DRS Debt nightmares!!!

Catsrus2306

Hello everyone

I recently fell behind with my Vodafone bill as my Dad had died and paying for a funeral seemed to put other bills at the back of my mind. Last week I received a letter from DRS who say they are now in charge of my account, so I ring to arrange a payment plan, after stating I must be true to my financial commitments I offered £50pm. The woman I spoke to said it wasn't a satisfactory amount as my debt was incredibly 'serious'. I also did not like the fact they don't use direct debits and just take an automatic payment off my card.

This week I have had 10 missed calls on my home phone and also letters telling me a doorstep visit will happen.

I am willing to pay this debt however I just want reassurance that I should be allowed to pay what I feel and also not be harassed!

Please help! Thanks in advance! [COLOR="rgb(65, 105, 225)"][/COLOR]

Tixy

I would write to them to set out again how much you can afford to pay towards the debt. I would say in the letter that you will be paying by standing order and ask them for either a standing order for or their bank details and reference to use so you can set up a standing order.
And I would also include in the letter that you require all future communication to be in writing.

Template in a moment...
edit - add sections from the letter below to your offer of payment
Harassment by telephone - possible letter and citations

Catsrus2306

Thank you!!! Can I also state that they were harassing me with letters too? X

Tixy

How many letters have they sent you and how frequently?
It is acceptable for them to try to make contact with you over an oustanding debt.

If, after you have set up a repayment plan and commenced payments, they continued to frequently write to you to put pressure on you to increase your payment then you may be able to make a complaint regarding harrasment.

happy_bunny_2

How much do you owe?

I wouldn't give them your card details. As said, standing order. If they refuse, won't look good on them refusing payment. Do everything in writing.

[Deleted User]

Firstly, a Vodafone debt is not 'incredibly serious'. Write and tell them you can only offer £5 per month. Your original offer of £50 was far too high, and leads them to suspect they can push you for much more. If they apply for a ccj (unlikely), they would be unlikely to get much more than a fiver a month if you are in a bad financial position. Stand firm and make sure you only deal in writing. these dca scum are trained to put pressure on debtors via phone calls, so avoid at all costs.

Catsrus2306

Ok thanks all, the debt is £520! I dont even know why but I just feel so angered that they treat me like this! I will write to them asking to do a standing order, automatic payments always seem to fishy to me!

Catsrus2306

Btw, they say when I ask to pay online that I can do so longing into my vodafone account online which makes me feel even more concered who am I exactly paying!

happy_bunny_2

Catsrus2306 wrote: »

Btw, they say when I ask to pay online that I can do so longing into my vodafone account online which makes me feel even more concered who am I exactly paying!

They are basically working for (or are part of) Vodafone. If you pay,they get commission. Hence the high £50 tactic. On a debt that size, that's a joke.

Vodafone

Hi Catsrus2306,

Thanks for making me aware of this.

So I can take a closer look at things, email me with your details via the link in our profile here.

All you need to do is copy and paste the link into your web browser and it'll take you to the Contact us form on our website. To make sure it reaches me, quote the code WRT135 - MSE in the subject line.

Once sent, you'll receive an automated reply with a reference number. Post back with this and I’ll check I've received it.

Kind regards,

Lee

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Vodafone UK

Catsrus2306

Hi Lee here is ref number #7645934