WARNING DO NOT USE 'Debt Line'

simonb63

I recently approached a company called 'Debt Line' to obtain a debt management package to help get me out of my debt

I gave them my bank details and agreed in principal to go ahead with a plan but not before they where in receipt of a signed agreement from me.

Before I had decided to proceed and before I had signed or sent the agreement they have taken money from my account without authorisation - more than the provisionly agreed amount which left me pennyless.

I contacted them demanding my money refunded immediately as I hadn't now got enough money to get to work the next day - they agreed to repay the amount that was above the said agreed amount and that it would appear in my account the next day and the rest I would have to fax a written request for a refund

2 days later - still no money in my account. I contacted them again to demand my refund and to get a progress report on the remaining amount where I was told the first amount was refunded by bacs which can take 3 to 10 days
which was not the origanal information
And that I or they could not speak to any one in the refund depatrment for a progress report as the refund department do not have phones!!!

I then demanded to speak to a superior where I was then told that there wasn't any body superior there and had my phone call terminated.

I phoned back got through to someone else explaining the situation Debt line had put me in which was preventing me from working and making my predicament worse and again asked to speak to a manager or someone superior where after being kept on hold was then told again that there was no one else I could speak to and that nothing more could be done and again had my phone call terminated.

please let me know if any else has had similar experience with Debt Line

RAS

Ring Trading Standards and complain. Hopefully a call will get your money released.

Head-Out-Of-Sand

Wow, that's terrible, hope you get it sorted. I agree with RAS, give Trading Standards a bell.

poorandindenial

Hi Simon

This will be a bit 'after the horse has bolted' but only get debt help from these free to use organisations:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help

What they have done is frankly outrageous. Get on to Trading Standards ASAP.

All the best with getting this sorted, if you want to post a bit more about your situation we may be able to help too

poorandindenial

simonb63 wrote: »

I gave them my bank details and agreed in principal to go ahead with a plan but not before they where in receipt of a signed agreement from me.

Can you check your bank statement and see if they took money as a 'direct debit'?? If so your bank should be able to help you get the money back under the DD guarantee.

http://www.bacs.co.uk/BACS/Consumers/Direct+Debit/Your+rights/

simonb63

Thanks for all your replies and advice I will let you know the out come .

Debt_Line

Hi Simon63,

I am an Operations Director for Debt Line. After reading your post I am deeply sorry for the experience that you have received. I would personally like to look into your situation further as we have compliance rules and regulations to make sure that no.1 our clients are not promised something that we as a company can not deliver; and no 2. the more serious matter of taking funds from a perspective clients account without their permission.

Under the rules of this forum I cant promote our company, however I would like to say that we offer a sound and constructive service to thousands of our clients, I strongly believe that we help people struggling in financial difficulty every day.

I personally strive to make sure that we offer the best service possible, and welcome any feedback that will enable the company and my self the chance to improve our service and procedures.

If you or any other client who would like to contact me directly my email address is [EMAIL="trevor.franckeiss@rgroup.co.uk"]trevor.franckeiss@rgroup.co.uk[/EMAIL]

madmalteaser

Wowza, that's atrocious! I hope you manage to get this situation sorted x

HHH_2

If debt line is a fee paying company perhaps the best thing the nice mr franceiss could do is tell you to use one of the debt charities like CCCS or payplan they will do everything his company will do for free!!

Debt_Line

HHH is right, there are free charity’s out there that will offer to support you in dealing with your debts. For some people these are the right option to help you, however it depends on who you are.

The free services will offer you support and advice, they will give you the template to set up your own Debt Management Plan, but ultimately it will be down to you to deal with your creditors in setting up the plan, negotiating and making arrangements. If this is what you want then this is the service for you.

What we do and the reason behind the fee is to simply take control for you, we will contact your creditors, we will do all the negotiations, and we will make all the arrangements. We will also offer you advice and support throughout your situation.

All in all it depends on the type of person you are, if are happy to deal with your creditors under circumstances were you owe them money then the free charity’s may well be your best option, however, if you don’t want to deal with your creditors, or you have tried and have failed or you simply don’t have the time, then a fee charging company such as Debt Line is the option for you.

I hope this helps those in two minds.

churchrat

Debt_Line wrote: »

Hi Simon63,

I am an Operations Director for Debt Line. After reading your post I am deeply sorry for the experience that you have received. I would personally like to look into your situation further as we have compliance rules and regulations to make sure that no.1 our clients are not promised something that we as a company can not deliver; and no 2. the more serious matter of taking funds from a perspective clients account without their permission.

Under the rules of this forum I cant promote our company, however I would like to say that we offer a sound and constructive service to thousands of our clients, I strongly believe that we help people struggling in financial difficulty every day.

I personally strive to make sure that we offer the best service possible, and welcome any feedback that will enable the company and my self the chance to improve our service and procedures.

If you or any other client who would like to contact me directly my email address is [EMAIL="trevor.franckeiss@rgroup.co.uk"]trevor.franckeiss@rgroup.co.uk[/EMAIL]

with regard to other would be customers--could you please post to PROMISE that this will not happen to anyone else????
ie you will not take money unless you have the customers express permission??
thankyou