Advice re nasty and agressive debt collection

Legacy_user

I suppose first the good news, the other half has finally woken up to her debt, and I am fortunate enough to be able to help her.

The bad news. Some cheeky sods from a debt collection agency (names withheld for the mo) got v aggressive about a £527 debt from months and months ago.

The guy on the phone was so rude he reduced my OH to tears with "We will take you to court tomorrow if you don't pay etc" (Despite the court isn't open on Saturday )

They even went as far as calling her a liar (Their words), telling people they will do this and that etc. She hung up in the end in tears and rang me at work

She offered to enter into a payment scheme "We will take the money, but we still take you to court"

We have had no letters from these people, this was first contact. The debt had been reassigned and no one told us.

My OH has been paying, but sporadically! They have also been ringing round her friends and family, despite we never made a secret of where we have lived for the last decade

Top and bottom of it is she is one of those people who has had their hours cut by 80% due to government cuts.

Now she has only just come off anti depressants and is delicate anyhow.

Me ? I have calmed down but ultra violence and arson came to mind! I am the type to just not let things drop. I am learning to chill a bit before re-acting. :T

Now I have a good income and could have paid them there and then, as I will do with the other collections agencies involved, who where decent enough, if a little sharp.

I want to make their lives a misery now. Firstly I would know how to make the most hideous pain in the a*s for them.

First thoughts, beside complaint to the FSA about sharp practice, a letter to the board of directors, trading standards, the mp for the area, the mp for their area

A signed copy of the original agreement
Assignment of debt to this company
A copy of all correspondence between my OH and other parties.
A formal complaint against the staff involved.
Send them a letter asking for communication only by post.
If it gets to court, get the hearing assigned to the local court

Secondly, is it reasonable to take them to court for emotional GBH (but don't know the terms) just to maybe make them think twice.

Also aren't most of these calls recorded? Can I demand a copy (and make sure I get one, with no accidental deletions)

Lastly, can I be her "spokes person" so that they deal with me and I will get them on the hop :mad::mad::mad::mad:

Can't wait to see if they have a signed agreement.

Ideally it would be awesome if all "progress" could be suspended until the complaint is resolved. Is that possible ?

I have no qualms going to court on my OHs behalf. I doubt they would even send anyone ?

Any advice welcome. Some may say that's life and I am over re acting but what if someone called your other half a liar and reduced them to tears what would you do.

thechippy

Post all you have mentioned.

If they mentioned the word "debt" when they spoke to friends / family, report them to the ICO for breach of the data protection act.

Who's the dca? it won't hurt to say and will help us to help you...;)

MrsTinks

Well personally whilst I agree with your points of view then angering them right now will probably only make them more likely to go for a CCJ... I'd wait with the heavy guns until after you have the debt under control.
However asking for a copy of the CCA is never a bad idea, also inform them in writing that you will only deal with them in writing from now on - give them 30 days to process that information though... they're a bit dim...
That way YOU can give them considered replies instead of them catching your GF on her own on the phone...
Re: ringing round your friends and family... how on earth did they get the numbers??? I don't as a regular thing give anyone elses number out - and have never done it for anything financial for certain! What exactly did they say to your friends etc? Are you certain that it was them and not another of her creditors? Just a thought...

PNPSUKNET

They use databases like GB group provide, its like you tick a box saying you may sahre data with selected companys. What they really mean is anyone that will buy it. Debt collection companys are not ment to be nice, if they were would people pay them or would they just fob them off like the origional creditor?