Paying off a debt, but they make it difficult

BorgCymru

Recently I became a victim of ATOS and now have a sizeable cut in my income. I also have the bedroom tax to pay. As such I had to implement some cut backs and the phone and internet was removed/Cancelled.

I was made to move flats due to disability and took my phone and internet with me. But due to financial cutbacks had to cancel it. They said because I had moved they had put me on a 12 months contract. I was on a 30 day rolling contract before. I probably agreed to this by not listening to all the speal and sales talk.

Anyway just before the bank holiday I received a wrongly address letter demanding £97 in 14 days. How they got the address wrong I don't quite know as I've been paying them for the last 5 year and they seemed to find me when it was bill time. I might be inclined to say it was deliberate.

Now due to being in hospital for a few days and the bank holiday I'm not sure if I'm still within the 14 days. I can't get through on a pay phone as there is always a 30 min waiting time to get through to their financial department.

I get £58* a week now and have to pay nearly £24 of that towards rent and council tax. * This 'may' change after appeal.

What I would like to know is do they 'have' to accept a reasonable amount per week. ( As in a fair percentage of MY income) I was going to offer £1 a week, that's nearly 20% on my income.

If I make this offer can they then send this debt onto a debt collector without taking me to court ?


Thank you


Plusnet is the company if anyone has had dealings with them.

oldsmokie

This isn't a priority debt and based on your figures the most you should offer if £1 per month. Don't deal with this by phone. Write to them explaining your circumstances and making a offer. It's not clear from your post whether you are still receiving a service. If you are, you should cancel it if you can.

BorgCymru

No I had to cancel my phone line and internet

BorgCymru

If anyone has got any 'legal' speak I can add to a letter to them that would be helpful.

FireWyrm

No 'legal speak' necessary....

Dear Scumbags (change as appropriate)

Further to your recent correspondence of <date> concerning an outstanding debt of <amount>, I am writing to advise you of the following.

Due to unfortunate circumstances and ongoing health issues, I am currently in receipt of various state benefits (list them if you want). This means that my income is now approximately £58 per week and of this, council tax and rent are classed as priority and are payable.

Please be advised that I am therefore unable to assist you with your request to pay <amount> by <date> as I am sure you can surmise. To this end, I will pay your organisation (name of it) a token sum of £1 per month until further notice and this arrangement will commence from <date>.

I regret that this course of action has become necessary but I have no means to service this debt for the foreseeable future. I also regret that due to these very same circumstances, I have no phone or internet and thus request that all correspondence on the subject is conducted in writing.

Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience caused and trust that this letter has answered your inquiry.

Yours Sincerely

<You>

BorgCymru

Can anyone confirm the 'You can't hassle me for 30 days now I've contacted a debt advice group' rule ?

FireWyrm

BorgCymru wrote: »

Can anyone confirm the 'You can't hassle me for 30 days now I've contacted a debt advice group' rule ?

There is no such rule. They can 'hassle' you all they want until you specifically request that they do so only in writing. If they persist after that, you can slap them with a complaint to the OFT. They will usually back down after that.

BorgCymru

Found it. Will post link as well for others to find.

Stop debt collectors harrassing you for 30 days
These non-profit agencies are also the ideal people to go to if you're being harassed and bullied for payments by debt collection agencies.
An agreement between the Government and Credit Services Association, the body that represents debt collecting agents (see its Code of Practice), gives new power that guarantees debt collectors won't contact you for at least 30 days, provided you've sought debt help or, since July 2011, can show you are trying to repay your debts using a self-help tool.
The debt counselling service will inform collectors, who'll then give you a month's breathing space to get yourself on a better footing.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan

BorgCymru

Letter send and also e mails via Facebook.

Thanks