Ignoring the phonecalls/letters

Loopy1

Hi there, my DH wants to go BR but we are struggling to save up the fees. We have ignored all the phonecalls/letters and one CC has already passed the debt to someone else. Today somebody came knocking and we dont normally answer the door but DH thought it was a delivery, it was someone saying he had to phone somebody and started to make the call but DH said no he wasnt making any call and shut the door. Now I am really worried the bailifs will be knocking.
Are we right to continue to ignore or do we tell them we are going BR?
DH says they need to get a court order first for bailifs and happy to go to court but im not so sure and now Im scared of anyone knocking on the door!

debt_doctor

Hi,

DH is completely correct. Bailiffs can only be instructed by the court after the CCJ has not been complied with. No court action = no bailiffs.
If it ever gets to bailiff stage then keep the doors and windows locked and dont let them in.

DD

Loopy1

but what about a private debt collector they dont go through court do they? Do Credit card companies employ these? (or Mercer?)

debt_doctor

Loopy1 wrote: »

but what about a private debt collector they dont go through court do they? Do Credit card companies employ these? (or Mercer?)

Private collectors have no powers at all - all they can do is ask you to pay. It is very rare for a debt company to actually send someone out as that is a real person, being paid, perhaps travelling many miles to see you - that is not cost effective and rarely happens.
But what does happen is that letters come out threatening to turn up - but followed by the line " to avoid this happening you must call us now...."

- well don't bother, its all part of their little game to get you in to their loop to bully you in to paying money you can't afford.

Providing that at some time or other you have told them your financial circumstances, then I would urge you to cut the collection companies out of your life and concentrate on saving the fees - this will all be behind you in the not too distant future.

Good luck.

DD

dojoman

Try not to worry (easier said than done) but I was in your position over 3 years ago. Had a couple of peeps turn up at the door, told them politely to go away;) and both of them said okay and went, I also changed our phone number to get some respite until wI could go BR.

unsure100

debt_doctor wrote: »

Private collectors have no powers at all - all they can do is ask you to pay. It is very rare for a debt company to actually send someone out as that is a real person, being paid, perhaps travelling many miles to see you - that is not cost effective and rarely happens.
But what does happen is that letters come out threatening to turn up - but followed by the line " to avoid this happening you must call us now...."

- well don't bother, its all part of their little game to get you in to their loop to bully you in to paying money you can't afford.

Providing that at some time or other you have told them your financial circumstances, then I would urge you to cut the collection companies out of your life and concentrate on saving the fees - this will all be behind you in the not too distant future.

Good luck.

DD

What sort of mobile phone do you have?

If its and Android or Iphone I would install a call blocker (i.e Mr Number) and you can weed out all calls from debt collectors without the phone ever ringing.
Then I would unplug your home phone (anyone that needs you can contact your mobile)
I wouldnt worry about Mercer at all tbh, I offered to pay them £1 per month (which they had to accept as I didnt give them any other option).

They didnt send anyone round mine and it was literally months before I went BR