Harrasment from DCA: Alliied International Credit (AIC)

looktothefuture

Would requesting the CCA honestly work?

Merlinexcalibur

Re the CCA? Is this for a bank loan or overdraft? I'll explain more when you reply.

AIC manager Mr Watson

Manager of what? Waffle? lol

As an aside, I've had this sort of thing happen before on another consumer forum, where I've posted then suddenly they are phoning me up. Are these coincidences ...

He asked if I was refusing to explore the possibilities of raising the funds and I said "of course I was... hello, I am in debt as it is and you want me to try and take out a loan from a family member or the bank - sorry mate but it ain't happening"! He once again threatened court action and I then put down the phone!

Make you laugh some of these people do. If anything, they are the ones preventing you from paying what you can actually afford. BTW, they are not allowed to harass you like this by suggesting you borrow from friends or family. It is covered under the OFT guidelines someone already told you about. Refinancing your debt is also another ploy they might use. Just to be aware of that because they do often try and trick you into agreeing by steering the conversation in certain directions.

blushred2

I had a terrible time dealing with AIC.
the nasty phone calls were unbelieveable.

In the end i dealt only with Karen Muir in their complaints dept.
I have her number still, if you need it.

Good luck

Merlinexcalibur

Anyway, got to go now. Didn't read your first post properly because was putting rice into to cook. Okay, so it was for a loan. I am sure they are covered by CCA, as clearly they are or do come under credit. Sorry for confusing you like that. My bad.:rolleyes:

Johnny_Chaos

The first thing you should say upon receipt of a call from a DCA that you are going to record the call. If you have a phone, or some other equipment, that will allow you to record calls, then do it. If you don't, then just bluff: say you're getting your tape recorder, go and make a nice cup of tea and a couple of biccies, and then pick up the phone, let them know you are aware of the relevant sections of the Administration of Justice Act, and say you are ready to talk.

They are likely to be careful about what they say, and how they say it to you.

If you find the conversation at all unsettling or threatening, calmly say you feel threatened and put down the phone. Nothing to stop you doing this.

Many people wonder: what constitutes a "threat"? Well, if you feel threatened, then you are being threatened.

I have heard so many stories about DCAs and banks' "collections teams" that I would urge people to use every trick in the book to make their jobs as difficult and fruitless as possible. Remember: the person phoning you probably loathes him or herself for having to do such a pitiable, unpleasant job. Be glad you're not them.

Johnny Chaos.

PS: I remember LloydsTSB phoning me about four years ago, putting on the squeeze, and I feigned a panic attack. I described how my chest felt tight, how I couldn't breathe, etc. You should have heard the numpty from the collections team panic as he thought he was giving someone a heart attack!

natters_2

Johnny_Chaos wrote: »

I remember LloydsTSB phoning me about four years ago, putting on the squeeze, and I feigned a panic attack. I described how my chest felt tight, how I couldn't breathe, etc. You should have heard the numpty from the collections team panic as he thought he was giving someone a heart attack!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: fantastic

natters_2

looktothefuture wrote: »

Would requesting the CCA honestly work?

As far as I am aware if they don't provide it on time then they are in default - you then don't have to pay them anything until the CCA is produced and even then have to take you to court to enforce it - they cannot sell it on either and all they can do is pass it back to the original creditor (others know more about this, so don't take my word for it, that what I have put is correct!)

Merlinexcalibur

they cannot sell it on either and all they can do is pass it back to the original creditor (others know more about this, so don't take my word for it, that what I have put is correct!)

Technically, yes. But they still do. What usually happens is it may get returned to the OC, then they will sell it to another DCA. And on it goes. In my experience they don't tend to take notice of what guidelines say. But they will cry otherwise, regardless. The fact someone harassess down the phone like as described just demonstrates how much they do not take notice. Cos they know on the phone they can get away with it more.

looktothefuture

So I've now sent a letter declining thier kind (??) offer of a 50% reduction but have increased the offer of the amount I am able to pay them per month. It's gone from £81.00 to £150.00 per month and included my new SOA showing where I have taken the extra £69 from - my grocery budget. It leaves me with £41 toward groceries per month and a nice little -£6 in overall... I have also requested my CCA... I have sent this letter registered mail.

As for the OFT. They too will be receiving a letter shortly with all correspondence I have sent Allied and nice big fat complaint letter!

Merlinexcalibur

So I've now sent a letter declining thier kind (??) offer of a 50% reduction but have increased the offer of the amount I am able to pay them per month.

Oh, yes. Had a few of those in the last two weeks from different DCAs. Got to wonder if they all come from the once place as they arrive same day. They seem to be timed to arrive just before you get confirmation of whether they have a CCA or not. Which turns up one day AFTER you receive their letter, giving you just one day - despite the date on them - just makes you wonder ...

where I have taken the extra £69 from - my grocery budget.

Just this. Are you sure you should have done this? Under budget guidelines there is a maximum/minimum allowance to set aside for groceries per month. They are usually prepared using BBA guidelines that are used by CCCS, CAB (mostly) and should be recognised throughout the debt collecting industry if they have that stamp on the bottom.

The other, reliance on auto generated letters which are sent after a certain time limit is reached. Never personalised letters. There again, that allows them more time to phone people if you see what I mean? See, their idea of 'time limits and reasonable time' is not the same as ours.

What annoys me about their letters is where they assume, imply you have 'agreed to' when patently you have not. But there again, it's all apparently worded to make it look as though you have done nothing to reach a payment arrangement with them. Especially when people have physically exhausted all avenues open to them. But, no, they try and shaft people into phoning them, instead. By refusing to acknowledge letters, I consider they are also obstructing a very reasonable negotiation process.