Delayed Letters From a Collection Agency.

OwtForNowt

Hi. I owe abit to Metropolitan Collection Service Limited, and every few months they send me a letter saying the agreement has now ended and they want me to increase my payments.

However the sate that the letter is dated is always about 2 weeks before it arrives which means about 2 days later i receive another letter stating that as they have not heard from me they will apply for an automatic increase in my repayment.

Is this a common way by these people to try and get a increase in a repayment. I have sent them a letter to ask why my letters are always so late but have not had a response.

Thanks.

GeorgeUK

They shouldn't be increasing payments without your permission.

If i post a letter through your door while you're away on holiday saying i want to buy your house for £5 and if i don't hear from you i'll assume you've agreed, how long do i have before i get a well deserved slap?

If they try to increase the payments without your permission, write to them stating that you have not agreed to any increase and will continue to pay the previously agreed amount. Is this a direct debit? If so, cancel it and set up a standing order instead so you control when and how much comes out of your account.

OwtForNowt

GeorgeUK wrote: »

They shouldn't be increasing payments without your permission.

If i post a letter through your door while you're away on holiday saying i want to buy your house for £5 and if i don't hear from you i'll assume you've agreed, how long do i have before i get a well deserved slap?

If they try to increase the payments without your permission, write to them stating that you have not agreed to any increase and will continue to pay the previously agreed amount. Is this a direct debit? If so, cancel it and set up a standing order instead so you control when and how much comes out of your account.

Thanks.

The letter says;

As we have not received a response to our recent request for an increase in your payments, we are left with no alternative but to apply for an automatic increase to your payment plan.

This increase will take effect from your next instalment, and a letter informing you of the amount required will be sent to you in due course.

Its just that the first letter is always atleast 2 weeks after it was dated and the second one is only afew days which makes me suspicious.

stapeley

You should NEVER give them a debit card details. Whats to stop them taking the full amount or any amount they want ? Please give us back ground details etc we can suggest how to deal with it .

RAS

There is nothing suspicious about it - this is a delibarate ploy.

I am hoping you have not set up a direct debt with this mob, as that is the only way I know that they could take extra money without your consent?

GeorgeUK

If they refuse to cancel the DD (if there is one), you may find yourself becoming careless and needing to request a replacement card for the one you have just lost.

OwtForNowt

Sorry, no i do not have a direct debit with them. I pay them online.

Its from a HSBC credit card that i couldnt pay off, Its about £1000. Im only paying £10 a month as thats all i can afford to pay for now.

Any suggestions as to what to do? If both of the letters were delayed a while then it could be the post but non of my other post is ever delayed like this.

GeorgeUK

Write to them offerring to provide a copy of your incomings and outgoings to show that you cannot afford to increase the amount you are paying. State that you cannot agree to any increase until your financial situation changes and hope that the continued payments of £10 are acceptable.

OwtForNowt

Thanks George, I'll do that now.

Should I include in the letter anything about the delayed letters they are sending me?

GeorgeUK

I wouldn't bother unless you were to make an official complaint. They haven't responded to your previous letter regarding this so either they person receiving it doesn't know and doesn't know who to ask about the problem, or just doesn't care. I'd stick to the matters that are most important - they're not getting more than your can afford to give.

OwtForNowt

Thanks George.