American Express/RMA Resolve - Help please!

cg42

Hi there

I'm new to this forum, so please bear with me!! But I have a bit of a query, which you can hopefully help with!

My partner had rather a large AMEX bill and debts mounted up which he could not keep to the repayments. He spoke with AMEX (The amount was approx £7000). They told him there was the "hard option" (Bailiffs!) or the "soft option" they would refer the debt to a section called RMA resolve, who would manage the debt, at a better interest rate. Left with little choice, and also assuming that RMA Resolve were an internal department, he took the "soft option". Rather stupidly, he did not question anyone further (to my frustration, he is no MSE!) -RMA contacted him and he agreed to pay £150 per month off the loan. No paperwork has ever been received regarding this..... Due to increased difficulties (he is waiting on a house sale to clear everything off), we contacted RMA resolve to see what could be done, and actually found out that of the £150 paid, only approx £30 repays the actual loan! He has tried contacting the company to clarify further what the situation is, with no luck...

To compound the situation, knowing he was on holiday and the repayments are made via direct debit, he called them up to inform and request that they either take payment early that month or take his debit card number so that they can take the money whilst he is uncontactable. They said it had to be the latter as they could not take payment early, but they never processed the payment... Now they have referred the debt to a credit solutions company down to missing a payment! He spoke to that company, who were surprised at what he told them, and advised him to put it all in writing - but also informed him that this rested with AMEX to proceed....

We are both very confused at where the money is going, who it is owed to and exactly how he is being ripped off. Can you help us with where do we start?!

Thanks!

liambaby

i can totally sympathise with you regarding this company RMA - my amex debt supposedly got passed to them where they added another 900 onto debt and have been phoning me ever sine with all kinds of threatening behaviour. I offered to pay £110 a month and they keep refusing it saying that unless I pay them £300 a month they going to bankrupt me. I cant see how its legally right for them to add £900 onto the debt???? They keep contradicting themselves saying they are acting on behalf of amex but also the debt has been passed onto them how can that be right. Also they advised me to get out a loan to pay off their debt or make myself bankrupt!! They are so rude and aggressive and dont listen to a word you say - i am sure its totally against trading standards they way they operate. You would think that a so called reputable comapny like amex would be more selective in who they use to collect their debts!

sorry I cant help in any way still trying to figure out what to do about them myself!

NickX

liambaby wrote: »

I offered to pay £110 a month and they keep refusing it saying that unless I pay them £300 a month they going to bankrupt me.

Believe me they do not want to bankrupt you, if you go bankrupt they will not get any of their debt back.

Typically DCAs (Debt Collection Agencies) use this type of threatening behaviour to get you to repay. It is underhand and its legality is questionable.

Provided you are seen to make some effort to repay the debt, which you clearly are by offering the £110 per month, the courts would be very unlikely to bankrupt you or send bailiffs in.

At the end of the day you can only pay what you can afford and £110 per month sounds reasonable. My advice would be to put this offer in writing and justify why this is all you can afford by enclosing a Statement of Affairs.

You have a right not to be harassed and can request that they keep all communications with you in writing. Should they continue to make multiple phone calls and issue threatening behaviour then this could be deemed as harassment and you could report them to Trading Standards, the Office of Fair Trading or even the local police.

Please don't let them get to you, they are just using bullyboy tactics to get you to pay them. Know your rights and don't let them intimidate you.

It may be an idea to post on the DFW (Debt Free Wannabee) Board here, there are lots of people who have beaten debts there with good advice. You could also speak with the CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) who offer a free service, will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf and have access to professional legal expertise if so required.

Good Luck.

liambaby

thank you so much for this advice - I will definately give this a try as they are hounding me night and day!

ICan'tStandIt

Amex don't tend to do fixed payment arrangements like some lenders and I think they only allow three months of non-payment before you're out the door.

Have you tried the CCCS ?