Barclays Default for £85 - Help!

chris_m

Whilst, as others have said, the simplest solution would probably be to just pay the outstanding charges, I would also be playing merry hell with EDF.
It shouldn't matter whether or not the DD was cancelled (unlike a Standing Order, which the bank would have paid out, or tried to pay, automatically), they still shouldn't have been trying to claim on the DD if there was nothing owing.

tomodlin

I have complained to EDF, but everyone is passing the buck here (including me!).

I can see EDF's point though. And they have no bearing on the default - which was issued by barclays.

The dilemma I'm in is that Barclays refuse to talk about the case becasue they've passed it to Wescott - and Wescott can't remove the defualt because it was put there by Barclays.

I've no problem in paying the money (as mush as I hate paying bank charges), but I want to try and get the default removed as part of the payment conditions. It's the only leverage I have at the moment.

I think I'm going to write to Wescott and Barclays and see what happens. I'm hoping that common sense will previal and Barclays will see that penalising someone for 6 years over a genuine error, and such a small amnount, is punishment unfitting the crime.

chris_m

tomodlin wrote: »

I can see EDF's point though. And they have no bearing on the default - which was issued by barclays.

True, they have no direct bearing on the default - but what is their point? That it's perfectly OK to try and take money that's not due to them? If the DDs had gone through OK would you have been happy to accept that they'd got money that wasn't owed? Surely the reason that you got charges in the first place is down to them trying to take the DDs when they shouldn't have?

tomodlin

They say that the Direct Debits are automated and it's up to me to cancel them. Is this not correct?

Also, even if I got them to accept full blame, how would this resolve the default? They will probably refund the money charged - but it's not the money that concerns me overly, its the defualt.

It's just so frustrating that all of this has happened remotely without any human interaction. I can't see how it is just for any company to whack on a default for £85. There was plenty in the current account to see that I could afford this payment. Surely someone, somewhere must have thought "Before we put on a default for £85, lets just call him to get a payment".

I think I'll try a 3 pronged attack here on all companys concerned and see what any of them comes up with.

If I succeed, I'll let post the results here. I can't be the only person this had happened to.

never-in-doubt

tomodlin wrote: »

Hi Never in doubt,

Thank you very much for the template. The problem is that Barclays refuse to discuss the account and say all dealing has to be through Wescott.

And Wescott say that they have no power to remove the default as it was issued by Barclays.

Should I send this letter to Barclays or Wescott? Or both?

One other thing, the amount is completely made up of charges and I am willing to pay all of it to clear the default. Should I say this, or start off at 50% so that I can increase the offer and have another bash? That would seem the most sensible route perhaps?

You should be claiming charges back - not paying it or owt! So head to the charges reclaim area and then fight the default later, after they have refunded the charges to lower the debt.

never-in-doubt

tomodlin wrote: »

Who would you suggest I write to?

Sorry missed this in last post - been away thus the slow reply - send to the person who owns the debt, Wescott and then you copy Barclays in. If Wescott write back arguing then you need to insist they provide it or you start to question the assignment of the debt, they take legal ownership and if they do not have a CCA then the debt is unenforceable.

Dont get drawn into the arguments from others - it isn't worth it.

Davidmc1948

bingy_burge wrote: »

Pay it and accept the lesson learned.

Friend of mine went traveling 6 months and didn't manage to default on any of his many credit cards or bank accounts.

So its your fault! Not barclays you can blame edf and them if you want to but you didnt cancel the d/d and it made clear the time frames when paying bills on d/d.

The you can add comments next to the default on your files but it won't stop some prime lenders auto declining you for 6 years.

You may think he is a friend or you may be stirring the preverbial either way stupid post:T

never-in-doubt

Davidmc1948 wrote: »

You may think he is a friend or you may be stirring the preverbial either way stupid post:T

He makes a habit of posting junk :rolleyes:

Lokolo

By the way Tom if you make mistakes, get chagred for it, and want sympathy/ways to not pay the money back, you may want to go to Debt Free Wannabe board or Reclaims board as they are more suited towards your needs.

The Budgeting & Bank Accounts sections is for people that have not done anything wrong.

tomodlin

Ha! You lot just can't leave it be can you?

I don't want a way not to pay the money back. I want to pay the money back. I would have paid it straight away had I known it was there. I don't want sympathy either. I wanted advice! I've never been in debt. I just think it's stupid to whack a default on someone for £85. It's like banging your head against a stupid wall in here.

Never- in -doubt,

Thanks for that info. Have posted off the letters this morning. I've no doubt it will take some time to resolve, but hopefully less than 6 years!