Meritforce Ltd letter.

Smashy79

Hi all.
This is possibly the best place I have found for some advice so I was hoping for a little more, if possible.
I've received a letter from the above company on behalf of Mackenzie Hall saying they will be paying a visit within the next 10 days unless I contact MH.
I've read a lot of posts here and on other forums from people that have been in the same boat and whom have been told to just ignore it if it's a really old debt.
I can't, really, as it has "only" been about two years since I stopped paying the debt to HFC Bank (I was unemployed at the time).
If I can be frank, I'm afraid to contact Mackenzie Hall as they have not been understanding to people from what I have read of them. I'm not in a situation right now where I can pay them anything - certainly not for the next three months as all my money over this period has already gone to my father for helping me pay off old debts.
But does anyone know of a way I can delay paying them? I dislike getting these threatening letters, and I will pay this debt within the next six months, but I refuse to right now, as my father helped me out massively, and I've got to pay him otherwise it causes him serious problems.

In a bit of a fix right now, and could do with some support please, if possible.

vax2002

We will need some dates:
About is not much good.
The visit threat is how they get you to call them.

Smashy79

The last payment I made to HFC Bank was on July 26th 2010. Before that, I had been paying them ~£30 a month via direct debit for 8 years with no problems (in that time I paid £300 off an £1100 loan...). Around July 2010 I was unemployed, and I had paid the last payment with whatever I had left.
Thanks to my dad, I'll be in a good enough position to just pay this off around September. But until then, it's not something feasible.
I'm guessing I should just ignore it until then? My only worry is that this is taken further. I would rather pay it off - eventually - as it is quite simply a debt that I owe. But unsure of what method I should go about to tell them this.

awayinchina

Hey Smashy,

How about you call them (use skype or a mobile phone that can record the conversation you have with them). Explain, you will be in a position for full and final settlement (offer around 25% of whats outstanding) also put it in writing (email them).
Offer to set up £1 minimum monthly payment between now and september.
As long as you get replies in writing and make sure they do it. But also record your conversation with them. Write out a script in regards what you aim to do and when and DO NOT LET THEM BULLY YOU! Stick to your script £1pcm until September and once you have the money call them and get a negotiation started in regards FULL and FINAL settlement.

vax2002

So you have been paying £30 a month for 8 years off a £1100 loan and you still owe ?
I think you need to have this looked at by someone who understands the sums and figures.
Someone is having you over !

Smashy79

@awayinchina Thanks for the advice. I'll give that a try.

@vax2002 Apologies. £1300 from a £2100 loan. So it's doesn't seem massively unreasonable over that term.

Smashy79

Strictly speaking, it wasn't even a loan. It was one of those disgusting credit account things HFC were notorious for back then.

Newchapter

Try to resist calling them until you've had advice. They are basically after your money and if you engage with them, their chances of getting the outstanding money are increased. They have no authority to enter your home if they were to turn up - from speaking to a friend who's a financial advisor, he said this stragey is one that a number of debt collection companies are using but they do not actually trun up at people's houses. Its a bullying technique used to encourage ypou to contact them. Be strong and good luck!

Smashy79 wrote: »

Hi all.
This is possibly the best place I have found for some advice so I was hoping for a little more, if possible.
I've received a letter from the above company on behalf of Mackenzie Hall saying they will be paying a visit within the next 10 days unless I contact MH.
I've read a lot of posts here and on other forums from people that have been in the same boat and whom have been told to just ignore it if it's a really old debt.
I can't, really, as it has "only" been about two years since I stopped paying the debt to HFC Bank (I was unemployed at the time).
If I can be frank, I'm afraid to contact Mackenzie Hall as they have not been understanding to people from what I have read of them. I'm not in a situation right now where I can pay them anything - certainly not for the next three months as all my money over this period has already gone to my father for helping me pay off old debts.
But does anyone know of a way I can delay paying them? I dislike getting these threatening letters, and I will pay this debt within the next six months, but I refuse to right now, as my father helped me out massively, and I've got to pay him otherwise it causes him serious problems.

In a bit of a fix right now, and could do with some support please, if possible.