Wonga taking money in random amounts..

Bex33

Hi everyone, I thought it was about time I joined here seeing as I spend so much time getting great advice here lurking in the shadows!

Now I know, I know...payday loans are a big bad idea but it was Christmas and I was desperate and I could actually afford to pay it back.....until since getting the loan my fridge freezer AND washing machine decided to pack up on me.

So I sent wonga an e-mail stating I couldn't afford to pay the loan when due or afford to roll over so what would be the minimum payment plan they would accept. No reply, but £144 has been taken today, food and heating money for my 3 kids unfortunately. All my fault, I know but does anyone know where I should go from here?

I have emailed every address I've found for wonga stating that no more money be taken and to remove my card details and that I will be reporting the £144 gone out as theft as that's advice I got from another site and added I would like to make a repayment plan. Is it just a waiting game now? I can't afford to ring them. Can I get my £144 back at all? I called the bank and they said they can do nothing

[Deleted User]

Unlikely the money will be returned. It's not theft, so it's best not to start confusing matters by accusing them of that.

In the short term, you may be best closing your account and opening a new one elsewhere. But you're going to need to find the money to call them to start discussions if you're not getting email answers.

pheonixrising21

I've found an excllent website called saynoto0870 dot com. This basically has a database of 0845, 0870, 090 numbers for major companies. You search either by number or company name and it will provide the landline equivalent (e.g 0114...), which will significantly reduce the cost of the call, if not make it completely free depending on if you have free evening and weekend calls with BT etc or free minutes on your mobile

mariapb

It's not theft. If you look at your agreement it will say somewhere that they are allowed to try for balance daily and in smaller increments. It's also not personal to you, I'm sure Wonga etc receive emails all the time telling them that people can't pay because of whatever reason. If you can't pay the rest of the balance, the change your account and persevere with getting an arrangement set up.

Bex33

Oh wow I feel stupid now for saying that to them then, but I saw some guy had done it, got his money back and a crime number from the police.

Thanks I'll try find a cheaper number then.

chanz4

Police wouldnt get involved in a cival matter

Tixy

They'll keep trying to raid that account every day to see whether there is any money in the account until they have taken back the whole loan.

Best option is to open a new account with a different bank and have any more income paid into the new account. Once they can't access any more funds from the account they are then likely to enter into a repayment plan with you for the remainder.

Can you manage until you next have some money paid to you? Don't get out another payday loan to see you through? Could family help you out? If you are employed would employer help with a small wage advance? If not employed but claiming benefits would you qualify for a budgeting loan?

vax2002

A drink from the devils cup !

Apples2

Sounds like CAG advice to shout theft and claw it back.

Understand what will happen though, if you still owe them you will incur charges, if you claw this money back you wil incur even more charges. Your debt to them will absolutely rocket (take note of that massive APR which wasn't relevant if you adhered to the agreement).

It is inthe T&C's that they can enter your account and take whatever they want, up to the amount outstanding, you already agreed with this when taking the loan.

You are best advised to repay your PDL at the detriment to anything else (apart from Mortgage).
Try your utility companies and see if they will allow you a month or twos grace, maybe council tax (some do, some don't). the penalties they bring will be much more bearable than the PDL penalties.

Your focus should be to clear this PDL as a priority, it will get very expensive if you try to fight them.

andy.m_2

You know, for a short term solution you could buy fresh produce and use a laundry-o-mat for a couple of weeks.
That way you can pay the PDL people and next month buy the white goods.

KingElvis

They couldn't give a cold, dead rat's as5 about your threats, they'll keep cleaning you out until you have repaid all you owe.

My advice, move bank accounts as soon as possible.