Concerned about a letter from Barclays.

ferry

Need some advice please about a letter I have resceived from Barclays following a letter I had sent them stating I am in financial difficulty and offering a 'temporary reduced payment' arrangement on my account until further notice.This was follwoing the advice from StepChange.
My request seems to have ignored as there is no reference to my request and their letter states that they would like full settlement of the overdraft in 14 days.

I'm hoping this is just a standard letter they send out under these circumstances? Clearly I am no positiion to repay in full but the letter sounds quite defininte.

Can anyone please advise on how I should proceed-is this typical of Barclays to do this especially as I have been a good customer since 1986?


Thanks as usual for any advice
F x

Monkeyballs

Hi Ferry,

Not entirely the same situation but when I entered into my DMP I got a similar letter from Barclays but nothing ever came of it and since the DMP repayments started I've had no problem since...

That said, I'd be tempted to call them to discuss what is happening to rule out any issues such as letter not being received, documents crossing in the mail, etc. If it's a case of them not being willing then ask what is likely to happen then call SC and ask for more advice.

Basically try to control the situation instead of worrying about what might be

Keep us posted!

MB

ferry

Excellent advice as usual MB.

I will write to them as I have stated that any communication be done in that way.Just wondering if that may have rattled them as I'm not taking their calls?
Just seems that they are being harsh although I do appreciate that no creditor has to agree new terms or accept my offer.
I have taken steps to set up a standing order and a payment has gone out in a show that I am getting this sorted.

Thanks again

Monkeyballs

Happy to help

Don't take it personally, I'd say 99.99% of all comms are auto generated anyway so it's nothing against you - honest

As for calls coming through, it's a personal thing but what I have always done in the past is taken a couple of calls (to make sure it is who you think is calling) and then told the person on the end of the phone that you do not want to be contacted in any other way than in writing as per your request sent on *date* as anything else will be considered harassment and then ask them for their full name and tell them you are recording it along with the date and time for future reference if required

Keep it all very civil, these calls are (apparently) recorded and usually they get the idea LOL

MB

Puzzcat

I'm with mb on this one, I would either call them or take the call when they ring. I have spoken to most of my creditors and found the majority nice and helpful. Sorts the query out a lot quicker than the postal service!!

Hatecreditors.com

Barclays were one of my creditors in my DMP. The overdraft balance was circa £3,000. The pro rata payment under my DMP was £110 a month. They said it was an unacceptable amount and defaulted me. After that, they passed my account to collections (Barclays internal collections that is) who continued to accept the pro rata payments each month until settled. To be fair, they never charged a penny's interest (although the default was definitely set in stone!)

livingindreamland

I had the most horrid letter from Barclays about a loan with £8000 outstanding after StepChange contacted them about my DMP. It threatened to close all credit accounts and ask for full repayment in 30 days (which to me sounded like my mortgage and a reserve account on the mortgage - which of course I have no hope of paying the full amount).
The outcome after three weeks of sleepless nights, pills from my GP for anxiety - (who was lovely and even offered to write to them for me)etc. I cannot tell you how bad I felt and how much I worried, but then one Saturday morning about 3 weeks later arrived a letter accepting the payment plan and it will be reviewed in 12 months. I have a feeling the horribly worded letter you received like mine was the scariest of default letters. I will admit to crying when I received the nice letter LOL
It will get better, and if anything like us, now we aren't crippling ourselves to make payments we couldn't afford we are probably better of than we have been for years :-)

Monkeyballs

Which is why I always suggest contacting your creditors before they contact you first

Ok, so some might be a little "awkward" but stick to your guns and state the facts of what are happening... Most appreciate you getting in touch and tell you things like "you'll get a letter telling you xyz but it's automatic just ignore it".

It's not for everyone but if you ever ask me it's the advice I give

Ciao!

MB