Debt collection

Southwales_2

Hi all,

I am new to the site but thought I would join as needed some clarification.

I owe a loan to a company and have fallen behind with repayments. I have been left numerous voicemails and text messages. Some of these messages have been very detailed regarding missed payments etc.

Does anyone know the law or have any links where I could see what companies are legally allowed to text message me or leave on a voicemail? Surely they must be governed as to what information they can leave?

Can anyone please advise.

Many thanks

Apples2

Are you actually talking to them or just burying your head hoping there is a way to avoid it altogether?

Some lenders are better than others but pretty much all of them will respond better if you are communicating with them.
Without knowing who the lender is, we don't know which category they fall into.

Some of the worse will call your place of work and discuss your debt problems with colleagues, they aren't suposed to but they do.

Is it the lender chasing you or debt collectors?

dealer_wins

So the OP has broken his agreement, yet upset the loan company may have broken theirs. Confused.com??

Gordon_Hose

If you've given them a number to call/text you on they can leave what information they like.

Southwales_2

The lender left me a very detailed voicemail that advised my direct debit has been returned, coupled with amounts etc. This was picked up by my wife who got very worried.

I am neither burying my head or in any financial difficulty, I have been away on holiday and my bank cancelled direct debits due to a fraudulent transaction. I was just looking on here to see what information they could legally send me via text or through a voicemail. I just feel that these could be picked up by a third party as they are not speaking direct to myself.

Gordon_Hose

It's not the loan companies fault your wife picked up the message, especially if you gave them the number to contact you on.

Southwales_2

I'm not disputing that. All I am trying to find out is what are loan companies legally allowed to leave for customers on answering machines and text messages. Obviously if a message is left on a home telephone number any number of people would be able to pick this up. I was always under the impression that they could not leave any information that could result in your personal information being shared with a third party.

To save any further confusion, this is what I am trying to work out:

What information can a loan company legally leave for me by means of an answerphone message or text message. Replies saying 'anything' are really very unhelpful. Why does this site make me feel as if I am being judged?

DCFC79

Southwales wrote: »

I just feel that these could be picked up by a third party as they are not speaking direct to myself.

What third party ?
You mean your wife right ?
You gave them your number to call you.

Its not the lender at fault but you.

dotdash79

I would expect a more detailed message on my personal mobile than a home line, but more information on my home line than my work contact.

Gordon_Hose

Southwales wrote: »

I'm not disputing that. All I am trying to find out is what are loan companies legally allowed to leave for customers on answering machines and text messages. Obviously if a message is left on a home telephone number any number of people would be able to pick this up. I was always under the impression that they could not leave any information that could result in your personal information being shared with a third party.

To save any further confusion, this is what I am trying to work out:

What information can a loan company legally leave for me by means of an answerphone message or text message. Replies saying 'anything' are really very unhelpful. Why does this site make me feel as if I am being judged?

For the 3rd time, if you gave them the number to contact you on, they can leave as much or as little info as they like.

Sinhanada

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

For the 3rd time, if you gave them the number to contact you on, they can leave as much or as little info as they like.

Exactly right.

This may help you:

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

They can contact you on numbers you have left but in reasonable hours and not outside. It could be argued that they should not leave messages on your home phone, but only if you have told them not to.

From what you have mentioned on here they are acting within their rights and through the correct guidelines