Weird letter

alemted

Hi all

Been on DMP with payplan since Jan 07, paid 3 installments so far, most creditors OK, a couple dragging their heels, still phoning and sending letters which we send straight to payplan (Lloyds TSB CC & RBOS i think).

Anyway, wife received a letter this morning which has upset her, from a DCA in scotland acting on behalf of BOS, saying one of their baillifs is coming to our house between 5.30 & 7.30pm, if this is not convenient please phone this number, and there is no date so she thinks it's tonight!!!
Previous letters from them have been forwarded to payplan as usual. She has phoned me at work obviously upset, I told her it sounds like a bully tactic and to ignore it and send it to payplan but she falls for everything she reads!

I thought DCA's had to apply to court to use bailliffs? None of the hanging on debtors have gone to court (yet).

As I understand it only bailliffs for council tax can gain entry and repossess goods (our council tax is paid up to date).

Sounds like a dodgy tactic to me?

immoral_angeluk

A company has to have gone to court and got a CCJ before they can send out bailiffs.. does it definately say bailiffs and not debt collector?

alemted

Hmmmm, you could be right, she was a bit upset explaining it all on the phone - I somehow doubt a debt collector from glasgow would travel 200 miles just for a 'meeting' where they will just be pointed in the direction of payplan

immoral_angeluk

Just sounds like a scare tactic to me. If anyone does come to the door just ignore it. Debt collectors have no powers whatsoever and it's very unlikely anyone will actually turn up.

alemted

Just phoned wife again and convinced her its a scare tactic. Its from a debt collectors in edinburgh (not glasgow). And no courts have been involved in any of our debts.

Very strange tactic, getting a letter that says the debt collectors are coming on the day the letter arrives - all meant to get you worried no doubt.

I really hope someone does come when im home (6ft 3ins - 16 stone), they will get a very polite but firm "Go Away" or words to that effect.

skylight

9 out of 14 creditors threatened to send debt collectors round.

Many, many threats of this in total and to date ONE eventually arrived - from Hyundai Car Finance.

Told him to bu88er off through the window as his help was not appreciated. Told him to put his proposals in writing - he claimed they had written lots. My reply was yes, lots of threats, computer generated letters and no actual common sense. Goodbye - closed the little window I was yelling through and away he went.

So - you MUST NOT open the door to them (in the most and very unlikely event that they turn up) It costs them money to send someone and its a waste of money to most creditors to do that. A bullying tactic designed to scare you into paying up asap - and it has worked as your wife is now terrified.

Even "real" baliffs have no powers really, with the exception of council tax debts. Debt collectors have equally no powers whatsoever.

alemted

I don't mind opening the door to anyone that arrives - they will soon be sent scampering away from my property.

The wife at home on her own or with the kids though is another matter.

Emmzi

alemted,

the opening the door bit is about a legal technicality granting them rights of future access, if they push over threshold (bailiffs only).

General guidance is to tell them to p*** off through the letter box!

skylight

Even a foot in the door means "peaceful entry" (bailiffs). Its why people suggest NEVER answer the door and yell via letterbox or window.

I always hope that one tries to get in through an open window. Silly, I know, but I laugh at thoughts of me smashing a big something over their knuckles. Sadly, they never come for me to do this.

alemted

Weird law that, lots of people come to my door and I automatically open it to find out who it is. Does this mean I have to shout through the letterbox to find out who's at my door before opening it?!?

Anyway, i'm at home now and 100% sure no-one will turn up, letter looks like a wage slip!!

Only says the following:

34146585

I CONFIRM I WILL BE CALLING BETWEEN

5.30PM AND 7.30PM

IF INCONVENIENT PLEASE CONTACT MR SCOTT ON

0870 050 1048

Regards

Mr J White

Debt Managers Ltd, 4 Jamaica St, Edinburgh EH3 6UP


On the outside it says: if undelivered please return to document outsourcing, document house, 3 phoenix crescent, strathclyde business park, belshill ML4 3NJ

No mention of who the debt is on behalf of!! Incredibly dirty tactics if you ask me, Debt Managers Ltd have done this before and after a quick search don't have a good rep.

Bunnyinthelights

Alemted,
It's a regular (and dirty) trick they will try near the start of your DMP.
Ignore it.

Bunny