DMP Mutual Support Thread (Part 6)

Triggles

We have been having a bear of a time with Santander and MBNA. MBNA is ringing constantly, even though they've been told in writing 3 times that we want contact in writing by post only and no phone calls. Apparently they have difficulties understanding this request, and we're going to have to send them the stern "back off" letter. Santander is sending us DAILY letters demanding we call them as the amount we're paying is not satisfactory, even though we've actually spoken to someone on the phone from Santander a couple weeks ago. Again, they have been told that the amount being paid is absolutely the highest we are able to pay, and they deem it unsatisfactory. I can understand they want more, but DAILY LETTERS?!?!! It all just seems a bit ridiculous. And we actually have a couple accounts with them in debt, and the letters are all about the one in which we have the lowest balance owed! Obviously calling them did not solve it, so I am just filing the letters in a file. I am not answering each letter - it's beyond silly.

scouselad1974

Triggles wrote: »

We have been having a bear of a time with Santander and MBNA. MBNA is ringing constantly, even though they've been told in writing 3 times that we want contact in writing by post only and no phone calls. Apparently they have difficulties understanding this request, and we're going to have to send them the stern "back off" letter. Santander is sending us DAILY letters demanding we call them as the amount we're paying is not satisfactory, even though we've actually spoken to someone on the phone from Santander a couple weeks ago. Again, they have been told that the amount being paid is absolutely the highest we are able to pay, and they deem it unsatisfactory. I can understand they want more, but DAILY LETTERS?!?!! It all just seems a bit ridiculous. And we actually have a couple accounts with them in debt, and the letters are all about the one in which we have the lowest balance owed! Obviously calling them did not solve it, so I am just filing the letters in a file. I am not answering each letter - it's beyond silly.

Hi

You will find that it may take a couple of months before things settle down and creditors accept your reduced repayments !

The letters you are receiving are probably computer generated and should eventually stop or at the least reduce.

In the meantime just carry on paying into your DMP, some creditors may pass your account to their in house DCA, and they will probably be a lot easier to deal with.

Regarding the telephone calls, I would explain your situation to each creditor who calls just the once, ask for the persons name and department etc and make a note of the call and that you have requested all contact to be made in writing only, if they continue to call send the harrasment letter and the other letter available here somewhere requesting removal of your personal details from their systems. If you have a spare £80 it would be worth investing in a Truecall device.

The best of luck, things will improve eventually.

stella63

Hi all!!! can someone give me a bit of advice please?? I'm not sure what I should do!
Barclays have passed my account on to debt managers ltd ( has anyone had any dealings with these??) They contacted me by phone, asking me to repay the debt in full by debit card which obviously I can't do otherwise I wouldn't be in this mess lol!! I told them I was with cccs, gave them my client number and said I couldn't make any payments except through them. They were ok with this and asked for cccs to send my budget etc, which I have asked them to do. Problem is now that debt managers are phoning and texting me, asking me to call them. Sould I phone ( I'm not too good on the phone and am scared I'll get railroaded into doing somthing I shouldn't), should I write to them explaining that I have requested cccs to send my information or should I just leave it to the cccs?? I don't want them to think I'm ignoring them but I'm really not sure what to do.
Thanks for your help xx

pure_dead_dopey

stella63 wrote: »

Hi all!!! can someone give me a bit of advice please?? I'm not sure what I should do!
Barclays have passed my account on to debt managers ltd ( has anyone had any dealings with these??) They contacted me by phone, asking me to repay the debt in full by debit card which obviously I can't do otherwise I wouldn't be in this mess lol!! I told them I was with cccs, gave them my client number and said I couldn't make any payments except through them. They were ok with this and asked for cccs to send my budget etc, which I have asked them to do. Problem is now that debt managers are phoning and texting me, asking me to call them. Sould I phone ( I'm not too good on the phone and am scared I'll get railroaded into doing somthing I shouldn't), should I write to them explaining that I have requested cccs to send my information or should I just leave it to the cccs?? I don't want them to think I'm ignoring them but I'm really not sure what to do.
Thanks for your help xx

Hi Stella

I personally would probably phone one more time and give them the CCCS facts but if it worries you then I would write, telling them that you are with CCCS and giving them your number and confirm that CCCS have sent all the details to them, I would also add that you want to deal in writing only and you are giving them notice of this. Make sure you record it at the PO and check that it was delivered. Hopefully, once they receive the CCCS stuff (which CCCS send instantaneously and electronically) they will calm down and become more reasonable. They are just trying to get you to pay more with all these phone calls, just make sure you don't. Good luck

stella63

Thanks pure dead dopey!!

