mckenzie hall , HELP !!!

taracoupon

hi im new to the forum
I accrued some debt when i fell seriously ill and lost my leg to a serious infection i was working at the time and was disabled from the age of three technically but still held a job from aged 15. When this happened in 2007/8 my health has declined in so much im on morphine at home now with fentynal as my spine and amputations left me with other major health issue which now this year im having 2 major operations.
I recieved a letter and i admit i have debt and all letters i recieve when i do i make immediate contact via email and offer £10 a month as payment and set up a direct debit. Every company i have done this with has accepted and some are debts owing more then mckenzie hall have. I contacted them via email explaining i could not call i had just had minor surgery which left me in alot of pain 3 days prior and my throat swollen hence not able to speak.I also signed into the account and made a payment of goodwill of £10 to show i was willing to pay. I have now sent 2 further emails one of which said private and confidential but to reply over the phone to which again i emailed but through there website. I have now been asked to fill in there income section so they can work out a payment plan for me. I have stated im on benifits my income is ever changing with hospital admissions etc so i can never say for sure yes il have this much spare each month and i also need full time care and repeatedly need to change things with linen,clothes so forth with my problem. I explained that to them and said every company ive ever encountered has said £10 is fine and paid by a certain date if a direct debits being set up.
Why are mckenzie hall being so difficult and very unsympathetic i struggle to make ends meet all the time and it puts alot of stress on me and i dont need it coming from this company aswell. Plus i could be admitted at any time in crisis so adds to the financial pressure.
Please can anyone help me i dont find it fair that they insist i fill this in when ive approached them with an offer ?:(

swanfan02

No you don't have to fill out any income section for them or anybody. You tell them how much you can afford to pay, if they don't like it tough!

DCAs will try to put pressure on you no matter what you offer, as they will not listen write back saying you will pay £xx per month, that is what you can afford and pay that.

Gordon_Hose

You are under no obligation to supply them with an I&E form. Only a court can demand this of you.

Personally I'd write to them, offer £1 a week and tell them if they don't accept it they can go swivel. As you are on benefits this is all a judge would allow as benefits aren't there to pay your debts, they are there to help you live.

taracoupon

thank you both for your advice
as for legislation if they reply again which i fear they will demanding this could i back myself up with something as i know they cant take me to court as they have no case as i have offered a amount to pay i just worry with people bashing on my door when i need to rest and sleep alot as my immune system is non exsistant.

Why do they seem to be so nasty to people who offer to pay ? easpecially when on benifits like you say its there to help me live and its not alot at all when you throw in medical trips,admissions,replacement clothes and linen etc im doing it month to month working it out and trying to save as much as i can by i know sounds lame but i collect samples at the moment its that tight i just have to so i wont be embarressed going in hospital without a simple thing like toothpaste.
thank you both:o

Gordon_Hose

No-one will come knocking, and if they threaten it there are template letters we can supply you with to stop that happening.

They'd be stupid to try the court route if you are on benefits as, ultimately, they'll get less.

BlushingRose

Is anyone helping you with your debt? I'm just wondering whether one of the free debt charities might be able to help. Not necessarily on a dmp but just as a go between on your behalf. Might stop people making contact as much?

pmlindyloo

BlushingRose wrote: »

Is anyone helping you with your debt? I'm just wondering whether one of the free debt charities might be able to help. Not necessarily on a dmp but just as a go between on your behalf. Might stop people making contact as much?

I agree.

I would urge you to get some help with this.

You do not say how much total debt you have but it may be possible for you to enter a Debt Relief Order if you have less than £15000, do not own your own house, and have less than £50 a month after expenditure. There are other criteria. You may like to investigate.

Even if a DRO is not appropriate for you a visit to the Citizens Advice Bureau would be helpful.

In view of your poor health there may be other options available (I'm thinking of charities to help for example). CAB would be able to explore different options with you.

Certainly CAB would help you to stop the harrassment you are experiencing.

If you do decide to go to CAB google their website and pop in your post code for the ones near you. You really need a CAB in your nearest large town as you need a Money Specialist. (CAB's website should give you a list of your nearest CAB and the help available)

taracoupon

Thank you and yes i do need the template letters they are insistant that i fill this form out to which ive stated again im not legally obliged and as i approached them with the offer no judge would take this case as i have made first payment and subsiquently will set up monthly to do so. I have informed my bank they are not to take more then £10 if they try and i cant access the CAB the only time i leave my house is in hospital transport to attend appointments other then that i dont go out. I dont have much debt it was accrued literally in the months i wasnt working and the benifits agency dealing with my claims plus being moved into special needs housing within the month has meant ive not recieved any correspondence as well i did have alot more going on like trying to beat a life threatening infection to my expense lost my leg as proof. So my total debt is no more then £2,000 all together ive set up plans with other companies for £10 a month who have never asked for me to provide my income and my gas debt is clear now and i pay £3 towards my electric debt as was on bills then switched to meters and thats under £100 now so im getting there. I never know what my expenditure will be from month to month as if im in hospital for a week it eats away as with my husband fares to visit me and all the other things it entails im lucky if we have £100 a month after all the bills etc are paid to just have a little treat or maintain the house if anything needs doing.
Why cant they just be like the others and accept it ive been stressed upset crying and just pure at my wits end which has flared my joints up to no end im now in agony through trying and my husband is now quite worried this stress will land me in a and e next week in crisis.

I never knew of charities, i knew of the options etc but i dont have that much debt and im slowly paying it off so was all well till this company started on me. I accknowledge yes i accrued debt but im willing to pay back just want them off my back hammering me about this every day.

taracoupon

Good afternoon,

I would advise that we are not refusing a payment any payment you send in will be deducted from the balance. However as the account is has been in continue and regular default since 2007 we would require an income and expenditure form, so as to be able to set up a formal arrangement, as we need to ensure the payment is within your means and fair therefore preventing any further default. Payments sent in outwith a formal arrangement will be deducted from the balance as a token payment only.



this is the email i got sent not very professional nor does it make much sense to me as i know my means £10 per month ??????

RAS

Hi

if you are restricted to the house, please contact CAP, as they do home visits.

they will apply the required flea in the ear needed by this lot.


Debt counselling agency, which specialises in helping those who are struggling. The religious focus is why they do it, not how they do it.

• Link: Christians Against Poverty
• Tel: 01274 760720
• Opening times: different for each bureau

annabel14

Hi Tara so sorry to see you bein g harassed like this. I am aware this companys reputation is appalling. in fact there is a very long thread somewhere (or used ot be) specifically about dealing with them. Their tactics are well documented.The people on here will give you sound advise. You should be proud of yourself for coping so well in these very difficult circumstances. take care.:)