Phone-calls at work

Angie-Pangie

Hi all,

I've just pulled my head out of the sand and confronted my problems and have just signed up for a DMP.

I understand that I have to wait for my pack to arrive which will have all details I will need to send to creditors but I'm concerned about one of the credit card companies as they have my work phone number!!! Once they realise that I will be on a DMP, I just know the calls are going to start and the last thing I want is work finding out - is there anything I can do??

The lady at CCCS said to write to them requesting they remove my telephone number but is there a template letter I could use, or is it simply a case of sending a letter requesting they remove it?

I'm in a panic more about this than the whole bleedin' problem I'm in!!!

Thanks in advance
Angie x

ad1jnl

Angie,

Do you do online banking. I'm just in the process of starting a DMP myself and managed to change my contact details online so that they only have my home number. I'm with A & L and HSBC but would imagine that other banks have similar systems

All the best
Jon

kimmi_b

Hi Angie

There is a template letter somewhere on this thread and I am sure someone will be along shortly with a link.

However you may want to also try logging into your online accounts for all your creditors (it's usually quite easy to set this up if you haven't already). I did this before embarking on my DMP and removed my phone number from my contact details for most. Where the phone number was mandatory, I put my home number in it's place (I work full-time so am rarely around to take calls during the day).

I've been on my DMP since last October and have not had one phone call from a creditor as yet - just receive correspondence through the mail.

Worth a shot to begin with, then if you start getting calls, fire off the template letter

Good luck!

Angie-Pangie

Thanks for that, I never thought of that
I'm a bit scared by it all to be honest. After so long trying my hardest to ignore it, to actually confronting it and starting to do something about it is frightening.
From doing by list of in/outgoings to calling CCCS and clicking on that DMP button, I haven't stopped shaking - mind you I don't know if that is because of the enormity of it all or because I'm freezing cold!!!!

Thanks again for the advice, will do that straight away

Angie x

Voyager2002

The code of practice for lenders does state that they should not call you at work. So if they do so, just state calmly that you cannot talk to them from work, but agree a time when they can call you at home.

diamondgal007

Don't worry AP, we are all here to support you. If you do not want to talk to them at work, simply put the phone down, after saying it is not convenient to talk to them, and that you request that the work number be removed as a contact detail, then back this up in writing. I did this and it seems to have done the trick.

You have done brilliantly so far, if you get despondent, just post on here, and we will do our best to raise your spirits! xxx

Merlinexcalibur

Voyager 2002 has it mostly right. I wouldn't even tell them to contact you at home. You have UTTERLY no legal protection from anything from a telephone call.

I would now report this to the OFT and FOS - Financial Ombudsman as this is unfair practice, not to mention harassment. For example, no one at your work place has the right to know your business eg Data Protection Act.

The lady at CCCS said to write to them requesting they remove my telephone number but is there a template letter I could use, or is it simply a case of sending a letter requesting they remove it?

Yes, CCCS advised me this one year ago. I have lost the letter unfortunately. What you need to do is tell them you will only communicate in writing only, and that is to be your point of communication. They have a time limit in which to comply with your request for removing your phone number. If they fail to comply it is an offense under the Data Protection Act to ignore your reasonable request to have your phone number removed and they can be fined under legistlation if they fail. Sadly, I am afraid, that they will phone regardless as many thousands have had the same thing.

However, to protect yourself you would need to also complain to either or both of the organisations I mentioned above. That way, they can investigate your complaint and they will also contact the company concerned to get them to respond, investigate.

So, to reiterate, write and instruct them to only communicate in writing from now on and make the perfectly reasonable request that your phone number is removed. Do not do this on the phone, they will not have a clue what you are talking about because they aren't trained in anything beyond reading off a script. Hence writing is important in all matters dealing with a DCA or a creditor. Phone calls are also not legal proof of anything. Letters are, because they can physically be produced.

The advice I provide to you above was given to me from variety of sources and now I am passing it on to people at the start of their debt troubles.

I would send them this letter in the first instance, to give them formal notice to stop calling you. This is for legal purposes eg formal contact requesting cessation of communication by phone, letter only and can be produced at a later stage to show what you have done to reasonably give notice that you wanted only contact in writing. Also, that way you can also provide proof to someone like OFT that they ignored your request, harassment etc.

Your Street
Town
City
Postcode
DATE HERE
Company Name
Road
Town
City / County
Postcode


Dear Sirs
Harassment by telephone

Account Number: XXXXXXX
I am writing in relation to the quantity and frequency of telephone calls that I have received from your company, which I deem to be personally harassing.
I have verbally requested that these stop, but I am still receiving calls. (Delete if necessary)
I now require all further correspondence from your company to be made in writing only.
I am of the view that your continued harassment of me by telephone puts you in breach of Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Communications Act (2003) s.127 and I will report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and The Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable to a substantial fine.
Be advised that any further telephone calls from your company will be recorded. (**Even if you don‘t yet have recording equipment!!**)

Yours faithfully,


[NAME HERE]

Merlinexcalibur

Found this letter which is the one to send if they continue to ignore your request, found it on MSE. I have removed a section of the letter, but obviously you'd need to alter some of it for your circumstances where applicable. Also, I would check out the OFT guidelines for fair debt collection practice applicable to creditors also.

Something along the lines of:

Quote:
Dear Sir / Madam,

Re accounts ref

I am writing to you to inform that I request all communications to me in writing. I do not want any further telephone calls made to me ( my mum).

To continue to contact me by telephone after I have requested you not to constitutes harassment. I require all future communications in writing for future Court use. Do not telephone me again – remove any telephone numbers you hold for me from your systems.

Your telephone calls are in breach of the Office of Fair Trading guidelines. If you continue with them after the receipt of this letter, an official complaint, together with a log recording the times and frequency will be passed both to that office and to Trading Standards, For your information, all telephone calls are taped.

This type of debt collection method is contrary to the ‘Administration of Justice Act 1970’. In that it is intended to cause alarm and distress to the recipient. Your methods will not be tolerated. A formal complaint to the relevant authorities will be made.

Take further notice that continued telephone calls after receipt of a request not to call may constitute a criminal offence under Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003. Continued phone calls may also constitute an offence under the Data Protection Act.

Communicate in writing and ONLY in writing. Your telephone calls will not be answered.

HOWEVER, CALLS WILL TRIGGER COMPLAINTS TO THE REGULATORY BODIES.

I trust I have made myself understood on this matter.

Yours,

Merlinexcalibur

Bumping for you.

Angie-Pangie

Thank you Merlinexcalibur vbmenu_register("postmenu_19927217", true); much appreciated.

I logged on to my credit card but there is no option to update/remove telephone number, so will try the letter(s) you have suggested, but I'm also prepared for the onslaught!!!

Angie x