All the phone calls had stopped from creditors and I was just starting to relax a bit then here we go again !!! I think I will write, I'm a complete nervous wreck about all of this and last time I spoke to them I nearly burst into tears, I'm just nervous that they'll take advatage of me being weak and feeble lol!!!
Thanks for your advice, I always come off here feeling better,
take care xx

cocker100

stella63 wrote: »

Hi all!!! can someone give me a bit of advice please?? I'm not sure what I should do!
Barclays have passed my account on to debt managers ltd ( has anyone had any dealings with these??) They contacted me by phone, asking me to repay the debt in full by debit card which obviously I can't do otherwise I wouldn't be in this mess lol!! I told them I was with cccs, gave them my client number and said I couldn't make any payments except through them. They were ok with this and asked for cccs to send my budget etc, which I have asked them to do. Problem is now that debt managers are phoning and texting me, asking me to call them. Sould I phone ( I'm not too good on the phone and am scared I'll get railroaded into doing somthing I shouldn't), should I write to them explaining that I have requested cccs to send my information or should I just leave it to the cccs?? I don't want them to think I'm ignoring them but I'm really not sure what to do.
Thanks for your help xx

Hiya,

The golden rule is dont talk to them over the phone. They'll only insist you pay more and wont acknolwedge any previous communications.

DCA's are trained to get as much cash out of you as possible.

Have a look through the following thread and scroll down to post 7. There is a template letter in there for harrassment by telephone. Send them this by recorded delivery. If they still persist, send the following up letter. (I think both letters are in section 13 of post 7).

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2305463


Hope this helps.

Cocker:)

stella63

Thanks cocker,
That does help, she did try everything on the phone last time, can't my family lend me the money or can I pay in two installments - I wish!! She even asked for my debit card details to pay a deposit to hold the account for two weeks before they took further action!! Needless to say I didn't give them!!
Thanks for your advice xx

cocker100

stella63 wrote: »

Thanks cocker,
That does help, she did try everything on the phone last time, can't my family lend me the money or can I pay in two installments

Ooh!!! Naughty Naughty!!!

Blantent breaking of OFT's guidelines on debt collection!

They're not allowed to ask you to borrow money off other people or pay back in unreasonably high installments.

A DCA tried this on with me when I first started my DMP in Oct 07. I pointed it out to them in a complaint letter and they replied by asking me to quote which legislation I was refering to.

I replied again with a full breakdown of each OFT guideline they had breached, including sub sections!!!:rotfl:

Guess what? They never tried any more after that and accepted the DMP payment!!!;)

You've just got to know where to look for the relevent information!

Cocker:)

stella63

Thats great!!:T
Think I need to do some homework before contacting them again!!
Thanks for that

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Hi

Hope you get sorted Stella.

Update from me as things seem to be happening

Needed to take some control so went to post office and bought postal orders for each creditor so I was armed and ready.

Called Coop to see if I could switch my application to a cashminder to speed up the process. Seems I have been approved for the original and account should be open tomorrow. they can't give me account details over the phone so I have to wait until next week (will miss payday deadline for sure) or go in with ID tomorrow. Working all day but will do my utmost.

Post came, DMP agreement to sign, how efficient was that?!

Got a call from bank, earlier said cheque had bounced so they wanted to increase my limit (they removed and wouldn't reconsider before) and now want to 'help'. Luckily I recalled the wisdom from PDD and Ian and gave myself some space. THANK YOU x

Called CCCS, lovely people, each time. Had to call back three times as my head's not retaining much just now. Would clearly put DMP in jeopardy and also I was completely honest with the bank and they chose to say no before I decided to go ahead with this.

Returned DMP agreement with proof of income and bills.

Aiming for start date for DMP June 1st. Ian please could I now as for one of your special numbers?

Next steps
Make sure account set up, salary paid in.
Cancel DDs
Let creditors know and send postal orders

Thanks trillions everyone. I know the next few years and particularily the next few months will be tough but am looking forward to your company to continually pester, oops I mean ask questions and for advice. I hope in time I will be able to offer support to others too.

Happy Tuesday

HH xx