Urgent help needed! Metro collection service may have tricked me!

gregdedman

Hi there everyone,

I know its late but hope someone is awake and can give me a little advice.
I had a £2000 debt with HSBC, passed to Metropolitan collection services and communications began.
I researched other people's advice to get written communications and take details of any phone contact.

Mid September I offered £500 as a full and final settlement figure, which they accepted via a letter from them, dated 18th September giving me a deadline of 15th September!! Of course, making it impossible to pay.
I called and they realised the error.
They said they would have to extend the offer.
I called back several days later and they confirmed the offer was extended until the 25th, so I paid the original £500 and clarified that is was a full and final settlement.
They agreed, and explained that my file would be marked as partially satisfied.

I paid over the phone, got the receipt number and requested a confirmation through the post.

Nothing!
So I called tonight, and the agent said that my balance was £1500 (after my £500) payment, that the account was under 'investigation' and that her system was shutting down at 9pm so would have to call in the morning.

Am I worrying unecessarily or have they totally robbed me of £500 and used it to pay off just £500 0f that £2000 after agreeing that it was to be a full and final settlement figure?

Please someone help, its going to be a looooong night!

Gordon_Hose

Not much you can do really. Any F&F offer should be had in writing before paying, but it's a bit late for that now.

paulmapp8306

Yes and no.

She had an offer for Full and Final in writing. She rang them to confirm as the dates were off and it was confirmed by phone. They will have to record all calls anyway so there will be a record of the communnication.

Having said that - I would have insisted on a second letter with the offer in writing with the correct validity dates. Also - while I have made a F&F settlemtent over the phone before I dont think its the safest. If wsend a cheque with a covering letter, containing the conditions of payment (as in F&F offer in accordance with your letter ref ***).

Id certainy ring them as ask !!!!!!.

Gordon_Hose

"Ah, we don't seem to have recorded your call, sir! That'll be 1500 smackers pl0x"

elaine12022

yes 'partially settled' - also I do believe traditionally in English Law paying part of a debt meant the creditor could still chase you for the rest. However if you offered something else eg £500 and a bag of carrots and they accepted that could be construed as fully settled!