DMP Mutual Support Thread - Part 7

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Ellieseleven wrote: »

Hi everyone,

We are experiencing problems with Mercers at the moment and they are threatening us with allsorts and we are not sure what we should do.

We are into month 4 of our DMP and most CC companies have accepted reduced payments but my OH owes Barclaycard approx 6k and we have been making reduced payments through the CCCS but they continue to ring everyday up to 18 times!

I have written to them to ask that everything is done in writing and OH has not answered the phone to them but they have totally ignored this and are threatening to send debt collectors to the house:eek:

I have explained that we are on a DMP and given them our reference number and the CCCS has re-sent our budget to them but this has not made any difference. Their letters sound as though we haven't made any payments and they are even offering pay one, get one free or pay two and get two free??


I'm even more confused than ever now after speaking to CCCS - they have advised us to speak to Mercers after I explained about the 18 calls in one day? They said that it might not be harrassment but they may just need something from us... yes, money that we haven't got. Are these calls considered harassment even though OH is not answering them?

I have explained to CCCS about the letters that we have sent to ask that everything be put in writing but was told that we should speak to them.

I then mentioned the debt collector that they are threatening to send round and was told that this may happen to discuss payment. When I said that I thought that they couldn't send anyone without invitation, she replied that they can send someone around to discuss payment


I'm really unsure what we should do next and any advice would be appreciated

Ellie xx

Oh Ellie you are having a rough ride with them aren't you? On the whole CCCS have been great but I do find it can vary in terms of support depending who you speak to. Also let's not forget although set up as a charity it's the banks that pay them!


Can I just check a few things?

Did you send the letters recorded delivery?

Has one gone to the chief executive?

Have you been clear about your expectation of a response?

Have you warned them you are to report them to in the OFT and information comissioner?

Have you considered reporting them. Their behaviour is outrageous.

Let us know how you get on and have a huge dodgy group hug for now :grouphug:

HHx

Ellieseleven

Hopelessly_Hopeful wrote: »

Oh Ellie you are having a rough ride with them aren't you? On the whole CCCS have been great but I do find it can vary in terms of support depending who you speak to. Also let's not forget although set up as a charity it's the banks that pay them!


Can I just check a few things?

Did you send the letters recorded delivery?
Yes, I sent the letters recorded delivery

Has one gone to the chief executive?
No

Have you been clear about your expectation of a response?
Yes, I said that I expected that all phone calls would stop and that communication should now be in writing

Have you warned them you are to report them to in the OFT and information comissioner?
Yes, I sent this letter yesterday

Have you considered reporting them. Their behaviour is outrageous.

Let us know how you get on and have a huge dodgy group hug for now :grouphug:

HHx

Thanks for the reply HH, yes, so far the CCCS have been very good but the person that I spoke to this morning seemed to go against everything that I have been advised on here.

I will wait to see what happens in response to our last letter

Thanks again

Ellie xx

ianmak

Ellieseleven wrote: »

Thanks for the reply HH, yes, so far the CCCS have been very good but the person that I spoke to this morning seemed to go against everything that I have been advised on here.

I will wait to see what happens in response to our last letter

Thanks again

Ellie xx

Do remember that some creditors ring using an automated system, hence the 18 calls in one day. It's not an actual person doing the ringing! I would speak to them and ask them to put a hold on the calls (explain - again that you are on a DMP), and if necessary get CCCS to resend the I&E.

Ellieseleven

Thanks Ian, I did ask CCCS to re-send the I&E and they confirmed this morning that it went to them on 18th November

newbeg

Hopelessly_Hopeful wrote: »

Hi Newbeg.

Welcome to the thread. Well done on taking the fist and crucial step. It will get easier. The next few weeks may be stormy but even then has to be a better situation than the alternative. Do come shout scream and laugh with us. As you say there's plenty of support and expertise around. They can't have what you don't have. Speak to them if you want to. Don't if you don't. Just be polite, telephone or letter, quote your CCCS letter and ask them to make contact as they are acting on your behalf.

What a great start you will have in 2011 knowing that your balances will soon be coming down and you will be well on your way to freedom, emotionally and physically.

Let us know how you get on

HHx

Thank you Hopelessly Hopeful

I've just finishing checking everything off and written the envelope, I thought I would log on here for a little inspiration, struggling to get myself to the post office to post it off!! was soooo glad to see someone had kindly given me some lovely words of encouragement, I definitely need it, thank you so much.
I guess Christmas may be a little stormy but as you say hopefully 2011 will give me a great start to my pathway of debt free living!!

Cheers :beer:

Hopelessly_Hopeful

Welcome Ellie. Fingers crossed it will stop very very soon

Ian I take onboard your point re automated but someone is responsible for saying harrass by automation. They are culpable!

Happy weekend everyone

HHx

Hopelessly_Hopeful

newbeg wrote: »

Thank you Hopelessly Hopeful

I've just finishing checking everything off and written the envelope, I thought I would log on here for a little inspiration, struggling to get myself to the post office to post it off!! was soooo glad to see someone had kindly given me some lovely words of encouragement, I definitely need it, thank you so much.
I guess Christmas may be a little stormy but as you say hopefully 2011 will give me a great start to my pathway of debt free living!!

Cheers :beer:

Cheers indeed! Now get them wellybobs on and stick it in the post so the journey can get to the next step. What a great start to the weekend. Well done. Look forward to hearing how you get on.

HHx

Twit_Head

Ellieseleven wrote: »

Hi everyone,

We are experiencing problems with Mercers at the moment and they are threatening us with allsorts and we are not sure what we should do.

We are into month 4 of our DMP and most CC companies have accepted reduced payments but my OH owes Barclaycard approx 6k and we have been making reduced payments through the CCCS but they continue to ring everyday up to 18 times!

I have written to them to ask that everything is done in writing and OH has not answered the phone to them but they have totally ignored this and are threatening to send debt collectors to the house:eek:

I have explained that we are on a DMP and given them our reference number and the CCCS has re-sent our budget to them but this has not made any difference. Their letters sound as though we haven't made any payments and they are even offering pay one, get one free or pay two and get two free??


I'm even more confused than ever now after speaking to CCCS - they have advised us to speak to Mercers after I explained about the 18 calls in one day? They said that it might not be harrassment but they may just need something from us... yes, money that we haven't got. Are these calls considered harassment even though OH is not answering them?

I have explained to CCCS about the letters that we have sent to ask that everything be put in writing but was told that we should speak to them.

I then mentioned the debt collector that they are threatening to send round and was told that this may happen to discuss payment. When I said that I thought that they couldn't send anyone without invitation, she replied that they can send someone around to discuss payment


I'm really unsure what we should do next and any advice would be appreciated

Ellie xx

My understanding has always been that debt collecters have a lot less rights than they like to threaten you with.
I hope you will find it is mostly bluster.
It's a pretty scary prospect but have a good read here: http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf
I very much doubt we'll get any of them around here at the moment. It was Day 10 of snow/ice today with temperatures of -15 degree last night :eek:
My goodness! I'm sure their beggings would just shrivel to away to nothing in this cold :rotfl:

'Twitty'

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Ellieseleven

My goodness! I'm sure their beggings would just shrivel to away to nothing in this cold :rotfl:

'Twitty'[/QUOTE]

Thank you, that has cheered me up!:rotfl: