Wonga use fake law firm

stalkah

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28015456


So it appears Wonga had used a fake law firm to threaten customers.


They're forced to pay a total of £2.6m compensation to 45,000 customers.


It doesn't say how you apply or if you'll automatically be given the compensation?

Tixy

It says they will start contacting customers to offer compensation. So they should write to anyone who was affected.

Lets hope those people don't just bin the letter from wonga without reading assuming its junk mail. I would guess that those people who don't reply to the 'offer' of compensation probably don't get any.

stalkah

The news article updated after I posted the link so now has more information. I have changed address so might contact them because I'm sure I had one of these letters back in 2009

beamerguy

Wonga used Fake information to harass people for money ??If we used fake information to obtain money we would be prosecuted for fraud. The FCA should do their job properly and take legal action against the directors of Wonga who must face action for thier fraudulent activities


THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE OPERATED BY WONGA AND IT'S DIRECTORS

stalkah

Looking into the numbers it doesn't appear as if people will be getting much either maybe £50?

Sinhanada

This is the best article I have read! I actually still have the email they originally sent me: The problem being, I had been contacting them as I was on a DMP at the time and they refused to acknowledge it - hey ho! I for one am looking forward to what they offer! an initial £645 repayment ballooned over this amount!

Mr X
Take Notice:
Amount You Owe £1,303.21.
Date You Must Pay by: 12 pm on 11 Jan 2010
We have been instructed by Wonga to recover from you, a debt of £1,303.21. Our clients have advised us that despite several attempts to secure payment of the above noted debt, you have failed to make good on your contractual obligations.
Your protracted failure to pay this debt has led to the addition of a default fee of £50. Continued late payment may cost you even more, so it remains in your interest to deal with this matter today. Contractual interest continues to accrue on this debt and every day that you delay will result in you paying more than you need to.
Our job is to help you deal with this problem, or in the event that you fail to deal with this serious matter, to ensure that this debt is recovered by taking legal action against you or to collect it by any other lawful means.
Take our help and call us today. Our number is 0844 842 9110
Act Now:
Contact us immediately to arrange repayment of £1,303.21. You can make your payemnt by debit or credit card. Remember: Late Payment Costs More. Talk to us and we can help.
Yours sincerley,
Barker and Lowe
docref[A7](DCA1)

Tixy

The FCA press release is here http://www.fca.org.uk/news/wonga-redress-unfair-debt-collection-practices with a little more information on the agreeement.

Personally I think the FCA is doing well so far in the role it has taken over from the OFT (with regards to payday loans and also debt collection practices etc).

Sinhanada

Thanks Tixy, very good read again. I certainly admit I defaulted on the accounts but I did try and keep in contact and give details of everything that was going on. At the same time I was making token payments as the DMP was being setup.

I'll feedback when I hear from them!

beamerguy

Sinhanada wrote: »

This is the best article I have read! I actually still have the email they originally sent me: The problem being, I had been contacting them as I was on a DMP at the time and they refused to acknowledge it - hey ho! I for one am looking forward to what they offer! an initial £645 repayment ballooned over this amount!

Mr X
Take Notice:
Amount You Owe £1,303.21.
Date You Must Pay by: 12 pm on 11 Jan 2010
We have been instructed by Wonga to recover from you, a debt of £1,303.21. Our clients have advised us that despite several attempts to secure payment of the above noted debt, you have failed to make good on your contractual obligations.
Your protracted failure to pay this debt has led to the addition of a default fee of £50. Continued late payment may cost you even more, so it remains in your interest to deal with this matter today. Contractual interest continues to accrue on this debt and every day that you delay will result in you paying more than you need to.
Our job is to help you deal with this problem, or in the event that you fail to deal with this serious matter, to ensure that this debt is recovered by taking legal action against you or to collect it by any other lawful means.
Take our help and call us today. Our number is 0844 842 9110
Act Now:
Contact us immediately to arrange repayment of £1,303.21. You can make your payemnt by debit or credit card. Remember: Late Payment Costs More. Talk to us and we can help.
Yours sincerley,
Barker and Lowe
docref[A7](DCA1)

AMAZING A FAKE NAME "BARKER AND LOWE"
Doubt it is registered as a UK company


I have never used Wonga but what they practice has always been a disgust to me. I think they should be closed down as they do more damage than good.


However do remember that they have harassed you using fake information. I would invoice them for harassment (making it the same amount you still owe, if anything) If everyone invoiced them for harassment, the Wonga wheel would grind to a halt
If the government will not take legal action against Wonga, there are other ways to skin a cat

stalkah

My estimate wasn't a bad guess


"A flat rate £50 settlement offer to all 45,000 customers sent letters for distress and inconvenience."

Anthorn

beamerguy wrote: »

I have never used Wonga but what they practice has always been a disgust to me. I think they should be closed down as they do more damage than good.

Not at all: Pay-day lenders provide a service for the unbanked and for those who have maxed their overdraft and/or credit card limit(s) and need to pay a bill urgently.

What I find amazing is that people borrow money they can't afford to pay back and then stamp and scweam and scweam as they allege that they have been taken advantage of.

You borrow the money and you have to pay it back. End of story.