Proof Of Illness To Debt Collectors

BBeauty007

Hi,

Wondered if I could gleem some advice from any1 on the forum.

My situation is this, I ran up a debt with a credit card, I was paying this off, however recently I had some bad news, in that I have cancer, I am currently receiving chemotherapy, and the payments lapsed for 4 months.

A company called Red Castle have taken on my debt. I wrote to them telling them why I had not contacted them over their first 2 letters, and that I could start paying monthly instalments to restart paying the debt off. They have now sent me a letter stating:

"I write with regard to your recent communication concerning the above account and would advise that I would need documentary evidence showing your current medical condition to allow your request for reduced monthly instalments to be considered fully".

I would like to know if the company have a right to demand this. I would be able to send them details, but I am not sure if this is the right thing to do.

I would appreciate any advice given.

Many thanks,

BBeauty007

lvm

Hey BBeauty,

Sorry to hear your news. I don't know what you technically should do in your situation however I must say, if it was myself, I would be writing to them to tell them I wouldn't be providing such proof and you are horrified they are being so insensitive given the circumstances.

In my own opinion, any medical condition is of absolutely nothing to do with them - particularly your medical records - what they should be concerned about it your financial situation. I know some people don't even like to do this but if you were happy to do so, you could send them an Income and Expense Statement showing what you've got coming in (SSP, benefits, reduced income etc) and your outgoings.

I'm sure someone will come along and tell you the legalities though but just wanted to give my opinion.

All the best for your recovery xx

BBeauty007

Many thanks for the reply IVM.

Most appreciated.

BB007

lvm wrote: »

Hey BBeauty,

Sorry to hear your news. I don't know what you technically should do in your situation however I must say, if it was myself, I would be writing to them to tell them I wouldn't be providing such proof and you are horrified they are being so insensitive given the circumstances.

In my own opinion, any medical condition is of absolutely nothing to do with them - particularly your medical records - what they should be concerned about it your financial situation. I know some people don't even like to do this but if you were happy to do so, you could send them an Income and Expense Statement showing what you've got coming in (SSP, benefits, reduced income etc) and your outgoings.

I'm sure someone will come along and tell you the legalities though but just wanted to give my opinion.

All the best for your recovery xx

antonic

Your genuine, but how many people lie to them ?.

My suggestion would be to get a letter from your doctor giving the bare essentials of your illness and send it to them ( I accept such letters as proof of illness as a Govt debt collector) and then wait for their reply.

As Red Castle are a DCA FOR the Credit Card company why dont you write to the Credit Card Company to make them aware of your illness and ask that they take the debt back in house ?..

BBeauty007 wrote: »

Hi,

Wondered if I could gleem some advice from any1 on the forum.

My situation is this, I ran up a debt with a credit card, I was paying this off, however recently I had some bad news, in that I have cancer, I am currently receiving chemotherapy, and the payments lapsed for 4 months.

A company called Red Castle have taken on my debt. I wrote to them telling them why I had not contacted them over their first 2 letters, and that I could start paying monthly instalments to restart paying the debt off. They have now sent me a letter stating:

"I write with regard to your recent communication concerning the above account and would advise that I would need documentary evidence showing your current medical condition to allow your request for reduced monthly instalments to be considered fully".

I would like to know if the company have a right to demand this. I would be able to send them details, but I am not sure if this is the right thing to do.

I would appreciate any advice given.

Many thanks,

BBeauty007

fatbelly

Your offer of a monthly payment is a result of your income/expenditure as evidenced by a Financial Statement. Your illness is only indirectly related and so I would not go out of your way to produce documentation.

Start making the payment and only respond if they want further clarification of an item on your statement.

If you use a third party like CAB or CCCS they will use a Common Financial Statement which should be accepted as a basis for the offer provided that items of expenditure are within the trigger figures.

Evidence of your illness could be relevant if what you are looking for is a write-off.

[Deleted User]

So sorry to hear about your illness & all the best for your recovery.

I would probably just send them the proof I mean you already told them that you have cancer, if you send them the proof then they will get off your back & you can stop worrying about it & concentrate on getting better.

Maybe I'm wrong on this but just what I would do.

Lots of love & wishes for a speedy recovery.

Dxxx

Edited - By the way you will get some people who will lie about things like this to get out of paying back the money - I am in no way implying that this is what you are doing - this may be one of the reasons they now ask for this kind of thing tho

BBeauty007

Thanks very much for your reply Antonic,

I did contact the credit card company, in fact I spoke to 2 different people, who were very dismissive and said the matter was now being dealt with the DCA.

antonic wrote: »

Your genuine, but how many people lie to them ?.

My suggestion would be to get a letter from your doctor giving the bare essentials of your illness and send it to them ( I accept such letters as proof of illness as a Govt debt collector) and then wait for their reply.

As Red Castle are a DCA FOR the Credit Card company why dont you write to the Credit Card Company to make them aware of your illness and ask that they take the debt back in house ?..

BBeauty007

Thanks very much for the reply Fatbelly,

I am looking to pay this debt off,not as a write off. I ran the debt up, it's only right I should pay it back.

I appreciate your feedback.

fatbelly wrote: »

Your offer of a monthly payment is a result of your income/expenditure as evidenced by a Financial Statement. Your illness is only indirectly related and so I would not go out of your way to produce documentation.

Start making the payment and only respond if they want further clarification of an item on your statement.

If you use a third party like CAB or CCCS they will use a Common Financial Statement which should be accepted as a basis for the offer provided that items of expenditure are within the trigger figures.

Evidence of your illness could be relevant if what you are looking for is a write-off.

BBeauty007

DollyRocker,

Thanks very much for your reply, - I appreciate you taking the time.

I understand why the DCA would want proof - at the time, the tone of the letter I received from them shocked me somewhat.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Deleted_User wrote: »

So sorry to hear about your illness & all the best for your recovery.

I would probably just send them the proof I mean you already told them that you have cancer, if you send them the proof then they will get off your back & you can stop worrying about it & concentrate on getting better.

Maybe I'm wrong on this but just what I would do.

Lots of love & wishes for a speedy recovery.

Dxxx

Edited - By the way you will get some people who will lie about things like this to get out of paying back the money - I am in no way implying that this is what you are doing - this may be one of the reasons they now ask for this kind of thing tho

[Deleted User]

BBeauty007 wrote: »

DollyRocker,

Thanks very much for your reply, - I appreciate you taking the time.

I understand why the DCA would want proof - at the time, the tone of the letter I received from them shocked me somewhat.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

I would imagine hon - I would have felt the same it seems like such a shocking & heartless thing for them to ask from you.

Dxxx

red_scorpian

Hi BBeauty,
Did'nt want to read and run I totally agree with Fat Belly send them nothing having to cope with an illness is bad enough without you having to show them evidence ,pay what you can and let them hang,they're so bang out of order it's making my blood boil:mad: .You just concentrate on getting better, take care and I hope you have a speedy recovery xxx