Debt collection question!

supernoodles

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I'm just wondering...In the past when I have had no money whatsoever debt collection agencies have offered to clear a debt if i make a massively reduced payment. Like paying £380 to clear £710 worth of debt for example. But they always said it was a limited offer. If I phone them, now I have a job (and just got refunded £240.51 in PPI), can I phone them and ask for a similar reduction or will they just expect me to pay the whole amount? I don't want to throw all my money at them just to clear a debt, as I've still got very little money- it's just with the PPI and my wages I have several relatively small debts £200/£300 region), which, if they offered the same discount, I could clear quite quickly. Or if I phone them and tell them I have that sort of money will they just get more aggresive in their tactics?

GeorgeUK

Do any of these accounts have charges that you could claim back? If so i'd mention that to them in how you reached your settlement figure too. I would not speak to them on the phone - write to them stating that for a limited period you will be able to offer a "full and final" settlement of £x. There is a good letter available on the nationaldebtline site - just make sure you get confirmation in writing before sending payment and that it is not a partial settlement.

supernoodles

Thanks for the advice- I tend to find I can speak to the same company 3 or 4 times a day and each time they'll have no knowledge of any agreement I made in the other phone calls, and so I have to go through it all again.
I'll check that template letter, and have a crack at that.