Need IMMEDIATE help with the CRS

Lemonsorbet_2

I have recently been contacted by a debt collection agency regarding me needing to repay the debt i had with the online payday company WONGA.com.
This agency call themselves the CRS (credit resourse sollutions) I have spoken to them on the phone about resolving my debt, and how much i'm able to pay back month by month. I have also written them a letter, including filling out a form they sent me by post.
since then i have had no reply from the letter, however they sent me the same letter again this morning (stating i have taken no action from their first letter) which is very annoying.

I have just now received a text message saying the following :

"FAO (my name) we are due to attend ur premises in the next 48 hours . To confirm a time please contact Donald on .... "

I'm so worried, and i cant get through to the number. Im not at home alot but live with my mother. Im panicing so much and could do with any advice on what to do and/or about this agency which have been no help whatsoever and are now sending someone to my house.

pleaseeee help! :(:(

Numpty_Monkey

First thing is stop worrying,
the chances of them turning up in the next 48 hours
are about the same as me winning tomorrows lottery
(I ain't bought a ticket;))

Send them this letter
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=23624477&postcount=4

Send the letter recorded delivery, do not sign it.

If you have made an offer that you can afford, not what they want
thengood

and NEVER EVER talk to them on the phone (they are trained bullies):mad:

Lemonsorbet_2

Thankyou so much. I am really worried:( ill do what you said.
do you not think i should at least ring them to make sure they dont come round to my house, I dont want my mum having to deal with it all or getting involved.

Numpty_Monkey

Don't ring them

Have a read of this
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

After a quick dusting off, of the cobwebs:o

a few sections say hello
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Physical/psychological harassment[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]2.6 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif](read all of that)[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]j. acting in a way likely to be publicly embarrassing to the debtor either[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]deliberately or through lack of care, for example, by not putting[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]correspondence in a sealed envelope and putting it through a letterbox,[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]thereby running the risk that it could be read by third parties.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Debt collection visits[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]2.11 Those visiting debtors must not act in an unclear or threatening manner.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]2.12 Examples of unfair practices are:[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]a. not making the purpose of any proposed visit clear, for example, merely[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]stating that collectors or field agents will call is not sufficient[/FONT]


HTH:A

have a read of the guidelines

Rememember you are now in control:T:j

sp1987

Don't ring anyone. They'll just be rude.

We had someone looking for someone with half (yes, not even all!) of my partner's name. I rang the company where a woman started trying to get me to pay the bill, lol. I said at least when you were 'fishing' with my partner (same surname different forename so Mr Smith but not Mr John Smith, though the name isn't so common as Smith) they were the correct gender, I'm quite obviously not the debtor. She was dreadfully monotone, boring and stupid. She told me if I/we/whoever (??) didn't pay the debt (bear in mind the debt of somebody who isn't me, isn't my partner, nor anyone he knows...but their names are half similar! Lol) it wouldn't just go away, lol. It was about £20,000 aswell so lol @ hoping I'd have just gone 'oh, sorry, here it is!'. She also told me she couldn't tell me who the debt was with or how much for due to data protection (yet she had sent us a lovely letter). She was a total genius.

Moral of the story; only ring if it isn't your debt. It keeps them busy so they can't bully people. I've been unhappy I haven't had any similar letters as I often get a free 5 minutes where I'd love to speak to someone who manages with only about 6 brain cells.

barbiedoll

Please don't panic about the text, that's exactly what it is designed to do. They think that you will be so scared that you'll suddenly find the cash to pay them. :mad:

In actual fact, these debt collectors have absolutely no legal powers and are not allowed to enter your home or even call at your door unless you have given them permission. Do send a copy of the letter, it will revoke their right to call on you but if they do send an agent round (unlikely) do not let them into your house and do not enter into a conversation with them. If you can, don't open the door at all. If you or your mum do open the door, don't be afraid, just tell them that you are dealing with the company in writing only and you have made an offer to pay. Say that you will not be discussing your financial affairs at the door with a complete stranger and shut the door. If they persist in ringing the bell or banging on the door/windows, tell them that you will call the police unless they leave. They are NOT bailiffs, they have NO rights to any of your goods or property so don't be intimidated.

Many of us on here have had texts or letters such as yours (myself included), once you know your rights, you have nothing to be afraid of. As others have said, don't speak to them on the phone, they are trained to bully and harrass you and you will find yourself agreeing to all sorts of payments that you may not be able to afford. Deal with them in writing only, that way, you have proof of what has been agreed. Send them regular payments, they won't refuse to take them. They cannot have what you haven't got so please don't lose sleep over this.