Wonga, have they been irresponsible?

Oldmini24

Hi, I am new here and after some advice please.

I started using Wonga in Nov 2015, I had a gambling problem and I was suffering from depression.
I am ashamed to admit that I had 176 loans (this includes top up amounts) ranging from £10-£620 totalling £26,669 over the space of 27 months.
I got paid on a Thursday about midnight and it got to the point where I would have to wait up until my wages went in and then I would quickly pay off my loan with Wonga and then borrow the same amount back just so I could pay my bills etc, I also had other payday loans at the same time to payback Wonga when I was short. I have never missed a payment with anyone as I just juggled the money from one payday lender to another.
Long story short I will be payday loan free in 2 weeks I have managed to get my life back on track after years of worrying and I have never been happier.
But with regards to Wonga I have had a final response from Wonga after making a complaint and they have told me that they have not been irresponsible in lending to me.
Do you think I have a case if I went to the ombudsman? Thank you for looking, I will be happy with any advice you can give me. Lee

[Deleted User]

Sounds more like irresponsible borrowing, but you never know with the Ombudsman.

Pixie5740

Oldmini24 wrote: »

Hi, I am new here and after some advice please.

I started using Wonga in Nov 2015, I had a gambling problem and I was suffering from depression.
I am ashamed to admit that I had 176 loans (this includes top up amounts) ranging from £10-£620 totalling £26,669 over the space of 27 months.
I got paid on a Thursday about midnight and it got to the point where I would have to wait up until my wages went in and then I would quickly pay off my loan with Wonga and then borrow the same amount back just so I could pay my bills etc, I also had other payday loans at the same time to payback Wonga when I was short. I have never missed a payment with anyone as I just juggled the money from one payday lender to another.
Long story short I will be payday loan free in 2 weeks I have managed to get my life back on track after years of worrying and I have never been happier.
But with regards to Wonga I have had a final response from Wonga after making a complaint and they have told me that they have not been irresponsible in lending to me.
Do you think I have a case if I went to the ombudsman? Thank you for looking, I will be happy with any advice you can give me. Lee

Nothing ventured nothing gained. Other forum members have been successful.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5289150

Oldmini24

I totally agree I have only myself to blame, but I feel that Wonga should have done something to stop me from borrowing up to 6 times a week, sometimes lending me more than I earned.

[Deleted User]

Unfortunately, it seems that you asked for the loans, they gave you the loans and you repaid the loans.

There's nothing to suggest you couldn't afford them, even if it wasn't a smart idea.

enjoyyourshoes

Have you solved the problem of

1.0 Gambling

2.0 addiction

If not seek some professional help and guidance otherwise it may just reappear?

As other people have suggested its worth a punt, but don't put too much on that nag as it may not come home in first place !

ReadingTim

Oldmini24 wrote: »

I have never missed a payment with anyone as I just juggled the money from one payday lender to another.

How is lending to someone who always pays it back irresponsible?

shortcrust

Oldmini24 wrote: »

I totally agree I have only myself to blame, but I feel that Wonga should have done something to stop me from borrowing up to 6 times a week, sometimes lending me more than I earned.

The bit in bold says one thing and rest of the sentence says something a bit different.

Well done on getting yourself out of a nasty financial hole. I think zx81 is right though. Lending money to someone who's able to pay it back doesn't scream irresponsible.

marliepanda

Oldmini24 wrote: »

I totally agree I have only myself to blame, but I feel that Wonga should have done something to stop me from borrowing up to 6 times a week, sometimes lending me more than I earned.

Did you tell then your wages when asking for more than that?

bigisi

ReadingTim wrote: »

How is lending to someone who always pays it back irresponsible?

Anything can be twisted to "irresponsible" when someone wants some compo.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

I think you'll struggle as you always paid them back - and I'd lay money on the fact that you never told them you had a gambling problem.