£160 for IVA paperwork!

atomicsheep

I got a call from CreditFix one evening and we looked into an IVA.

They sent a rep around to go through my documents (income and outgoings). THey copied some of my ID and went away.

A month later I got the paperwork through from Creditfix. It contained many documents that I had to sign to give permissions for them to act on my behalf. I also came with a document explaining the pro's and con's to going into an IVA (called the R3 document)

After reading I decided that this was not for me so I phoned the company to cancel my interest. I got the letters on the 1/8/12 and called them today 2/8/12.

They were able to cancel but said they would have to keep the first £160 payment that is pending in my account now.

When asked why they said it was for setting up the account and contacting the creditors.

I offered a token payment as I didn't accept £160 was a fair price for some letters to be sent. In addition I mentioned that I haven't returned any signed paperwork to say they can act yet as its still infront of me.

I asked about cooling off periods. They said i had 7 days from the rep came around. I explained that I only knew I wanted to cancel when i got the paperwork through that explained in detail what was entailed within an IVA. I asked why it also took 1 mth to send any paperwork out in the first place.
Apparently I have to phone them after the rep comes around before they will send any documents to me? Apparently this is to do with data protection? Not quite sure why this is so considering I gave my details during the rep interview.

They also said the £160 covers the bill of the rep that came to the house. But my argument there was that if a rep came over and I said on that evening "No, im not interested". He wouldn't have charged me £160 to turn up surely!?

Ultimately they wont give me a refund or accept a token payment to cover the cost of a few letters.

Ive asked for ANY signed documents to be returned to me including the terms and conditions.
I'll see what my grounds are when i get this document. But in the meantime does anyone have any good input on this? I just think its bizarre that your cooling off period ends before you get any paperwork explaining the pitfalls so once you are aware it's too late anyway.

Thanks in advance

debtinfo

I know it really doesent help you but hopefully serves as a warning to others, and that is to never go with a company that cold calls you, always go for a company that does not charge any money to fill in the forms, there are plenty of them including some not for profit companies.

As to what you can do, has the money actually left your account yet, if not try and get the bank to stop it, if that is to late ask them for detailsof their governing body and make a complaint

atomicsheep

This is what i dont get about the banks...I phoned the bank and even though it hasnt left the account they cant stop the payment.

harveybobbles

close your account?

atomicsheep

Bit drastic though as a solution to stop one company.

THe company are pegit in terms of actually existing and trading. They do actually go through the IVA's with people.

I do believe that this will be the only payment they take as I have now cancelled.

It's £160 i paid for them to basically do nothing im not happy with