Massive debts

gargrave50

If I could get rid of the above, I think this would knock around £4900 off my total debt. Just realised there is only 5 months left to achieve this:eek:

All kicks up the butt and encouragement greatly received:p

gargrave50

Morning all, got an issue with a parking ticket. Submitted a new thread for feedback so if you get a chance to check it out and comment - I'd be grateful as I want to send it today.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1856001

I also received something from HBoS credit card today will post about it separately in a second.

gargrave50

I hate HBoS. They are now sending me weekly duplicate letters and choosing to ignore the letters I send to them - shocker eh?!

The letter they sent this morning really made me chuckle. Its regarding DH visa which we wrote offering reduced payments. They sent the usual duplicate letter saying they are sympathetic etc but please send a list of creditors etc which they have now received 3 times. Maybe they would like one for each member of staff.:rolleyes:

Under separate cover they write

"Under the consumer credit act 1974 we are obliged to give you this notice as you have failed to make the full minimum monthly payment in each of the last two months in relation to the credit card account shown above."

The funny bit isn't this of course, but the OFT fact sheet they enclose:p.

The advice states:

Don't ignore the problem - I haven't they are ignoring me!:rotfl::rotfl:

Contact the organisation you owe money to. Let them know you are having problems. - I have they are ignoring me.:rotfl::rotfl:

Get free help and advice - I have with National Debtline and CCCS;)

Pay priority debts first - I have:D

Think carefully before borrowing money to repay debts - not on your nelly:mad:

You may be able to ask a court for more time to repay a debt - I tried asking the bank.:rolleyes:

Keep copies of letters and emails in case these are needed by the court - I have, but HBoS keep writing asking me to phone them!:rolleyes:

Doing nothing could make things worse - I realise that and have not done nothing. Instead I am actively contributing to killing every tree in the northern hemisphere as I send copy after copy of letters.:eek:

Do you think I should make my own fact sheet for HBoS, advising them how best to deal with my debt?!:rolleyes:

gargrave50

Well, I've drafted a response to HBoS and plan to write to the ombudsman and the OFT providing copies of all correspondence sent to and received from HBoS. Let me know what you think of this - I'm sick of sending nice letters.

Dear Sirs,

Card number XXXX

I am today in receipt of your notice of arrears dated 23rd July 2009. It is both frustrating and irritating for my correspondence to be continually ignored by Bank of Scotland, and yet you continue to send to me duplicate requests for information you have clearly received (sent by Recorded Delivery noted to be received and signed for).

I am particularly interested by the Office of Fair Trading fact sheet you enclose with your letter, and wish to draw you attention to the fact that I have in fact followed all of their advice.

• Don’t ignore the problem – I am not. I wrote to you on 1st July 2009 advising you of a change in our financial circumstances. Bank of Scotland are, however ignoring me.
• Contact the organisation you owe money to, let them know you are having problems – I have. I corresponded with you on 1st July, 9th July, 20th July, 27th July and again today. Each time enclosing copies of earlier correspondence which you have chosen to ignore.
• Get free help and advice – I have. I contacted CCCS and National debtline for advice and assistance in calculating pro rata payments to all of our creditors.
• Pay priority debts first – I did this with the assistance of CCCS and National Debtline.
• Think carefully before borrowing money to repay debts – we have advised you that we are in financial hardship. You have not responded to our request for consideration under the hardship waiver for repayment of bank charges. We cannot afford to repay our current debt without increasing it further.
• You may be able to ask a court for more time to repay a debt – we have asked you for more time to pay by agreeing a repayment schedule. You have accepted our reduced payments, but refused to acknowledge this or to respond to our correspondence.
• Doing nothing could make things worse. We are aware of this, and have not ignored the situation, however Bank of Scotland have chosen to ignore us and continue to pile on charges and interest increasing our overall total debt.

I am disappointed by the response (or lack of) from Bank of Scotland, given the information we have provided regarding our situation. It is our intention to send copies of all our correspondence to the Office of Fair Trading and the Financial Ombudsman, as we are of the opinion that you are not “treating customers fairly”.

I look forward to, but will not hold my breath, for your response.

Yours faithfully,

gargrave50

Am I able to write to the ombudsman and OFT given that I cannot reach a resolution with HBoS?

gargrave50

Anyone who has a minute to comment on my letter, or provide any advice about lodging a complaint with the FO or OFT I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

jen_a_c

Gargrave. Well done with the letter. IMHO it's just right. Make sure you enclose copies of all your previous correspondance too. You are right to be doing everything in writing and via recorded delivery as banks can all too easily deny telephone calls took place!

Good luck with getting it resolved.

When do you start your new job, have you budgeted for any start-up costs, like finding accommodation?

gargrave50

Hi Jen, hope I'm doing the right thing. Just emailed the ombudsman with all the correspondence attached too.

I start my new post in October. There are no start up costs as such because it is hospital accommodation and is paid directly from my salary. There are no transport costs as the accommodation is on site, so my only costs are travel to and from home. Think I'm going to manage

gargrave50

I've just CCA'd HBoS VISA:rolleyes:

gargrave50

jen_a_c wrote: »

You are right to be doing everything in writing and via recorded delivery as banks can all too easily deny telephone calls took place!

Poor Royal Mail - they get the blame of just about everything :rolleyes: