please also note, I will only deal with this matter in writing, I will not speak to you on the phone, please do not call me again in regard to this matter, and remove all contact numbers you hold for me on your systems.
    I also request you supply me with your payment details, bank account number, and sort code.
    yours sincerely


    Don't sign, just print your name, only include the payment details request if you don't already have them.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • Ebayer1234
    Ebayer1234 Posts: 7 Forumite
    Thanks so much!
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 28,730
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    Ebayer1234 wrote: »
    Thanks so much!



    No probs, good luck with it !!
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
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