Being ignored by Barclaycard...HELP!!!!

sillylittlejill

Hi guys

I sent Barclaycard a letter almost 2 weeks ago telling them that I was unable to meet my minimum payments as I wasn't working and I was looking for advice and assistance. I got the template from a link on this site. I know that they received my letter because they have started ringing me but in the letter I asked that they only contact me through letters.

They have ignored my letter, all they have done is sent me my bill with a leaflet called "Arrears, a guide" or something along those lines.

I don't understand what I can do. I am going to write a letter to them again but not sure what to say. Anyone else had this problem??

Any help would be appreciated


xxxx

sacbaby37

Hi jill, i had the same probs wiv barclaycard and they continued to ring me 2-3 times a day, i rung them and explained i was having money problems and if i could reduce my payments, i was told no i couldnt until i was in arrears with them, i ended up going through debt management with the cccs and it wasnt until they took it over for me that they left me alone. Sorry i cant give you better news but they are a nasty company with nasty people that wouldnt help you if you were on fire. If you really need too try another method like myself, i now have all my creditors being paid every month, for alot less than they wanted and i dont have too put up with nasty people like barclay card on my back, i ended up changing my phone number because of them, ahh maybe thats the way to go. Hope you get it sorted, let me know how u get on Sez xxx:D

sillylittlejill

thanks the problem with the phonecalls really was that my number I have them when I signed up for the card is now my sisters number (I gave her my old phone when I got a new one) and she was getting phonecalls from 8am-8pm monday to sunday at least 5 a day and now they have my correct number they are doing the same thing. I am just angry that they have ignored my letter. They havent bothered sending a reply, just completely ignored it but they must have got it because they have my right number.

I'm working at phones4u so going to see if one of my colleagues can block the number for me!! I'm not sure how to do it on my phone!

A quick question, what effect does the debt management with the cccs have on your credit rating?
thanks for replying though xxx

[Deleted User]

Hi Jill,

Sorry to hear youre having problems with paying and experiencing difficulty with Barclaycard.

I used to work for Barclaycard and now work for another Financial Services company and i deal with arrears cases.

First off ring them to check they have actually recieved your letter, Barclaycard are a huge company and there is no guarentees your letter has landed in front of who it needs to. I would also advise you to liase with them by phone as all calls are logged and recorded so there is proof of what you have agreed.

As you know with it being Christmas, Barclaycard wont simply give you a payment break or reduce payments unless you are in arrears, i think that pretty easy to understand, its very hard though for creditors to recognise the difference between a Cant pay or a Wont pay.

Also two other points ill mention, they should definately not be calling you more than 3 times a day as this is deemed unreasonable, if you do get a message though, as i said you should most definately ring them back immedietly, you wont be able to block their number as most creditors withhold their numbers.

Hope you get it sorted soon, i dont pass judgement in these circumstances and neither will they.

sillylittlejill

Hi thanks for helping. I have tried ringing them a few times but I either get an indian person I can't understand (not being racist but he has a very strong accent and his phone goes all crackly) or I get cut off.

I am honestly not just a "won't pay" customer. I haven't been spending money on xmas presents and just ignoring it. I am putting as much money as possible from this months pay (24th December) in an effort to try and get my debt down. I am going to send them another letter today enclosing a copy of my other letter, but not sure who I should send it to. Is there a particular department or someone that I could send it to so that it got dealt with better?


thanksxx

sillylittlejill

hi guys

I have drafted a letter but not sure whether it is okay to send, can you let me know???

"
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing in reference to a letter I sent to you on..................... I enclose a copy of this letter for your convenience.
Further to this letter, after receiving over 6 calls a day starting from 8am to 8pm, which is classed as harrassment by Trading Standards. I therefore require that you only contact me via letters.
I am currently working but only in a christmas temporary position. After Christmas I am starting a higher education course. I would appreciate it if you could send me information so that I am able to set up a direct debit to pay my credit card balance off each month. I hope to work in a part time position whilst studying but due to the looming recession at the moment you will surely understand that this is quite difficult.
I have found the phonecalls very upsetting and it is affecting my mental health as I have a history of suffering badly from stress and anxiety and it is affecting my day to day life. I would appreciate it if you would please note this on my records. If you continue to harrass me in this manner I will have no other option than to report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading.
I would appreciate it if you could also send me a copy of your complaints procedure.
If I have not heard from you by 14th January 2009 I will re-send this letter."


I'm not sure if I should put something else in the letter or take things out so can you guys let me know?

thanks xxxx

Obukit

sillylittlejill wrote: »

"
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing in reference to a letter I sent to you on..................... I enclose a copy of this letter for your convenience.
Further to this letter, after receiving over 6 calls a day starting from 8am to 8pm, which is classed as harrassment by Trading Standards. I therefore require that you only contact me via letters.
I am currently working but only in a christmas temporary position. After Christmas I am starting a higher education course. I would appreciate it if you could send me information so that I am able to set up a direct debit to pay my credit card balance off each month. I hope to work in a part time position whilst studying but due to the looming recession at the moment you will surely understand that this is quite difficult.
I have found the phonecalls very upsetting and it is affecting my mental health as I have a history of suffering badly from stress and anxiety and it is affecting my day to day life. I would appreciate it if you would please note this on my records. If you continue to harrass me in this manner I will have no other option than to report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading.
I would appreciate it if you could also send me a copy of your complaints procedure.
If I have not heard from you by 14th January 2009 I will re-send this letter."

No offence but it is a bit all over the place. People reading this will be reading hundreds of similar letters a week and so keeping it simple might be easier.

E.g. listing your income and outgoings, including proof of these, then suggesting a fair payment you could make if interest is frozen on your account.

sillylittlejill

The problem is that I literally don't have any money to give them! Thats how me and OH are in this position. I had to borrow money from my parents to make rent this month. It's pretty pointless listing my income as the only stable income into the household is my OH's. My job finishes on 3rd January 2009 so by the time they have read it and replied etc everything will have changed.

thanks for the help though

xxx

fermi

sillylittlejill wrote: »

The problem is that I literally don't have any money to give them!

In that case then it may be worth incorporating some elements of this letter.

Your address

Date:

To:

Dear Sir/Madam

Re Account No/Reference No:- 4563210025897412

Since making that above agreement with you, our circumstances have changed.

We cannot now afford to agreed monthly payments because ... [your paragraph added here]

We enclose a Personal Budget sheet which shows our total income from all sources, and the total outgoings of our household. As you can see we have no money left to make offers of payment to my creditors.

In view of our circumstances, would you please accept [no payment/a token payment] at present to be reviewed in [X] months. If interest or other charges are being added to the account, we would be grateful if you would freeze these so our debt does not increase.

Should my circumstances improve we will contact you again.

Thank you for your assistance. We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.



Mr A N Other

Certainly keep in the references to the telephone harassment.

It would also be worth taking a look at the link below which has advice and further template letters.

Link: Review Pack - For people who have no available income to pay creditors

There is also plenty of help and experience on the Debt-Free Wannabe board and Martin's article:

Debt Problems: Where to start, what to do, where to get help

sillylittlejill

hi thanks, am looking at the review pack. Hopefully the budget sheet will help us before we even send the letter.

Thanks again xxx

CLAPTON

and
don't set up a DD as you can't control how much they take... set up a standing order instead

and send all correspondance by recorded delivery.