Has anyone actually reported a bank for harrassment?

OneSpike

Hello. I've been reading various threads about banks' heavy tactics as we've been getting increasing loads of calls lately, of which MBNA, Co-op and AA Personal Finance are far and away the worst. Just wondered, do you think they'd call on Christmas Day?? Bet they would!

Anyway, despite making clear from our first contact with them post-LBM that all communication was to be in writing and reiterating this in writing and repeatedly on the phone, the calls have continued. For the last week or so we've been explaining that we will now be reporting them for harrassment three bags full, but two of the companies (can't remember which two as it's been DH who's just happened to take 99% of the calls) have said that it doesn't make any difference, they'll continue to call. Now aside from the fact that I want to smash the little !!!!!!' teeth straight down their throats for being such cocky !!!!!!!s, are they right or are they just risibly attempting to intimidate us? We're going to write some pretty stiff letters and will in the case of MBNA be following JGWT8M's excellent guidance on who to write to http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=311367&highlight=continued+calls. However we also want to follow through and report these people.

Does anyone know exactly which department of which organisation(s) we write to? Is there a standard form of wording? I'm well able to write a carefully worded letter but am unfamiliar with the legalese required in these circs so would welcome any advice/experience going.

Thanks chaps - off for a mince pie and glass of mulled wine now, have no intention of letting the !!!!!!!s get me down! :xmastree:

OneSpike

Well, I guess not, looks like the Spikes are on their own with this one!

JoJo_Sparkly

Hi Spike

Go for it - Wish someone would get em!
Jojo

Broken_hearted

Change the number, most back down if you complain but others don't seem to care.

Honeybee_2

Maybe tell them that you'll only be available on 0906 blah blah blah. Make sure it's a grotty chat line!

I was having phonecalls in relation to one of my husband's debts. (a questionable debt at that, seperate account for charges? I don't think so!) I asked them to phone me regarding this matter on one occasion and they took that as removing his contact numbers from his account and calling my mobile up to 5 times per day, asking for him.

The last one that called bore the full brunt of my hormonal, post natal fury. Needless to say, they've not phoned me since!

lynzpower

You need to report them both to the police for harrassment ( not that they will do much but you'll get a crime reference number which is handy for getting the hasslers to back off. You need to also report them to the FSA. theres a generic helpline to the FSA on their website. The FSA in my experience give excellent quality advice & guidance.

JGWT8M

You could also try a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, I don't know how they (FSO) would react to this kind of complaint (download and complete the form, don't telephone), but send a copy of the complaint form to the bank and it might be enough to make them sit up and take notice.

But changing your phone number would be my first step.

Triker

Just thinking could you not ring the operator and get that call barring thing whereby you will not accept calls from their numbers. Worth a try.
If they are withheld numbers then maybe bar them or get a phone that you can screen calls on, if it shows as withheld number. don't answer.

oscar52

Hate to say this, but MBNA do work on Christmas Day (not sure if they call outwards though, think its just for inward / fraud calls)

One point that does get their attention is to just hang up, dont bother speaking to them - as sonn as they say, hello this is Muppet calling from - hang up, i wouldnt even say goodbye

THE_LONE_RANGER_4

i reported a dca to the police and a bank and i folowed it up you have a right to report to the police and they have to follow it up both stopped harrassing me , one actually wrote the debt off.

Rachman_2

onespike, if someone owed you money, how hard would you chase it ? Or would you just agree to be restricted to writing to them ?