Mbna

nnop72

I wrote to MBNA recently asking them to suspend interest and offering token payments whilst I am unemployed. They have written back asking me to provide details of either an alternate contact or an appointed representative so that they can action this request, with the usual suggestion that I call them to discuss.

As I have neither, is there a standard letter I can use to point this out? I changed my phone number a couple of months ago to stop all the phone calls, so I wondering whether they are fishing for contact information or whether they are entitled to take this approach before suspending interest / charges.

Thanks in advance,

NNOP

Hannah_10

Changing your number is one way of dealing with it, but be aware that if you give the new number to any company who can write to your credit file at all (bank, phone provider, lender, catalog, credit card etc) then it will end up on your credit file and MBNA will see it. We do have a "stop phoning me" template letter though, if you find you need it.

It's a tactic to isolate you. If they say they want to hear from someone representing you and you don't have anyone how does that make you feel? Vulnerable probably. That's what they want. As you are unemployed (presuming you are claiming JSA) you only have to pay £1 a month. That's not what they want. So if they can make you feel insecure and vulnerable you are likely to try harder to appease them. It't the same psychology as underpins domesticaly violent relationships by the way. Large lenders pay psychologists very well indeed to help them devise nasty tactics like that.

I don't know of a standard letter but if in doubt I say always write the shortest, to the point letter you can. So I would reply with something like:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your letter of (date). I am currently managing my repayments myself, under advice. As you will be aware, you are obliged by the OFT debt collection guidelines to deal with me directly .
I intend to pay £1 a month, as the amount I can fairly afford, given that I am unemployed. I informed you of this fact in my letter of (date). I am able to present evidence of my financial situation to a court, and am prepared do so if neccessary.
Are you going to give me the correct payment details so that I may set up a standing order to repay this or will you be forcing me to spend unneccessary additional money in purchasing postal orders and sending them by recorded mail? Should I not hear from you within 14 days I will assume the latter.

Yours Faithfully

nnop72

thanks Hannah, have sent a copy of that letter. didn't realise that debt collectors stooped that low, but I have been getting frustrated by their intransigence. They know they won't get any more out of me through a CCJ so I am hoping if I show I am equally stubborn they'll relent and accept my offer.

NNOP

FOURCANDLES_2

The friend I am helping has had issues with mbna they alas have failed to stop interest and keep heaping it on WHY they will not get it. They keep writing asking for a number he writes to them only, now does not even bother just pays a £1 Their game is to get you to ring give his number then they would ring every day to grind him down.

nnop72

MBNA lowered their interest rate when I first went onto a DMP through CCCS, but have kept it, so I am still running up the balance on the card. The other one who are proving to be a real nuisance are Halifax who keep adding high interest and late charges each month all the while using delaying tactics: please send us a statement of income expenditure, please send a list of creditors, we need your income expenditure to process the request, we still don't have a list of creditors etc. I've re-sent everything via recorded delivery in the hope they feel inflating the debt by 30% is enough since I lost my job

FOURCANDLES_2

nnop72 wrote: »

MBNA lowered their interest rate when I first went onto a DMP through CCCS, but have kept it, so I am still running up the balance on the card. The other one who are proving to be a real nuisance are Halifax who keep adding high interest and late charges each month all the while using delaying tactics: please send us a statement of income expenditure, please send a list of creditors, we need your income expenditure to process the request, we still don't have a list of creditors etc. I've re-sent everything via recorded delivery in the hope they feel inflating the debt by 30% is enough since I lost my job

Why do you not send a letter saying as they have not froze the interest you will no longer service the debt until instructed by the courts to do so.