Gladstone Brookes - Harassment?

LouiseH1

Last year I enlisted the help of Gladstone Brookes to help me recover PPI against a couple of credit cards that I had. They were successful with both, which was great. One of the fee's I paid outright, and the other I had to take a [TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM] loan out with them as the compensation paid off the remainder of the credit card. My agreement with Gladstone Brookes was £75 a month, which I have paid every month without fail.

This arrangement started over a year ago, with no problems at all. A few weeks ago, I got a call from Gladstone Brookes asking me to switch my direct debit over to standing order. When I asked them why, I was told that they have been having problems with customers paying and so this was a form of guarantee for them. When I pointed out that I have not missed a payment, they agreed and said that they still wanted me to consider it. I told them I would think about it and contact them if I was prepared to move to a standing order.

I was a little peturbed because I know that companies can change the amount of a standing order and date without warning, which makes me uncomfortable so I left it.

To cut a long story short, they keep calling me, in spite of me telling the operative that I was not interested and I had already told them that I would contact them if I was prepared to move over to an SO. He offered to knock £200 off of my bill. An interesting offer but it does make me wonder why they are so desperate.

I then got a letter through the post telling me that they would accept £1000 as a final settlement (current loan is at around £1700). It would be great if I had £1000 laying around but I don't. I ignored the letter and the phonecalls (unanswered) continued.

They have now changed their tactics. The latest message on my answer phone says that I must contact them with a full list of my outgoings/expenses so that they can review my account. I got a letter through the post saying the same thing.

Can they do this? I have never had any problems with my payments to them and I'm now starting to feel a little harrassed. I have had loans before and have never had anyone contact me saying that they need to review my financial situation.

[Deleted User]

Are you sure you've understood them correctly? A direct debit allows them to change the amount, while a standing order does not.

I think you need to check the terms of the agreement you have with them and see exactly what it says. Then see if they have any grounds for making changes.

redpete

Are you sure you have it the right way round? Direct Debits authorise the lender to debit your bank account and put them in more control; standing orders (AFAIK) are set up by you to transfer a set amount of money on a set date (or day of the month) and can only be changed by you, not the receiver.

It does sound like they are desperate for cash - I wouldn't give them a Direct Debit authorisation in these circumstances.

Do you have the repayment agreement in writing? If so then write to them saying you will be keeping to that agreement and tellt hem to stop contacting you to change it.

[BTW - for the sake of others reading this thread - there is no need to pay for someone to claim PPI on your behalf, there are instructions on this site that allow you to do it for yourself for free (or for the price of a few stamps). Also note the fact that you might not receive the refund if you have an outstanding CC debt as this poster did.]

LouiseH1

Apologies, my mistake; I currently have a standing order and they want me to change it to a direct debit.

The fact that they are now asking me for a breakdown of my finances is a bit of a cheek, I feel.

I will check my loan agreement tonight when I get home.

Many thanks for your help.

bargainbetty

If your loan agreement was £75 per month by standing order, then they have no right to demand more, nor do they have the right to demand your financial details.

Find your paperwork, and specifically find the agreement/payment page. Take a photocopy of it, and send it to them with a letter stating that you are abiding by the terms of the agreement and have no wish to amend it at this time, nor are you obliged to do so.

State quite clearly that you will consider further telephone calls or letters regarding this matter as harassment. Insist that they remove your telephone number from their records and further communication must be in writing. State that you will accept no further correspondence regarding the amendment of your agreement, nor will you consent to the direct debit requested.

Send it recorded/signed for, and check that it has been accepted. Then if they call, refer them to the letter and politely advise them that they are in breach of law by phoning. End the call and hang up, or block the number.