iS IT LEGAL??

sammy115

wisbech_lad wrote: »

Sorry, don’t see the outrage. Seems just a cheeky way of trying to get hold of you. Presumably OP isn’t answering the phone to the debt collector/ bailiff, so he called up next door, and asked them to leave you a message to call “Gary” (which could well be his name), and you did.

Why would we presume that the OP isn't answering the phone/door to a debt collector/bailiff?

tpurch

sammy115 wrote: »

Why would we presume that the OP isn't answering the phone/door to a debt collector/bailiff?

:rolleyes: ermmm.... because nobody answered when he called! :rotfl: correct me if I am wrong but wisbech_lad didn't say that OP was there, just that they hadn't answered.

On the other hand, i guess it implies that!

looby75

tpurch wrote: »

:rolleyes: ermmm.... because nobody answered when he called! :rotfl: correct me if I am wrong but wisbech_lad didn't say that OP was there, just that they hadn't answered.

On the other hand, i guess it implies that!

The OP said they got the message when they came home from work....how is that ignoring a call/knock at the door

tpurch

looby75 wrote: »

The OP said they got the message when they came home from work....how is that ignoring a call/knock at the door

I am not expert on such matters but the reason for saying that OP is ignoring the debt collectors/bailiffs is that debt collectors don't just turn up without trying to resolve the debt issue other ways first. i.e. Company tries to get you to pay up, if it don't happen its passed to a Debt Collection Agency. The debt Collection Agency then Phones, Writes, Threatens also sorts of things........then sends someone around to try and get the money that way. Of course if its a bailiff then its been to court and I am fairly sure that you would get letters/phone calls from them too.

Personally, I didn't take wisbech_lad comments literally, but have to agree that there is nothing outageous about someone calling at your neighbours and asking them to pass on a message to "call Gary Urgently", provided of course he didn't pass any further information to the neighbour......

Yes, I can understand to some degree that "NO-BRAIN" is not happy....I assume he had no idea who Gary was when given the message! but, I also think its safe to assume that the debt collector/bailiff has also tried a number of ways to contact OP, before resorting to knocking on the door.........

looby75

why did he need to contact the neighbour at all, why couldn't the caller have written a note and pushed it through the OP's door.

If the OP had been avoiding calls/letter why on earth would he then respond to a strange message passed on from a neighbour from someone he didn't know? Just doesn't make sense to me.

tpurch

looby75,

Yes, I can see your point, but if letters/notes are being ignored (AND I AM NOT SAYING THEY ARE) then if you are cunning you could go to a neighbour and say, I called in a number X and he is not at home, can you ask him to call Gary URGENTLY......

so neighbour passes on message, but as OP doesn't know its the debt collector/baliff so OP calls number. Oops its the debt collector/baliff!!!


I am not saying that is how its happend or agreeing with whats happend, only saying that asking a neighbour to call you isn't illegal!

AlanD_3

Ooooooook I think we are getting very close to judging folks here which is very much against the point of this board. I have ignored creditors, I don't feel good about it but I have. Many folks on this board have too, it is part of the reason we are on this board and its sub-board.

Nothing has been said specifically but there is a very real undercurrent of judgementalism I am not, personally, happy with.

ALL that said I do tend to agree that what they did could well be legal. Just giving a name to call doesn't give anything away and sounds like a new tactic that everyone should be aware of.

Not pleasant but I would also guess not illegal.

Alan

tpurch

Alan,

Thanks for the comments. Sorry if people think I am being judgemental. It really wasn't meant to come across that way.

You are of course quite right!

Appologies if I have offended anyone. :beer:

NO-BRAIN

Hi,

Thanks for all your discussions, I just got home from work again and found it quite interesting reading. Can i point out i have not avoided anybody and have well and truly been confronting my debt for over 6 years now since i gave up my home and car etc etc.

This is a debt which was from a loan which was secured on my last home (which i sold when in debt) we requested a settlement figure but they never responded, so in desperation and worry of spending the money we sent a cheque for an estimated amount which was more than the original amount ever borrowed...stupid i know but was only 19!

They cashed the cheque and still never respondsed (first national bank) then about 9 months later we were contacted by asset link financial who said that there was still 600 quid outstanding and they had added charges interest etc now we owed them 1000 quid. had 2 young children and numerous other difficulties so have been on a payment arrangement with them for about 3-4 years now but lately they are chasing me for a financial statement. It p****s me off to be honest as i think that they have had enough out of me already and am trying to get on with my life debt-free and am studying to be a teacher.

So i am not ignoring them, i make my payments and i have not got a home phone, to my knowledge they haven't sent me any letters since january and that was just a 'why haven't you posted it back yet letter?' the guy was a collection agent for their company...not sure if thats the same as a bailiff or not but quite frankly, giving my name and address to any odd person who lives in the same street as me is still giving out my information without my consent...(i live in quite a rough area by the way) and i think it is purely because he didn't want to drive 200 miles to where i live.

Any info was he a bailiff or what? i have never been to court regarding my debts
thanks

NO-BRAIN

smashedbooboo wrote: »

Morning and welcome to MSE. Are you sure its a bailiff. This sounds more like the tactic of a debt collector. Did they give the name of the company of bailiffs when you rang them. This sort of thing opens up all sorts. Data protection act. He should not be giving out personal details to your neighbours. Do you have a ccj on anything. . You can also complain to the courts about the bailiff. Did you get a name from him. If he was a bailiff DO NOT LET THEM IN. Can you give us a bit more info hun. Thanks

Thanks for such a pleasant response, (some were a wee bit judgemental but i forgive them) I have provided further info and would look forward to reading and further advice you could offer.
Kind regards,
T