if the phone calls start...when?

pupfiction

hi guys

i have been reading all about the private companies and charges that you can ignore and it has been incredibly helpful and reassuring...so thanks for that

my question relates to when you ignore the 'fine' notice and subsequent threatening letters... when might the phone calls start and who are these from, the private parking company or the debt collectors?

we got one of these charges last week so i just want to know when (and if) to be prepared for the phone calls

again many thanks for all the info posted here. On a personal note to me its not just about the money it's more about not allowing so called businesses to pray on people's fear and vulnerablility. That is not how a civil society moves forward

thanks in advance for any replies

Kite2010

Normally it's the "debt" collectors which phone you (or text you). It depends which scammers have tried to scam you as some sometimes phone/text if they can get hold of your number, some don't bother.

give_them_FA

To be honest I think phone calls are not a standard part of the procedure for the reason that they don't often have your phone number. However as Kite says it will usually be the debt collector or phoney (no pun intended) solicitor because they figure people will be more intimidated by them... but the simple fact is they are totally powerless and useless. The simple way to get rid of any phone callers is to be more aggressive than they are- say, I owe you nothing, stop calling now or I will regard it as harassment, and hang up before they can get a word in edgeways! Log all calls in case you do indeed get the chance to do them for harassment; but usually the calls don't go on for long if you don't let them speak to you.

It's what this game is all about- if you are difficult, they won't bother and will go looking for softer targets.

27col

Apart from being disturbed by the phone when you don't want to be. The phone calls have no more significance than the scam invoices. It is easy enough to put the phone down and walk away from it as soon as they have identified themselves. They will soon get fed up with it. I expect others will be along soon with actual experience of the best way to deal with it. If and when it occurs.

pupfiction

thanks kite and FA and col

that has reassured me that if any phone calls do happen it will be later down the line and that if it does we just hang up on them

thank you

ManxRed

There are two other tactics for the phone calls.

1. Tell them the debt is denied and that they must refer the matter back to their client. Any further contact from them will be treated as harassment and appropriate action will be taken against them (report to TS, CSA, etc.). This makes them go away (or ought to, if they have any sense).

2. Tell them you'll just get the person concerned, and can they hang on a bit. Then put the phone next to a hi fi speaker playing, oh, I don't know, Richard Clayderman or James Last, and leave it there for as long as they are prepared to hang on before they hang up. After a few goes of this, they may well give up.

Orrrrrr.... you could blow a whistle down the phone really loud.

give_them_FA

Putting on a foreign accent and pretending you cannot understand anything they are saying is fun, too...

paddedjohn

If they do call you just say 'you do realise i will be invoicing you for the time i spend answering your calls' and then do it for a laugh.

esmerobbo

I am dealing with some DCA's on behalf of my SIL who is too ill to do it. Must say I am having some fun with them. Most of the phone jockeys haven't got a clue what they are talking about and you can tie them up in knots.
Had one last week who didn't know what a "consumer credit agreement" was????

Must say I have had some stupid quotes from them, and the things they believe they can do, when in fact they cant do anything, as SIL has nothing to give them! Thats assuming they have a valid CCA in the first place of course.;)

I haven't had the pleasure of a PPC DCA but have had fun with a couple of PPC's. One being quite rewarding!:)

treeboa

ello ello whos this, sorry can you speak up, no sorry cant hear you, ello, god this lines bad, who is this, no sorry cant hear you, ello can you speak up please, no sorry i cant hear you, if its double glazing i dont want it, oh speak up and stop mumbling please, hang on let me try the other phone ( press some of the keys), ello ello is this better, ello speak up please, now if you phones in the kitchen like mine put the kettle on and start generally making a noise, ello ello i cant hear you what number do you want, then just deny they have the right number - person - address over a few minutes with lots of ello can you speak up thrown in
its funny as hell if you get some fool on the other end if they last that long as you slowly wind them up

Stephen_Leak

ManxRed wrote: »

<snip>
Orrrrrr.... you could blow a whistle down the phone really loud.

When I used to work for PO Telephones/British Telecom/BT customer service, I couldn't recommend this, as it might cause actual physical harm to the caller. However, as I don't work for them any more ... :whistle: