It's started - first phone call today - feeling scared

Cheeselady

We had our first phone call today from one of the credit card companies and even though we were expecting it, it still came as a bit of a shock, and they have said we will now get a phone call from them every day.

We will have another visit from our CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Advisor on Monday, after that visit the CAP DMP account should be opened, as we have already had a provisional payment plan done for us, and they will start sorting things out for us by contacting people to hopefully agree payments. We have already opened a new bank account and changed direct debts etc to the new account, so that's sorted.

Hubby told the credit card company who phoned today our CAP account number and details, but they said they can't contact CAP, CAP have to contact them, not sure if that is true or not, as CAP gave us the details so we could pass them on to anyone who called.

We are still very uncertain what will happen though, as DH's wages will drop in a couple of months as the new company isn't doing as well as expected, and then it will all have to be discussed again, so the situation is far from being sorted, and obviously we are worried about having to take the bankruptcy option, as hubby would lose his job if we had to do that, because of his position in the company.

Don't really know why I'm posting, just feel a bit like 'omg it's really happening' because of the first phone call today. Feeling a bit scared actually.

jayn_3

Hi
Hope you feel better for getting this down. I'm having CCCS help me sort my finances out. I had a problem initially with Barclaycard phoning me daily at one point. I as given the letter below to send by someone on these boards who repsonded to my post regarding this.

I have to say I never used it as I told them I was putting together a payment offer to them and I would be in touch within 2 weeks, (and I was) and would they please stop ringing me. And now its stopped. As you are already dealing with Christians against poverty, you might want to run it past them, but ask them to take your number off their records as they are harrassing you



Dear Sirs,

Account No: XXXXXXXX

I am writing in relation to the quantity and frequency of telephone calls that I have received from your company, which I deem to be personally harassing. I have verbally requested that these stop, but I am still receiving calls and I now require all further correspondence from your company to be made in writing only.

I am of the view that your continued harassment of me by telephone puts you in breach of Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997

If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Communications Act (2003) s.127 and I will report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and The Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable to a substantial fine.

Be advised that any further telephone calls from your company may be recorded and used in evidence and I expect this harassment to cease immediately.

Yours faithfully

Hope this helps. keep your chin up honey! There is lots of friendly and valuable support on these boards

Cheeselady

jayn wrote: »

Hi
Hope you feel better for getting this down. I'm having CCCS help me sort my finances out. I had a problem initially with Barclaycard phoning me daily at one point. I as given the letter below to send by someone on these boards who repsonded to my post regarding this.

I have to say I never used it as I told them I was putting together a payment offer to them and I would be in touch within 2 weeks, (and I was) and would they please stop ringing me. And now its stopped. As you are already dealing with Christians against poverty, you might want to run it past them, but ask them to take your number off their records as they are harrassing you



Dear Sirs,

Account No: XXXXXXXX

I am writing in relation to the quantity and frequency of telephone calls that I have received from your company, which I deem to be personally harassing. I have verbally requested that these stop, but I am still receiving calls and I now require all further correspondence from your company to be made in writing only.

I am of the view that your continued harassment of me by telephone puts you in breach of Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997

If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Communications Act (2003) s.127 and I will report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and The Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable to a substantial fine.

Be advised that any further telephone calls from your company may be recorded and used in evidence and I expect this harassment to cease immediately.

Yours faithfully

Hope this helps. keep your chin up honey! There is lots of friendly and valuable support on these boards

Thanks for you reply, and I appreciate the letter, I've copied it and will keep it to hand in case we need it. :T I've been reading these boards for a few weeks now, and they've been a great help, I think with just getting the first phone call it's hit home, even though it shouldn't really be a shock as we were expecting it to start.

wanttoseethelight

HI, just to add to the above, we sorted our debts out through a financial advisor as recommeded by the CAB. OUr advisor told us that all these phone callsa re illegal and HE got in touvh with everyone and quoted to above- it worked and they stopped. Being in debt knocks your confidence and I believe prevents your from sorting out things the way you normally would. For example, if you bought clothing which was damaged, you'd be eloquent enough to sort it and get a full refund. Debt is different, it changes us to dribbling scared wrecks- at least it did me. OUr CAB put us in touch with a finanacial advisor company- it was free and they handled everything. NOw we have an IVA in place (it was better than bankruptcy for us- not sure about your circumstances) and we get no post, no pone calls and manage our monthly payment well. There is a way out, you just need the right people working for you and it does take time, but take it from me, the sleep you get when its all sorted is wonderful! Good luck.......go see the CAB x

