Grant Thornton and my IVA

cardomon

My IVA was paid to Tenon fully paid up in May 2012. Then transfered to GT in the September following the take-over.
Since then I have had a number of arguments on the phone with them regarding them trying to change my terms and conditions of the IVA, mostly with them trying to claim back my PPI while taking a big chunk of it for themselves. I have told them I will renounce any claim I have to PPI before I will let them profit off my debt.
Today I recieved a letter saying they had be trying to contact me regarding changing my T's & C's. They could not contact me, I am in arrears, IVA might fail, bla bla bla. This is despite having a letter from them just a couple of weeks ago telling me I had paid up in full, and speaking to them on the phone again yesterday.
But its ok I spoken with one of their call centre people and they have sent a load of these letters out my mistake ! So no need to worry. This letter actually mentioned Tenon by name.
So I don't know what they're doing, if it was just a fishing exercise, a genuine mistake or if they are just trying to worry people who are holding out against them changing the T's and C's. Whichever it is Grant Thornton sink ever lower in my estimation.

ponderer

Im still in an iva which has been moved to gt. I had the same phonecalls pestering me to change my terms so they could claim back ppi and thus keep 39% of it. they started ringing or should I say pestering at least 5 times a day even on a bank holiday. i told them i did not want to change and was basically told i would find it difficult when my iva ended as it would take longer to close. i really did not appreciate their threatening attitude to try and get more money off people when that money would be better off going to their debt. i didn't give in.

cardomon

With hindsight I wish I'd gone BR. It would have been over by now. This is the route I will take if Grant Thornton do fail the IVA. As the proud owner of almost nothing apart from a £700 car I don't have much to lose.

Further to their letter I have written to them asking them to confirm in writing that their letter was sent in error

cjmri

Hi cardoman and ponderer,

Your comments caught my attention when I googled 'Student loans in IVA Grant Thronton'. This reason I decided to search them on the Internet is because:-
1. I filled in a survey with Step Change debt charity website and and referred to GT. I received a call from them to arrange a telephone appointment the first person I spoke with didn't know who step change were. This person had no clue why they were even ringing me. Naturally I felt uneasy.
2. I had the telephone appointment today. I was advised that one problem I may face re the IVA is that the Student Loans Co. may not agree to the IVA and that may prevent me getting one. After the telephone appointment I googled this issue re my student loan and found several results quoting legislation saying that student loans no longer have to be included in IVAs since 6 April 2010.

Needless to say I am not filled with confidence in GT so far and in fact feel nervous that anyone I consult for advice may just be wishing to make money from whatever insolvency route I take. Can either of you advise what company I should approach for help?

ponderer

Go to the unbiased debt advice companies. there will be some details on this website and get a few ideas from them first then have a good think before making any decision.

UpToMyNeckInIt

I think IVA companies generally are entitled to any PPI claim that may materialise - particularly if you have not received your cert of completion. Plenty of advice on this subject here and on other forums.

The only other option is to reclaim the PPI yourself, then hand the lot over, that way GT only take their standard 15% cut. If you don’t cooperate, GT may fail your IVA, and you possibly face the prospect of bankruptcy, and another 6 Years of naff credit rating.

Yet another IVA case being passed to GT by Stepchange - not the impartial charity that they make out to be eh?.

In my experience, I’m afraid with IVA’s there is no such thing as ‘unbiased debt advice companies’. Stepchange and the other debt ‘charities’ are sponsored by the creditors, so more often than not will suggest a DMP, thus preserving their interests. If they do suggest an IVA, they seem to refer you to a private company: Used to be PayPlan, but now GT seem to be in favour.

It has even been reported that some CAB offices work ‘in partnership’ with GT.

No issue then with choosing a private company of your own – providing you have researched IVA’s and are certain that it the right route for you. Bear in mind though, that IVA’s are profitable, so don’t be surprised if these companies give you the hard sell. Just don’t go with one that is an up-front fee charger. Plenty out there that are not.

If you have no significant assets to protect: Property, expensive car etc. Definitely look at bankruptcy.

Best of luck to all of you.

cheesedoffwithdebt

cardomon wrote: »

My IVA was paid to Tenon fully paid up in May 2012. Then transfered to GT in the September following the take-over.
Since then I have had a number of arguments on the phone with them regarding them trying to change my terms and conditions of the IVA, mostly with them trying to claim back my PPI while taking a big chunk of it for themselves. I have told them I will renounce any claim I have to PPI before I will let them profit off my debt.
Today I recieved a letter saying they had be trying to contact me regarding changing my T's & C's. They could not contact me, I am in arrears, IVA might fail, bla bla bla. This is despite having a letter from them just a couple of weeks ago telling me I had paid up in full, and speaking to them on the phone again yesterday.
But its ok I spoken with one of their call centre people and they have sent a load of these letters out my mistake ! So no need to worry. This letter actually mentioned Tenon by name.
So I don't know what they're doing, if it was just a fishing exercise, a genuine mistake or if they are just trying to worry people who are holding out against them changing the T's and C's. Whichever it is Grant Thornton sink ever lower in my estimation.

I am not an accountant, but do work with them, and nothing regarding GT surprises me really (I don't work there though!).
Tenon by the way have gone bust, and GT seem to be trying to run a personal insolvency ( as opposed to corporate) arm on a shoestring, so you are getting inexperienced call centre staff and naturally a feeling of unease.

I would have thought that the best course of action is to insist on speaking to your IP there and ask for an explanation- explain you had thought the IVA was over and their communications are confusing you. All you need is a clear explanation of what they require, and why they need it surely. Sounds like now they have taken it on they are applying their own method which is to check for PPI so as Up to my Neck in It has said, you do need to co-operate to get your completion certificate.
I'd suggest you write to GT, and ask for a telephone appointment with the IP. Stress you are not arguing with their process but everything is confusing, you need to know where you stand and what they are doing because you want to make sure the records they have taken over are fully up to date.

GT are going to have to get their act together though!

cardomon

Needless to say after writing to them I have neither heard from them by mail or telephone since.

cardomon

cardomon wrote: »

Needless to say after writing to them I have neither heard from them by mail or telephone since.

A month on since I wote to them and I have had no form of contact from this awful company at all. I shall give them until November it will be 18 months since the payments finished. I think its then going to be time to look for some legal advice.

UpToMyNeckInIt

...You might be better off seeking legal advice after you have first tried the formal complaints procedure.

If GT are not helpful in advising you how to do this, there is good information on the 'insolvency service' website on how to complain about your IP.

Good luck.

kimbers00

!!!!Hello!I have just come across this forum whilst doing research on Grant Thornton and its been loads of help already but I had an IVA with a company called money dept and credit. I completed my IVA Aug 2012, 14 months ago and I have a completion certificate to prove it. This month I have been receiving calls daily from Grant Thornton saying that they have taken over from money dept and credit and that my IVA is still not concluded as PPI reclaim was never done. And it doesn't matter what I say to them about the completion paper work I have they will not take no for an answer.!As far as Im concerned if I was to collect PPI money it should now be mine, this company had nothing to do with my IVA I've never delt with them as they bought the company after my IVA was completed. Im at my witts end this was such a stressful time of my life I thought it was all over and done with some time ago and now its a daily battle again.!Does any one know if they can make me claim and pay it to them. ?

Kim