New to forum, advice needed

ejb_2

I have a debt management programme since late 2008 with Abacus, who are dealing with 3 creditors on behalf; I am paying £200 a month, which Abacus take £35 of and divide with remaining money between the 3 creditors based on what I owe.

However in the last couple of days DLC have contacted me to ask about the changes to my current situation; I have recently changed my car to try and decrease my outgoings (loan is cheaper, tax/petrol is also cheaper than previous vehicle). The lady I spoke to was initialy VERY aggressive and wanted to know she should hold off the interest and charges when it appeared to be that I was spending money on a new car and not paying my creditors!

It really shook me and I explained the reasons why I had done this. She seem to except this but probed about the amount of my previous car loan and the amount of this 1, she seemed to have a lot of information, which concerns me!!!!!

Because of this, she pushed me to increase my payments, by also threatening me with securing the debt to my home, which she also questionned quite intensely - informing me that I was sayhing my mortgage payment was £450 a month, but that there was no mortgage on the property!!! She then told me that she could do a land register search on my property to confirm I was telling the truth!

Now I know she must hear all types of stories, however I am not 1 of those people who has hidden from the debt and when requested has provided detailed information on my financial circumstances and have increased my payments on 3 seperate occasions since entering into this agreement to try and appease the situation I am in.

I have agreed to make this payment on a monthly basis directly to them, rather than using Abacus and have to call to pay this over the phone.

I am just looking to hear from anyone else who has experienced a similar thing and I suppose to put my mind at ease that I am doing the right thing. You do hear all sorts of things about DCA's pressuring you for payments, but can they do this, when you have shown a committment to pay every month and have increased your payments??

Any advice anyone can give me would be really helpful and I would be extremely grateful

Hannah_10

THE CALLER FROM DLC WAS LYING!

Am much too cross to put a coherant detailled answer right now, will come back to this, if someone else doesn't make the same points in the mean time.

SHE is the exact reason the Golden Rule is "everything in writing". Doesn't it just make your heart sing that she got paid a nice little cash bonus for that too. :mad:

tealady

Hi
Ditch the fee paying company and go with a free one, that will save you a little bit each monthe. Then post a full SOA (please make sure you include everyting) then the peeps on here can give you the benefit of their collective millennia of experience.
Good luck

Jacey53

I'd complain to the company. In writing. Copy to trading standards. Doesn't matter if you are in debt or not, you are entitled to be treated with courtesy.
I had some jumped-up little boy from my bank talk to me as though i was an idiot so I wrote to the complaints department and got a letter of apology and an assurance that the person was being retrained.
I wouldn't pay them anything agreed under these circumstances as you were bullied. Also agree with the earlier posters - go to CCCS or another non-fee debt management company.

Marisco

Hannah is right - never ever speak or agree to anything on the phone, put everything in writing, and insist on them writing to you. You do not have to speak to them, just tell them to write to you. They have no right to bully you either (very difficult in writing;)) Ditch the fee paying DMP and go with the free one, or do your own. Some creditors will "try it on" but just insist you are paying what you can afford - and stick to your guns!!! They could go to court for a CCJ, but the court will not make you pay more than you can afford, the court will see that you are making an effort, and will take a dim view of the DCA's wasting time!!! If they keep phoning you, there is a template letter here somewhere (someone will know where it is:o) that you can send for them to stop hassling you. Good luck.