Nationwide Recoveries

Domjen

I apologise now as I wanted to post this in the DMP mutual support thread but didn't know how to. I have been on a DMP with StepChange since September 2017 and have not missed a payment to all of my creditors. Today I got a letter from Nationwide (one of my creditors) stating that they have passed on my debt to Nationwide Recoveries. They state that the letter is a copy sent to my DMP.

The letter then goes to state that I must ring them to discuss a suitable payment plan. They then say that if they "do not receive payment" or hear from me within seven days of the date of the letter, they may refer (me) to a Debt Collection Agency. They also state that "alternatively we may take legal action". The letter was dated 8th February and I have only received the letter today.

I know I should remain calm and contact StepChange asap but I am now panicking. Apart from Nationwide, all my other creditors have stopped interest and my accounts with them have defaulted. The letter from Nationwide is the most sinister I've had. Has anyone had the same problem or experience with Nationwide Recoveries? Any advice please? Thank you.

sourcrates

Hi,

Relax, its just a standard computer generated template letter, it won’t take your DMP into account.

Your debt has been sold, or assigned, happens all the time, just pass it on to stepchange, and they will re-direct the payments, that’s it, job done.

Nothing to worry about.

Domjen

Thank you.

Kind regards

Domjen

It's me again and back to Nationwide Recoveries. I really appreciate sourcrates' reassuring response and I did also speak to Step Change (who manage my DMP) and they too reassured me that the letter from Nationwide Recoveries is standard.

However, today I received another letter from Nationwide Recoveries entitled "Urgent- Please act now". and under "Why it's important to take action" they state that they MAY refer the debt to a Debt collection agency or alternatively they MAY take legal action "with a view to obtaining a judgement" that includes Charging Order, Warrant of Execution, Attachment of Earnings.

I appreciate that I perhaps need to sit and wait this out but I have to admit this latest letter is really stressing me. I also thought that Nationwide Recoveries is the debt collection agency but obviously not. I have scoured the forum and other consumer forums and found a few who have had dealings with Nationwide and their debt recovery system and it looks like Nationwide more often than not take legal action no matter the size of the debt and no matter that the person is doing a DMP and hasn't missed a payment.

I just thought I'd share my experience here with Nationwide. I will update as time goes on in the hope that the Nationwide debt collection process may help someone in the same situation.

In summary:
Started DMP with Step Change in September 2017
All letters as below were also sent to StepChange:
October 2017 - Nationwide accepts the payment plan for 12 months
September 2018 - after a review, payment is increased
October 2018 - Nationwide accepts the new payment plan for 3 months
January 2019 - Default Notice given
February 2019 - Nationwide sends a "Client's account due for review" letter
February 2019 - Nationwide sends a letter saying Nationwide Recoveries are now dealing with my account
February 2019 - Nationwide Recoveries sends a Settlement Offer letter
March 2019 - Nationwide Recoveries sends an "Urgent Please Act Now" letter

sourcrates

Hi,

Again, it’s a simple standard computer generated template letter that will not take your DMP into account, I normally don’t advise calling a creditor, but if it’s stressing you out, just ring them and find out what they are playing at instead of leaving you guessing on an Internet forum, late on a Saturday night.

Letters like this are turned out in there millions, they are all full of “could” “might do’s” and “maybe’s”, there sole aim is to initiate contact, these companies are massive, one hand doesn’t always know what the other is doing.

fatbelly

If they started a court claim, stepchange would help you to respond and offer them what you are currently paying. So there's no point in them doing that. I think they're just working through their standard letters.

Domjen

Thank you sourcrates and fatbelly. I'm going to take it one letter at a time. Kindest regards.

Afreshstart

Hi Domjen
Thanks for your posts & please update with any developments.Hopefully they will continue with your DMP.
I'm on a similar time-line to yourself with Nationwide Recoveries but I self manage.I have a review due soon & was defaulted quite early in 2018.Their letters have been the most worrying especially early on with threats of home visits.I've not had any settlement offers sent & so far they seem happy with my monthly repayments.
Hoping your mind is soon put at rest as having got on top of our debts we don't need the extra stress returning.