Can they do this?

suzieq

I've received a letter from a debt collection agency, asking me for almost £300 for my home study course. :mad:

For whatever reason, 2 s/o payments for this didn't go out in Feb and March, and I received a letter informing me. I totally forgot about it as I had other things on my mind, and then received a final notice. I then sent a cheque for £79. Now this! I've spoken to the collection company, and they say that the finance company didn't receive the cheque, so I now have to pay this £295 - which I haven't got!

Is there anything I can do? Do they have to take what I can afford, or will they take me to court? I'm v. scared

Thanks

Suzie x

wigginsmum

Have you checked with your bank whether the cheque has been cashed yet?

suzieq

Yep, it wasn't. Stupidly, I didn't keep an eye on it, which I usually do, I just presumed it over and dealt with.

Decadent_Fool

Check with the debt collection agency - have they bought the debt ? If not, you may be able to try and sort something out to pay the original company.

If they have bought the debt, then the best thing you can do I think is pay it off as soon as possible. I know it hurts to give those &£&%$("£^'s money, but they'll not let go and the last thing you want is this debt escalating into something that will really hurt.

While not wanting to sound unsympathetic, being burnt by an expensive lesson like this is the best way to get to keep an eye on things in the future, and remember what needs to be done and when - it worked for me

Only my opinion, but hope it helps

suzieq

Yes, I asked them, they have bought the debt. OK well, if that's my only option, then fine. I'll just have to find the money. Can I offer them what I can afford? Do they have to take it?

Decadent_Fool

Grrr....damn them ! :mad: (Sorry, g/f has had loads of hassle off them, and they make my blood boil)

Anyway, on to something more constructive...this may not be your only option btw, others may have damn sight better advice than me

I know this is probably a waste of time, but have you tried talking to them to say how much you can afford a month ? It's probably not worth trying to get them to be sympathetic as they have ice water flowing through their veins, but be honest and see if they'll be nice about it and let you pay off a bit a month (watch for stupid rates of interest though). Throw yourself on their mercy, if they have any.

Otherwise, do you have access to an overdraft ? I know it sounds stupid recommending using an overdraft, but it's got to be better to get the agency's debt out of the way, as they may not be flexible at all and will be prone to escalate things in my experience. At least with an overdraft you have some flexibility, even if it means going without luxuries for a couple of months. PAY IT OFF PRONTO !!! That little bit of interest has got to be better than grief from the debt collectors.

Most importantly :grouphug: