Frightened about my future

mouseann

GeorgeUK wrote: »

I too was impressed with you 3dogs. I'd forgotten about that - it's why they send the cards - to panic you into calling them. Now you know why NID can spot those spelling mistakes quite quickly - it's the little changes that can make a big difference to a message.

Mouseann, when companies send these letters they don't often send people out. It can cost them a fair amount if they were to do that with all their customers. If they did send someone out, they have as much power as the paperboy - none. As mentioned, you can ask them to leave and if they refuse, they are trespassing and you can call the police to have them removed. Now that you have sent that letter though (hope the feet are better now), they shouldn't be sending anyone to see you.

I can see how much it panicked you, but once you are able to sit down and look at this calmly and rationally - if any debt collector came to your door, you can just got through a little routine.

Are you mouseann?
I am
I'm here to talk to you regarding a debt to unenforcablefools
I'm sorry, i have informed your company i will only communicate in writing on this matter.
Yes, but i'm here now and...
Look, i don't want to discuss this and i'm asking you to leave my property.
But...
If you don't leave i'll call the police to have you removed and charged with trespass.
You can't threaten me like this...
Do you have a legal right to be here?
A what?
I'll let the police explain it to you.

He walks off, tears running down his face and tail between his legs.
THE END

I know it's easy to just sit here and type this, but that is pretty much how any coversation you have should go. They are not court appointed bailiffs so have no legal reason to be there. If you don't want them there you can ask them to leave. If they refuse you call the police and tell them that there is a man loitering outside your house, you've asked him to leave but is refusing. You are an elderly woman, on her own - could they please send someone round to make him leave you alone. They probably wouldn't arrive with the siren blaring, but all you need to tell the officer is that you have asked the man to leave your premises and he is refusing. He has no legal right to be there and that is all you need to say.

If the officer is one of the more laid back type (and i've only seen this mentioned once on the site) and says something like 'he's just trying to do his job luv'. ask him if he is refusing to process an official complaint. That should sharpen both of them up quick smart.

Glad you have it back under control now, but if anything like this comes up again, it's important to realise exactly what your rights are. With this one after the letter Niddy got you to send, you should only need to deal with them in writing.

One thing i will mention, and yes i am getting waaaaay ahead of things here, is that even though the debts may all be unenforcable, some fools will try to pass the debts on to a DCA after a year or so or possibly even try to sell them on. A new DCA may send these letters and request payment but there are other letters you can send to get rid of them. The debt is in dispute and while this is the case, the creditor cannot pass the debt on to a 3rd party. I only bring this up because it is the same type of letter that you may get so don't get worked up about it if it does happen. You just send off a letter telling them of the dispute or if you do get a visitor, resist the temptation to grab hold of a rolling pin and just send him on his way as per the above scenario.

A long time ago i was going to mention lemon curd. How's that for a tangent

Thanks George,

I really appreciate - and will get ready to respond as per your suggestion. Even if they don't turn up on Friday - and I think I over-reacted when I read the card (probably as the bank intended!) - it is well to be prepared for when (if?) they eventually!

I am also trying to rehearse my "elderly person" appearance - even though Niddy says it doesn't make any differencer to the DCAs it may well influence the police! Trouble is, I am always being told I don't look my age (not boasting here - well, perhaps a little bit!) Funny thing, I was always very proud of this - now I want to look like an old woman! Mind you, given the state of my feet I am walking like one this morning - but I think is is much more due to the unespected exercise than my age!

One finaly question, lemon curd? Don't really get it - am I missing an "in-joke"?

mouseann

Morning everyone,

Had a really good night's sleep - which I didn't thin woul have been possible when the postman arrived! Mind you, it was only with the help of everyone here (especially Niddy and 3Dogs) that it was possible.

Am now going to attack the garden as I need to maintain the level of physical exertion.

Wonder what the postman will have for me today? Trouble is, my post doesn't arrive until 3:30!!!

pollycolly

Morning Everybody

Mouseann - you didn't overreact in my opinion, I think it was a perfectly natural reaction. No-one wants a visit from a debt collector and it has taught us all a very valuable lesson, that is that these letters/card thingies do exist and anyone who reads this thread would now read one of these very carefully indeed.

Sorry you had to get one in the first place but now we all know about it and what to do in the event. Bin it! And we know what to do in case a visit ever did happen but of course George is so right about the expense of sending someone out. Let's remember that our individual debts are actually drops in a very large ocean though of course it doesn't seem like that to us.

Hope your feet are recovered and I hope your car is ready Thurs. I too am going outside to garden. Thankfully it is much cooler here (Lancs).

elsie52

Morning Ann,

Think George may be referring to Lemon curd sandwiches.!!

Hope you have a more peaceful day today, although it is a learning curve for us all, i.e. what to do if ?????

I'm off work today, so its plenty of housework for me. Just had a coffee break, so its onwards and upwards.

Be back later.

mouseann

pollycolly wrote: »

Morning Everybody

Mouseann - you didn't overreact in my opinion, I think it was a perfectly natural reaction. No-one wants a visit from a debt collector and it has taught us all a very valuable lesson, that is that these letters/card thingies do exist and anyone who reads this thread would now read one of these very carefully indeed.

Sorry you had to get one in the first place but now we all know about it and what to do in the event. Bin it! And we know what to do in case a visit ever did happen but of course George is so right about the expense of sending someone out. Let's remember that our individual debts are actually drops in a very large ocean though of course it doesn't seem like that to us.

Hope your feet are recovered and I hope your car is ready Thurs. I too am going outside to garden. Thankfully it is much cooler here (Lancs).

Thanks Pollycolly,

Have been gardening but found a dead bird under a shrub and it took me ages o pick it up and put it in the bin! .

Sun is shining but it has lost the strength of yesterday.

And my feet still hurt like mad!!!

mouseann

elsie52 wrote: »

Morning Ann,

Think George may be referring to Lemon curd sandwiches.!!

Hope you have a more peaceful day today, although it is a learning curve for us all, i.e. what to do if ?????

I'm off work today, so its plenty of housework for me. Just had a coffee break, so its onwards and upwards.

Be back later.

Thanks Elsie,

Have come in from the garden for a coffee break - already!

Am now watching the State of Parliament - never seen it before and had no idea there was so much Pomp and Circumstance!

Even the crown has its own coach!

But we do this sort of thing very well in this country!

elsie52

I agree Ann......I know that a lot of people aren't really for Royalty.....but I do feel that we have a brilliant Queen who has worked and continues to work very hard. (I don't agree with all the Royal hangers on though). As you say, we do do these Ceremonial things really well, and long may our traditions coninue.

** Elsie gets off soap box and goes to make lunch **

mouseann

elsie52 wrote: »

I agree Ann......I know that a lot of people aren't really for Royalty.....but I do feel that we have a brilliant Queen who has worked and continues to work very hard. (I don't agree with all the Royal hangers on though). As you say, we do do these Ceremonial things really well, and long may our traditions coninue.

** Elsie gets off soap box and goes to make lunch **

I know Elsie,

I am not really a royalist at all but I do like watching the colourful occasons such as this.

And I agree about the Queen working hard. I was absolutely amazed at how she managed to get in and out of that coach - plus she negotiated stairs without having anything (like a rail) to hang on to! Don't think I m capable of this!

I'm with you re the hangers-on, as well. But at least when I read all about Fergie and her spending I don;t feel quite so bad!

maz1964

mouseann wrote: »

Thanks Niddy,

I do indeed feel better - and so relieved and grateful that you are batting for me!

Think I will use the strategy, as suggested by you, of "talking to them" via the letterbox - in other words, not opening the door at all! That is, if they turn up at all!

Anyway, I may well be out when they call - although I suspect they may hang around until I get back!

At least this will be good experience for anything else which crops up!

hiya Ann and everyone

hope the day is still sunny

when ive read back a few pages and got to this it made me recall the time i did get a visit from somone and i have a little porch and i shouted through the letterbox, it was funny as he was trying to say he didnt want to shout, ( ie maybe to get me to open the door or to intimidate me with not letting my neighbours hear) however i held firm shouted that i had written to the company and for him to get back to them as i have a dispute, (id not have my copy of my credit agreement yet) and had informed them to send all in writing, and for him to get off my property immediately as i had nothing further to say and then i shut the other door to my living room and off he goes,

looking back now i can laugh about it, although at the time i did panic a little but had taken advice and its knowing what powers these collectors DONT have that makes it better for us all

dont worry ive not had anymore visits and i made sure ive written that no visits are welcome and that all in writing, its working a treat

so good advice from all but i understand your worry and panic hoping you are okay now though, keep positive

have a fun day laters maz:)

mouseann

maz1964 wrote: »

hiya Ann and everyone

hope the day is still sunny

when ive read back a few pages and got to this it made me recall the time i did get a visit from somone and i have a little porch and i shouted through the letterbox, it was funny as he was trying to say he didnt want to shout, ( ie maybe to get me to open the door or to intimidate me with not letting my neighbours hear) however i held firm shouted that i had written to the company and for him to get back to them as i have a dispute, (id not have my copy of my credit agreement yet) and had informed them to send all in writing, and for him to get off my property immediately as i had nothing further to say and then i shut the other door to my living room and off he goes,

looking back now i can laugh about it, although at the time i did panic a little but had taken advice and its knowing what powers these collectors DONT have that makes it better for us all

dont worry ive not had anymore visits and i made sure ive written that no visits are welcome and that all in writing, its working a treat

so good advice from all but i understand your worry and panic hoping you are okay now though, keep positive

have a fun day laters maz:)

Thanks Maz,

Yes, it is still sunny here!

Thanks for the advice - if someone does turn up I am going to talk to them via the letterbox, as suggested. And point out to them that the account is subject to dispute!

However, now I am not sure whether anyone is going to appear! As I am sure you have already read I misinterpreted the wording of the card thing that I received and then panicked! However, as has also been pointed out - I think that my reaction was exactly what they wanted. Except I did not panic enough to ring the number - in big bold type on the card!

But, it is very reassuring to know that others have experienced these visitors and survived. As you say, what can they do? Apart from cause embarrassment - to themselves, as well!

Have a good day yourself!