RMA Debt Collection Agency

Down_But_Not_Out_6

Just a quick update on this one, as I’m still fighting like a tiger on this one. After a number of particularly detailed letters, citing irregularities of the OFT guidelines; I finally got a statement of account from Amex. Which was great, since it showed some £1,500 worth of payments I had made to RMA not being apportioned to my Amex account. I have written to ask for an immediate explanation as to why this is the case, and of course told them I do not expect any contact from RMA whilst I am requesting this information – this being clearly cited in the OFT 1993 Guidelines section 2.8, sub-section k.

My original debt to Amex was in the region of £7K, to which a charge of £355.91 was added as a referral fee for RMA. Amex are still charging interest on the reducing balance of £70 per month, and even with the missing money that’s somewhere in the RMA sausage-machine the balance is at £5,200. When the funds are apportioned to the account that RMA have ‘temporarily lost’ the balance will be closer to £3,700.

Given the norm is for them to look to recover 80% of the total sum, and that in my instance including charges this would equate to £6,000, I was wondering if being a real pain in the you-know-what; threatening them with the FOS and OFT investigations, etc then they might settle for a lump sum settlement of circa. £2,300 or so. Am I maybe selling myself short?

I must admit, there’s a bit of me now I know the law’s on my side that would love to screw both RMA and Amex via the FOS and OFT as there are clear and flagrant violations of the OFT’s guidelines on a daily basis. There’s another bit of me that just wants them all out of the way for once and for all. Decisions, decisions…..

030

Make them an offer in full and final settlement, you never know! it would be worth it to be rid of them. Its a shame though because I'd love for someone to bring them to court and explain where all that money is and why it hasn't been passed on!

helenm1005

Really useful to hear al this - the first we heard of them was a card through the door telling us they had arranegd an appointment with us in a weeks time - no phonecall or anything else so appointment cancelled and hopefully back speaking to MBNA now.

Down_But_Not_Out_6

I have reached a delicate stage in my negotiations; so I can't elaborate too much now. However, in summary I'm making some real progress.The lesson so far? Learn the appropriate law. It's easy, straightforward and concise. List every time you believe there's been a breach and put it in writing. The OFT Guideline 1993 should be your Bible, the Trading Standards office are a great sounding board, and the FOS (Financial Ombudsman) have a simple and effective complaints procedure.Whoever you originally had the debt with cannot wash their hands when they introduce a third party. The OFT Guidelines clearly state their third party responsibility; and everything is thus done in their name.Bombard them with letters of complaint, citing every single breach of regulations. There will be plenty, I assure you

PixiePie

This oh-so-lovely company contacted me today. What I got upset about was not so much at the language directed at me (I'm old and ugly enough to take it) just the thought that if it were someone seriously considering ending it, that would have made them go over the top probably.

Being called an idiot, a fat lazy slag, a liar, immoral and told I was scum is not a professional way to deal with people RMA (and I didn't prompt any of this honest, I just told them the truth).

Will not be dealing with them again by telephone that is for sure (I wont' validate myself again....), and will be BR soon (not something I take lightly I assure you) so hopefully they will be OR's problem, wonder if they talk to him/her like that? :eek:

rog2

I have bumped this thread as there are some serious questions being asked, at the moment, about RMA.
Many answers will be found in this thread, plus it serves as a great reference for any newbies, on just how the Debt Collection Industry works.

RAS

Any recent news

rog2

Down_But_Not_Out wrote: »

I have reached a delicate stage in my negotiations; so I can't elaborate too much now. However, in summary I'm making some real progress.The lesson so far? Learn the appropriate law. It's easy, straightforward and concise. List every time you believe there's been a breach and put it in writing. The OFT Guideline 1993 should be your Bible, the Trading Standards office are a great sounding board, and the FOS (Financial Ombudsman) have a simple and effective complaints procedure.Whoever you originally had the debt with cannot wash their hands when they introduce a third party. The OFT Guidelines clearly state their third party responsibility; and everything is thus done in their name.Bombard them with letters of complaint, citing every single breach of regulations. There will be plenty, I assure you

Extremely well said DBNO. Straight and to the point - these people MUST adhere to the OFT guidelines and are NOT free to interpret them to their own advantage.
Keep us updated.:beer:

PixiePie

After having a particular gent verbally abuse me many times on the phone (despite me telling him to only write to me, hanging up on him etc etc, he kept calling and called me a fat slag, a fat waster, a lazy liar and worse) from RMA, I was stupidly (after all, sticks and stones etc) living in fear of another call from them, but then my case was transferred to a rather nice lady, who listened to what I had to say, thanked me for my time and just asked me to send my I&E into her. They also wanted my ref numbers from the National Debtline and CAB, but I refused to give these (I thought these were anon services and I certainly wouldn't have said some of the things I said to these people if I thought anyone could look at the transcripts and know it was me (not that I lied or anything, it's just very embarrassing).

Upshot is - they seem to have backed off. They were only calling every other day, with the guy calling up to 5 times a day (only on a weds though), and the others just once a day.

Hopefully that will be that, and when I manage to go BR, it will be a full and final end to it.

RAS

Pixie

have you written to them telling them that you want them to communicate by letter?

If so, continued phone calls constitute haressment and you should report them to Trading Standards and the Financial Ombudsman