a Debt Collection Agent visting me?

aaroncaz

I,ve had a letter saying one is to visit me. Do they turn up? do I have to let him in? Sorry if this posted on wrong board!!

RAS

Hi

You need to post up more details.

it could be a court ordered bailiff for Council Tax - difficult

Or it could be some DCA that has bought statute barred debt and is trying to frighten you into paying what you no longer owe.

So, to whom was the debt payable for what?
Who sent you the letter?
What previous letter/notice of court proceedings have you received?
When was the debt incurred

CLAPTON

debt collectors have absolutely no legal powers at all.

you don't have to let them in and you dont have to talk to them.. tell them to go away and that you will only deal with the issues if they write to you.

and in fact its pretty rare that they actually call.. too expensive for them and thats its essentially a scare tactic.

do you owe this money?

LandyAndy

Bailiffs can't do anything without a court order. If there's no court order its just a try on. They probably won't turn up. If they do send them away.

aaroncaz

Yes, I do owe money, its too a credit card from abt 3 years ago, i have not rang them yet, am a bit undecided/worried as what to do, i have a creditcard/loan with bank,worried how this will affect them (3 creidcards!)and am not working at mo, though am looking!

RAS

Hi

You really would be better getting your head out of the sand, but..

Do not ring them up. thety will try to get you to pay more than you are able.

Firstly get yourself an appointment with CAB, CCCS (the real one) or payplan, who all give free debt advice.

Then write to them, tell them that you are not working, unable to pay at present and are trying to sort things out with CAb/CCCS or whatever. Send £1 as a token payment. Tell that you want to restrict all communication to letter.

Then put up an SOA on here (see southern scouser's stickie) and people will help you

aaroncaz

Thank you, that sounds very sensible, sorry to ask, but whats a SOA? And is it ok to send a cheque?

aaroncaz

the debt collection ppl are Lowell.

aaroncaz

sorry, but whats CCCS?

RAS

Hi

Look here

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1103204730,72152,#counselling

and here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280

Also type Lowell in the search box and see what other people think about them.

Burlesque_Babe

Have to say, a few years back I did make payments to a debt collector on behalf of the Natwest and Intrim. He was great, bizarrely enough. He was understanding and fine if I missed a payment or change the amount. He also helped with full and final settlement. Elderly chap and quite pleasant and just doing his job.

so, whilst I wouldn't ever say it is a good thing to have happen, I felt it easier to talk to him than a script reading robot on the phone.