Creditor wants proof of my depression.

debtfreedesciple

One of my creditors, Argos, have not reduced any of my interest etc. I have written to them, to explain that it is causing me great distress, and that I am suffering with anxiety and depression.
They wrote back saying that they want proof. I discussed it with my GP, and gave Argos permission to talk to my GP. However, Argos say that it has to be in writing.
So, do I pay the £45 to get a letter from my GP, only to probably have Argos reply and say that it's not enough information etc and then I have to get another letter, at a cost of £45, or is there another route I can take.
I have since received another letter from Argos, saying that they haven't received any medical information from me.
I just don't know what to do.

fatbelly

Does your GP have to charge £45?

Do you have anyone else who is working with you who can write a note without ripping you off?

Do you already have anything in writing that mentions depression? What about a prescription list?

What exactly are you trying to achieve here? A write-off? Payments of £1 per month? A pro-rata payment below the contractual amount?

debtfreedesciple

Hi Fatbelly,
I am on a DMP with Step Change.

FireWyrm

Well, if they had a penny for everyone who claimed to be suffering from depression, then they would be richer than they are. I'm sure you can see their point of view on this. One of the reason why women have such trouble on Tube trains when pregnant despite displaying appropriate London Transport approved badges is that those badges are easy to get hold of without proof of a condition and no one believes the badge. The same applies here.

GPs charge £45 for a letter and that is not entirely unreasonable. Their time is not free after all and if it takes them about 30 minutes to craft a letter, then that is what it costs. On the other hand, if you do pay for such a letter, it need not only apply to Argos surely and you can re-use the letter with other creditors.

Strictly speaking, of course you dont have to supply actual evidence to Argos, it is not the law or anything, but in practice, if you want them to take you seriously, you are going to have to provide something that looks like proof of your condition. Malingerers do not pay £45 for a doctors letter after all.

As Fatbelly says, what exactly are you hoping to achieve here? If Argos are threatening or harassing you, then there is already legislation in place to deal with this behaviour without the requirement for medical evidence of your situation. If you are asking Argos to do something above and beyond what is normal, then I'm afraid you are going to have to take steps to co-operate with them.

sourcrates

Hi OP,


So you are on a DMP with stepchange, and Argos, one of your creditors, is refusing to stop interest, is that right ?
This is a fairly typical scenario, and there are many posts on the subject on this forum.
The usual way to deal with this, is either stop paying them, or just pay £1 a month, they will either capitulate, or sell on the debt, either way it would be a result for you.


You don't want to be running around chasing Doctors letters etc, that's just them controlling you, it may be more difficult as stepchange are involved, but that's what I would do.

fermi

Each FOS decision is separate, so they don't set precedent in how they should decide a future one, but still may be useful..

http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx?FileID=21784

poppasmurf_bewdley

Possibly write back to Argos, telling them that it would cost you £45 to get a letter from your doctor, and saying the money would be better put to repaying what you owe. Or ask them to pay?

debtfreedesciple

Hi FireWyrm,
Firstly I am not malingerer, and I do not recall stating anywhere in my post that I do not want to pay for a doctors letter.I am more than willing to pay the £45 for a doctors letter, if that's what it takes.
Secondly, I am currently on a DMP with Step Change. All my other creditors have recognised my situation and have written to me, they have been more than helpful.
Argos however, have not been.
Thirdly, what I am trying to achieve is for Argos to maybe reduce the high interest they are charging me. At the moment what they charge me in interest negates what they receive from Step Change, so its actually not reducing the amount much.

I also gave Argos permission to speak to my GP, why would I give them permission to contact my GP if I was lying. I'd look an idiot

I am well aware that I got myself into this mess, and quite stupidly so.

debtfreedesciple

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Possibly write back to Argos, telling them that it would cost you £45 to get a letter from your doctor, and saying the money would be better put to repaying what you owe. Or ask them to pay?

Thanks,
That's extremely helpful.

debtfreedesciple

Thanks Fermi.
That's really helpful.

FireWyrm

debtfreedesciple wrote: »

Hi FireWyrm,
Firstly I am not malingerer, and I do not recall stating anywhere in my post that I do not want to pay for a doctors letter.I am more than willing to pay the £45 for a doctors letter, if that's what it takes.

I never said you were. I said that malingerers do not typically pay the £45 necessary to get such proof as requested. It adds weight to your argument in their eyes.

debtfreedesciple wrote: »

Secondly, I am currently on a DMP with Step Change. All my other creditors have recognised my situation and have written to me, they have been more than helpful.
Argos however, have not been.

No creditor is under any legal obligation to be helpful in the least, you are lucky that some are. Argos on the other hand are asking for something more than merely your word as an honest citizen. In some cases, it has been known for those who do supply the necessary evidence requested to get far more help than those who do not. I have heard of various cases where debts are written off on the basis of such evidence. I'm not saying that this will happen, but that it could and a little co-operation with Argos might pay dividends in the long run.

debtfreedesciple wrote: »

Thirdly, what I am trying to achieve is for Argos to maybe reduce the high interest they are charging me.

Why should they. Your situation is not of their making and you entered into a contract. They are under no obligation what-so-ever to help you. They are merely asking for more evidence on your part, something that you could provide if you so chose. Of course, you are under no obligation to supply that evidence either, but dont expect any further co-operation from them.

debtfreedesciple wrote: »

At the moment what they charge me in interest negates what they receive from Step Change, so its actually not reducing the amount much.

Unfortunately, that is life.

debtfreedesciple wrote: »

I also gave Argos permission to speak to my GP, why would I give them permission to contact my GP if I was lying. I'd look an idiot

Your case will be dealt with by a minimum wage clerk who doesnt know you from Adam. They dont care about you, they have no interest in helping you much. You have to make them care. They have to want to help you. People are more inclined to stick their necks out in these situations if there is something to go on, some tangible proof of your situation. I have worked in these companies and I have gone to bat for people who showed willing. That's all they are asking for. The clerk will read these same sob stories every minute of every day, you have to stand out as something different if you want them to help you any further than legally required.

debtfreedesciple wrote: »

I am well aware that I got myself into this mess, and quite stupidly so.

That is beside the point. Unforseen circumstances happen. Now, Argos are asking for something, some evidence which will allow them to help you further. That evidence can also be used for other companies and perhaps can get some additional help from them too.