Albion Collections Threat

happymoneysaver79

Hi!
We have had a plan with cccs up and running for a few months now and all our creditors have seemed to be ok apart from Halifax. The debt was passed to their in house collections team, Albion and for the last few weeks we have has letters from them with ever increasing threats. The one that arrived today says -Our client has told us that you still have not paid the amount you owe on your account. This situation cannot continue. Unless you pay the full amount now, our client will either start legal action or arrange for debt collectors to visit your property to collect the debt.
I am really worried about this now.
I have not contacted cccs about the letters as I know Halifax have been getting their money as it shows on my statements.
I am just wondering what I need to do.
Please can anyone advise, x

DarkConvict

You can prevent the door step visit - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=33792303&postcount=38

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=33792303&postcount=38

Debt collection visits
2.11 Those visiting debtors must not act in an unclear or threatening manner.
2.12 Examples of unfair practices are:
a. not making the purpose of any proposed visit clear, for example, merely
stating that collectors or field agents will call is not sufficient
g. not giving adequate notice of the time and date of a visit2

hullight

Halifax don't seem to be members of the CSA but have you still asked for 30 days breathing space to get in touch with CCCS?

They are welcome to go for legal action if they want but they will only do this as a last resort - they have to exhaust all other avenues of collection first.

mr.ton

Standard threatogram from these cretins, not worth the paper its printed on.
They have to make an appointment with you to turn up & your within your rights to not make one with them.
Report Halifax to the ombudsman service if you wish & report these rogues to the OFT & trading standards.
Its not for them to say things like "this cannot continue" - you (or a county court) will be the judge of that, not them.

hullight

mr.ton wrote: »

Standard threatogram from these cretins, not worth the paper its printed on.
They have to make an appointment with you to turn up & your within your rights to not make one with them.
Report Halifax to the ombudsman service if you wish & report these rogues to the OFT & trading standards.
Its not for them to say things like "this cannot continue" - you (or a county court) will be the judge of that, not them.

The Financial Ombudsman Service will not investigate a complaint until the OP has exhausted the complaints process with Halifax, it's a waste of a stamp until then.

mr.ton

hullight wrote: »

The Financial Ombudsman Service will not investigate a complaint until the OP has exhausted the complaints process with Halifax, it's a waste of a stamp until then.

No need for a stamp - you simply go into any Halifax branch & use their phones to contact the FO

the_insider

It's possible that although CCCS are making payments to the account, at one point or another the agreement that they made on your behalf has broken (probably due to a payment being late). Your best bet, as always in these circumstances, is just to face up to the situation and speak to the collectors. Explain that you are with CCCS, they might as you to send them some updated income and expenditure details and then will put another arrangement on for you.

magpiecottage

mr.ton wrote: »

No need for a stamp - you simply go into any Halifax branch & use their phones to contact the FO

Wrong - to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service you must fill in and snail mail its form which is in MS Word format here or pdf format here.

Halifax is under no obligation whatsoever to provide you with a telephone to call the FOS although if you want to call, the number is 0300 123 9 123. If cost is an issue, they will call you back if you ask.

That doesn't change the fact that Hullight is right - the Halifax must first be given an opportunity to put things right and has up to 8 weeks from when it receives your complaint.

You can, though, make the complaint at any branch of Halifax or Bank of Scotland.