Cheeselady

wanttoseethelight wrote: »

HI, just to add to the above, we sorted our debts out through a financial advisor as recommeded by the CAB. OUr advisor told us that all these phone callsa re illegal and HE got in touvh with everyone and quoted to above- it worked and they stopped. Being in debt knocks your confidence and I believe prevents your from sorting out things the way you normally would. For example, if you bought clothing which was damaged, you'd be eloquent enough to sort it and get a full refund. Debt is different, it changes us to dribbling scared wrecks- at least it did me. OUr CAB put us in touch with a finanacial advisor company- it was free and they handled everything. NOw we have an IVA in place (it was better than bankruptcy for us- not sure about your circumstances) and we get no post, no pone calls and manage our monthly payment well. There is a way out, you just need the right people working for you and it does take time, but take it from me, the sleep you get when its all sorted is wonderful! Good luck.......go see the CAB x

You are so right, I've always been one to sort things out, but this is a different kettle of fish. Once we've seen the CAP Advisor on Monday hopefully things will start to move, that's what I'm hoping anyway. We can do the DMP for the first two months, then , well it's the unknown really, as we have no idea as to how much hubby's pay will be, so it's just a matter of taking one day at a time at the moment and hoping that the company improves in take up. Thanks for taking the time to write, I think I just need a bit of boosting at the mo, as I seem to have lost the Umph I had at the moment, hopefully tomorrow I'll feel a bit better and back into fighting mode!

cath74

hi
im a year in to a dmp i manage myself. When i received my 1st phone call i cried after it as they would not accept my offer. After awhile it gets eaiser although i have had to use that letter especiallly 4 mbna who some how managed to get hold of my mobile number. But i have changed my home number & only communicate with my creditors by letter as for mbna who still try to contact me throug my mobile ive blocked there various numbers & delete there txts & i will soon be changing that number to they will get the msg. But as your dmp is with CAP they should deal with most of this for you & you should only get the occassional call. Good luck with it all

MatyMoo

Have a look on this thread - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2532927 - I am sure you will find a letter that states you want all communication to be in writing.

That should stop the phone calls.

Cheeselady

Thanks all of you for the links and advice, I've printed those letters off in case we do need them. :T

Devils_Avocado

Cheeselady,

Just remember that these phone persons are only interested in getting money out of you. They are not remotely concerned as to your circumstances. They want you to feel scared, alone and helpless. Plus, they do this stuff all day and are skilled in making you feel angry and worthless. This, they believe, will motivate you into paying them something.

( I was brought up in a religious cult that uses the same tactics to keep it's members in line)

I wish you well!

DA

saltnvinegar

Hi Cheeselady

Don't just print them off, actually send them!

If you don't the phone calls will continue, and may even increase until your DMP is set up and things start to settle down.

Once they have got your letter then it puts you in a stronger position if they continue to call.

And a big well done for starting to get things sorted :T

SnV

Cheeselady wrote: »

Thanks all of you for the links and advice, I've printed those letters off in case we do need them. :T

eyeopener2

When I first started my DMP I put my mobile on silent and only answered calls from people I knew, I unplugged the house phone if things got too much and just generally ignored them. I made a complaint to Barclaycrad who were ringing me 9 or 10 times a day and that stopped as soon as the letter went in.

If you do pick up the phone or speak to them just repeat that you are on a DMP, your appointed third partys are CAP and they are dealing with your debts. You can hang up if you want if your not feeling strong enough to deal with them. I mean, what are they going to do to you? Come round and tell you off?

You have informed them in writing that you are on a DMP so you are keeping them abreast of the situation. You have fullfilled your first duty, your second duty is to pay back what you owe at a rate you can afford which is what CAP are helping you do.

Its not easy but it does get better, it really does. I haven't had anything now for 4 months from 95% of my creditors and the other one finally came on board a few weeks ago and have't heard a pip from them now either for a month or so.