Debt collector letters - note to the regulars

Computersaysno

The point has been made before but bears repeating.....

Most 'new' people that come on here just want the easiest way to deal with their PPC invoice.

They are not interested in joining the hard-core anti-PPC members on here who will happily write to everyone trying to bring the PPC's to their knees or drive them out of business; they just want to make the PPC go away.

So giving someone a list of people to write to [store, landowner, PPC, POPLA, BPA, DVLA, MP, SRA, CCA, etc, etc, etc] is great if they want to take on the PPC full-time; but for most they just need the simplest solution to their problem.

I was an advocate of 'ignore, ignore, ignore some more', even when POPLA came in...but I changed my opinion when I read some of the more considered posts on the subject. I do believe that 'ignore' is still an option that people have [esp for many PPCs who don't do court]...but they need to be aware of the facts and it's not for everyone.

POPLA appeals and the myriad ways of dealing with PPC letters etc really has made it much more difficult for us to get the message across to the public, and I'm convinced that people are coming to this board, reading 'stuff' and thinking 'too complicated, can't be bothered, easier to pay the £60'.

Stroma

That is up to them, but there are 3 ways to deal with this and I do post that

1) appeal
2) ignore
3) pay

That is it, as long as each is explained that is all we can do. If people want the easiest path, that is the most expensive path and they should pay. The next easiest is to ignore as you can do that with no effort, but then you get a load of letters, some of which could be county court claims.

By writing some letters they could nip this in the bud, and lets see how long that would take

1) appeal to the parking company - 15 minutes
2) appeal to popla (copy and paste) - 30 minutes
3) make complaints retailers/service providers - 15 minutes

Cost
1 Hour of time in writing letters
£1 in stamps and stationary - free if dealt via email
1-2 hours doing research

That is it, people spent more time registering and posting on here. If people want an easy option as I said pay! Then they are free to do what they want, but then why take the trouble to come here in the first place?

zzzLazyDaisy

Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment. I have taken everyone's comments on board, including those who have reminded me that 'ignore' is still a valid option. I will be off-forum for a couple of weeks, but when I get back, I will do a step by step 'options and actions' post for people who are outside the time for appealing but haven't yet received an LBCCC, and are seeking advice about what they can do at that stage in the process (in a similar vein to the LBCCC thread, but obviously much simpler).

Unless anyone has any major objections, I think it is also a good idea to advise people to submit a late appeal as a matter of course (since the deadline is self imposed by PPCs and has become a source of much wriggling and contention at the court end of the spectrum).

At least this will give us a 'guidance thread' for us to refer people to, and save us repeating the same advice over and over.

Any other contributions are welcome. I'll pick up when I get back.

Daisy

NessasMum

Daisy thanks for the letter which I am using. one thing though, the link you have added to the letter does not go anywhere!!!

Gryphon005

Here's the updated link for the Practice Direction on Pre-action Conduct:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/pd_pre-action_conduct
I know the concept of "ignore-ignore" is a valid one, but it doesn't sit easily with people who feel they must "do something". Daisy's template letters fill this hole with the added benefit of letting the debt-collecter know that this particular prospect is "clued-up" and unlikely to submit meekly to their bullying threats.

Stroma

Just thought i'd bump this thread back up so people can take out of it what they wish. Hope Daisy comes back soon, her input is very valued here.

Coupon-mad

And we should mention the option to report a DC to the Financial Ombudsman (one form to download and a complaint is lodged, and it's free):

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=63862035&postcount=449

HTH

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi just a quick note to say thanks for the additional comments! It will probably be a 'phased return to duties' but I should be posting again over the next few days

Dx

swellchaser

Hi

This is my first post on this forum although not my first visit as I have had (plenty) of occasion to pop over and gather more info to feed a 'little' thread over on FBF

In November, after pointing out to Armtrac they'd not followed the correct procedures for Practice Direction - I was introduced to the delight that is receiving unwanted mail from DR+.

Someone pointed me at Daisy's letter, so I thought I'd 'reply' with the promise that if they didn't desist I would complain to the CSA.

(Bear with - this isn't a hijack)

Anyway, the need to complain to the CSA arose and a case file was begun. Form filled & sent and so I waited.

Bottomline? At some point during the process DR+ have terminated their membership with the CSA and so the complaint cannot now be pursued!

Just thought a heads up would be useful.

Stroma

Thought they had to be a member to be a debt collector?