Help with Bank Charges - Door to door DC from Lewis Group

ChelleBelle

Hi Everyone,

Although I am not a newbie as such when it comes to writing posts I do not really do it as I usually find the info I need from the posts already on here - but this time I haven't.

I had a bank account with Barclays and a buffer zone of £120 which I used to live off really - each time money would go in, it would wipe it out and then I would spend into it again - vivious circle.

I went into that zone and then I wasn't able to come out of it - so I changed my account details and started getting my money paid in elsewhere, as they had said that each time money went into my barclays account they would reduce my buffer meaning effectively I would be left with nothing for 2 weeks and I could not afford to let that happen with 2 kids and a roof to keep over our heads. Of course the bank started sending demands and adding on charges and like most people I put my head in the sand and hoped they would go away.

I think I now owe £220 in total. This debt came about last September and because I am on ESA of just £65 a week (contribution based) for a tumour I have, I was earning far less and therefore just couldn't afford to have my small benefit amount I received to be taken away from me. So adter a while they stopped writing to me and a DCA wrote to me, again I avoided them and today I have had a DC come to my door and leave a card.

He was from The Lewis Group and said that he wants me to call him. I am too scared to call him because I have no money to give to him. My ESA is about to cease as I have been in receipt of it for a year meaning that as of 30th April I have nothing but Child Benefit coming in (for 2 children). I dont want him coming back to my home as I dont want him taking my TV or something of equal value to cover the debt. I feel so trapped and as someone who has worked her entire life and earnt a good wage I would normally have paid that off a long time ago and it would not have worried me, but now since my health has taken a hit and I have been unable to work it has just been the smallest amount of debt that scares the life out of me.

What powers to these door to door DC's have? Is there anything that I can request from them that will give me more time to sort out a way to pay this off? I am currently re-paying Next at £5 a month for a debt of almost £1k which will take 16 yrs to pay off. They never sent people to my home for such a high debt yet this agency are coming to my home for £220 and they have probably added on their own fees on top too. Please help me... I am really scared of them returning.

Thanks

chanz4

they are debt collectors so wont take things, but if they have done a doorstep shows that they will do it as lots claim they wouldnt for this amount

debtfreeby2013

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about your position and when people knock your door it's horrible.
The best thing I can suggest is to go to your local CAB office and speak to an adviser. They may be able to speak to Barclays, explain your situation and they may be able to write off the debt seeing as its such a small amount. The DCA have no powers to enter your home, only DC's ordered by the court have this right, but every time they turn up at your door or send a letter they will add a charge to your account do please, please go to CAB as soon as possible to gain advise regarding this.
Thanks.