Have reached breaking point

annamack

Had to go to my docs this morning because of relentless calls from hbos. Have had to take my hols because I am just a wreck. After promising there would not be any more calls there have been 5 in two days. I have called the ombudsman who will look in to it but I think I should go and see a solicitor. This might sound paranoid but I think they are calling just to bait me and see what sort of reaction they get. They have told me they will put it right (see previous posts) but I dont believe them. Any advice would help

Miss_Piggy_2

I'm sure someone with better legal advice will be along shortly.

What I would recommend is either ignoring your phone or unplugging it. Ask close family etc to use other means of communication for a while. Just until you feel better.

Lots of hugs

Miss P
xx

whitewing

Are you actually answering the calls? I just wondered as I know of some people who are getting calls asking to settle at low amounts (eg £5k instead of £13k) so they may be trying to find out some info????

Jesthar

Hi Anna,

I had a friend who went though this kind of hassle from HSBC, they used to call multiple times a day, including Sunday. :mad:

If they have promised they would not call you (and you have a right to demand they only communicate with you in writing), then I think there is a template letter around here somewhere you can send them which basically says 'deal with me in writing only and if you call me again you're breaking the law', which you can send my registered/recorded delivery (can't remember whcih is cheaper). Can you get your doctor to back you up on the stress they are causing you, as they are in even more trouble if they have caused distress to a vulnerable person?

Also, keep a written log of all the calls as best you can - or even actually record them if you can - so you can prove how often they have been calling you, and what they have been saying. If you do answer any of them, always repeat your request to only be dealt with by letter as you have previously asked, as that will also count against them when you report them.

*hugs* Hope you feel better soon, just remember that what they are doing is wrong, and you must not blame yourself!

~Jes

bathgatebuyer

How horrid for you. I know what it's like to be pestered by the Halifax for money. I was told by them that they will continually call until they get an answer, so I eventually just switched my phone off to them and the rest of the world. That achieved nothing other than me worrying whether they were actually calling when the phone was off!

There is a letter you can send to them telling them that you only want to deal with them by phone. I can only suggest a search of 'harrassment' and 'Halifax' and you'll find it.

Incidentally, HBOS have made the press several times before over their persistent calls to a terminally ill customer and settled out of court in those cases. Again, google should help you find that article!

annamack

Thank you to everyone. I have been keeping a note of all the calls and my husband has been there for a lot of them so has listened in seen me in tears and throwing up!!!! NOT NICE. I swing between wanting to say " go on then keep phoning" and crying in fear and frustration. My doc was great and will back up in writing and my boss has been brill too saying she will put in writing how my work has suffered and they have allowed me to take bulk holidays. Not that I should have to take my hols to deal with this. I will keep fighting no way are they gonna win. I do say to myself there are people worse off than me and not as strong it just gets to you how they think they can treat you like this. Thanks again for all the positive vibes

RAS

PLEASE if you answer the phone, refuse to answer the security questions, then they cannot continue with the call.

Have you written and told them to take your phone numbers off their records?

Then you can report them to the Information Commisioner if they ring again.

annamack

I have called the financial ombudsman and they are going to contact the bank. They are sending something out in the post to me today. Not sure what exactly but will keep you posted. Hopefully all this mess will be sorted out by Monday as the customer complaints department promised but I wont hold my breath. I am going to do a huge letter of complaint and perhaps even go to the papers they need to be exposed for what they are doing to people. I know that they have already had loads of bad press but it just doesnt stop them. They must all be grown from the same gene pool. Swamp monkeys all of them

mother_hen_2

annamack... I'm with BT and I changed my number (for free) I told them I was getting nasty calls, it was an instant change. Just a thought!

ajaney

A couple of things you can do:

Caller Display: For a few pounds a month (£1.75 I believe), you can see the number of the person who is calling so you can decide if to answer. You will need a compatible handset (80% are if the have a digital display) or you used to be able to buy a little box which plugged into the telephone socket which would display the number. This is handy if you don't want to turn the phone off. I have this service at home & never answer any withheld or 0845/0870 number unless I am expecting a call. Kwik Fit were trying to get hold of me but we never picked up so they wrote to us. Any genuine company who you have a relationship with will normally do this.

Turn the phone off: Turn the ringer off or Unplug the socket & only have it plugged in when you want to use the phone. Tell friends & family you have been having trouble with nuisance calls if you don't want to tell them the real reason & can they ring 2 or 3 times on your mobile first (you won't pick up) & give you a few minutes to plug the phone/turn ringer on in then try ringing again

BT Choose to Refuse service: A bit pricey at £3.35 a month but you can bar certain numbers from calling with this service

Change your number: Ask BT about changing your phone number. Make sure any new number is ex directory.

Hope this helps a bit.

halight

Hi

I know how you feel iv neen there but i had 6 companys phoneing me all the time!!!!
But there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will get there mate.
Keep thinking that it will all get sorted out and you will smile again!!!!!

All the best