black horse arrears home visit

sfm82

Hello,

I was hoping somebody would be able to let me know what I should expect or how I should prepare for a home visit from black horse with whom I have arrears for a personal loan.

I have been paying reduced payments for the last year but have not missed any of the reduced payments.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

RAS

Have they said thay are visiting or is the Home Team calling?

Call means a phone call.

sfm82

I called to rearranged my monthly payments and they put me through to a guy to whom my account had been assigned and he said that he needed to arrange a face to face so he's coming to my home this Wednesday evening to talk to me about how to take things forward.

matttye

sfm82 wrote: »

I called to rearranged my monthly payments and they put me through to a guy to whom my account had been assigned and he said that he needed to arrange a face to face so he's coming to my home this Wednesday evening to talk to me about how to take things forward.

Do you want the home visit? You're under no obligation to discuss things face to face. The Office of Fair Trading guidance on debt collecting says that companies should not ignore debtors' reasonable requests to discuss things in a certain way (e.g. in writing).

RAS

mattye is correct; they have no right to a face to face meeting. OFT guidelines.

I would suggest your remove the common law right to vist and tell them to remove your phone mumber and communicate in writing only.

matttye

Just to backup what I said in post #4:

"Examples of unfair or improper practices are as follows:

k. ignoring or disregarding debtors' reasonable requests in respect of when, where and how to contact them"

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/consultations/OFT664Rev_Debt_collection_g1.pdf

sfm82

It was just a bit of a surprise as I have paid every month and even increased my payments three months ago.

Is the purpose of this face to face to talk to me about my income and outgoings and how much I can afford to pay? I do this every three months with them so I dont get why he needs to come to my home. Can I just rearrange my next three months payments with them over the phone again once I cancel my appointment?

matttye

sfm82 wrote: »

It was just a bit of a surprise as I have paid every month and even increased my payments three months ago.

Is the purpose of this face to face to talk to me about my income and outgoings and how much I can afford to pay? I do this every three months with them so I dont get why he needs to come to my home. Can I just rearrange my next three months payments with them over the phone again once I cancel my appointment?

It's impossible to say with the limited information we have, but face to face visits usually always end up in them trying to pressure you into paying more. If they wanted to discuss something they can do so over the phone.

A lot of people find it harder to say no when there's someone speaking to them face to face.

sfm82

See thats what I'm afraid of. I already pay every penny I have spare to them theres really no need for him to try and up what I pay as I physically cannot!

thanks for everyones advice. I shall call them tomorrow and cancel the appointment hopefully theyll let me arrange my future payments with them over the phone as I have been.

happy_bunny_2

sfm82 wrote: »

See thats what I'm afraid of. I already pay every penny I have spare to them theres really no need for him to try and up what I pay as I physically cannot!

thanks for everyones advice. I shall call them tomorrow and cancel the appointment hopefully theyll let me arrange my future payments with them over the phone as I have been.

Have a nose through this:
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/consultations/OFT664Rev_Debt_collection_g1.pdf

I would only deal in writing, as they will also pressure you on phone and tell you stuff to scare you that they would never write to you.

harveybobbles

Only the Police acting under Oath, the Postie and people lost asking for directions are allowed at your front door without invite.

But, as you have made an appointment this is now a grey area.

Who is the company who is now acting on behalf of BH?