Calls from Creditors!

TWINKLE

DarkConvict wrote: »

Hi Twinkle,

I thought you had already sent the harassment letter, but i guess not.

Give this post a read (in full) - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11571485&postcount=4

It details the letters to send to stop them calling and have your phone number removed, so they have to write to you. If they fail to do so they are in breach of data protection by not removing your details, and OFT guidelines by not contacting the debtor as they have requested.

Jon

Thanks DC - I will send this letter today. They have been phoning all weekend - didn't even take the day off yesterday! I would understand if I had just completely ignored them, but I have written them 2 letters and sent e-mails also stating that this account will be up-to-date in full by early December and the reasons why....I will let you know how I get on with the harrassment letter.

TWINKLE

DVardysShadow wrote: »

You are not obliged to take telephone calls from anyone. You can insist that they deal with you in writing. If you have debt issues, you may feel quite low because of it, but speaking as a solvent person, the people who I think are the lowest are those who take jobs harrassing people in debt by telephone.

I agree DV - I certainly couldn't do a job like that and sleep in my bed at night.

I am sending a harrassment letter today!

TWINKLE

chanz4 wrote: »

but if companys didnt have these people, no one would ever pay.

I can see where you're coming from Chanz, but to harrass someone who has promptly written to them twice explaining the reasons for non-payment for the first time ever I feel is unfair. The circumstances which I found myself in where unfortunate, but I have always made paying my bills a priority. Only is extreme circumstances can I understand this tactic of getting money out of customers.

TWINKLE

yellowduck wrote: »

don't agree, in my case I'd be happy to pay if I was well enough to work and actually earn some money. Last time I was out of work and ill these sorts of phone calls and nasty letters used to have me in tears (til I found this fab site!). I fail to undersand how harassing and threatening a person who is exisiting on state benefit is going to make them suddenly magic up the money!!. Of course there are those who evade\avoid\fiddle (MP's anyone?) their financial obligations and resposibilities but imo these type of phone calls simply cause additional stress.

Hi Yellowduck - I agree with you, these types of phonecalls make you feel quite low and as if you're a criminal. Fortunately, I have worked my finances out to the last penny until the end of December and was in control to be able to write worth exact dates and amounts of when I would be bringing my account up-to-date. If I answered a phonecall from them I may be pressured into paying more than I should be. I wonder do these people actually enjoy what they're doing?

TWINKLE

costapkt wrote: »

Who wants to pay these scum anything ? As for calling them people.

Hi costapkt - if I seen an advertisement for one of those jobs I would run a mile. Do you think it takes a certain type of person to do the threatening phone calls job?

TWINKLE

DarkConvict wrote: »

Agreed, debt companies exist because the creditor has lost hope in getting paid, so sell it on and receive some money for that. Debt companies then try and profit by going after the full amount.
DCAs probably are more effective, but are also walking in a very grey if not black area in how they go about it, that is why OFT has launched a 12 month investigation into them.

I would be interesting to see what comes out of the investigation!

Nick99

My advice is never, ever, talk to anybody on the phone. After all, would you trust them to record accurately anything you did offer?

Just put the phone down; make them write.

And don't believe anything Barclaycard say! They tried to claim my mother (93 years old) owed them £2500 even though she couldn't even remember ever having had a card and they pestered her too with aggressive phone calls. They refused to tell me what the alleged debt related to, saying if I didn't like it I could complain to the police! Finally settled it by offering them £25 or a court date with all the local press there.

Why spoil your day by wasting it talking to foul people?

sidsmum

I used to belong to a record club which billed me frequently for stuff I wouldn't have touched with a bargepole. Usually a letter stopped it, but I ended leaving the record club as soon as I could. I think they still tried it on.

On the other side, it used to be my job to telephone companies which hadn't paid my employers so I can see the other side (a bit). The tendency is to pester people who've offered to pay until some money comes through. Once you've paid something, you can take those calls and gleefully inform them of the fact. Sometimes money isn't picked up on bank statements, etc., and until the payer tells the creditor it can remain in limbo.. But I would write when you pay and inform them that the payment's been made.

timmmers

chanz4 wrote: »

but if companys didnt have these people, no one would ever pay.

To be honest, if someone sensible ran a DCA they could make a nice amount of money just by being decent with folk.

They buy debts for a tiny % on the pound, so imagine if they contacted the debtor and said "Hi, we just bought your debt. You owed xxxbank 2000 quid, but as we bought the debt for much less we won't ask for that, we would like to help you pay us 500 in installments that you can afford, or you can pay 400 now and be rid of the debt completely."

If they didn't scare the willies out of people they wouldn't hide and the profits made would be fine compared with not getting anything from people as often happens now.

t

DarkConvict

Good idea timmmers, however there is one flaw.

The DCAs don't get to choose the debts, they might well be sold debts are unenforceable or statute barred, as such they can't or shouldn't make any profit from this debts, they only make a loss. I think they find it almost 'necessary' to bully people to pay and make a big profit just to cover all the other losses they make on 'bad' debts they now own.