Random phonecall from Moorcroft

dragonsfire1981

Hi everyone, I'm just having a Personal Budgeting Plan setup by Debt Compare after Stepchange put me through to them to manage some credit card debts.

I've also just got a random call just now from the Moorcroft Group, who I have read a little about and know they take on debt sold by creditors, and like to hassle people. I refused the call as I didn't know who they were at first, and it was 8pm anyway, I Googled them and saw immediately ther are lots of posts on this forum about them.

From what it looks like Moorcroft Group don't have any legal right to make demands from you, and most of the time are just chancing it to try and intimidate you?

I am however a little confused by some of the previous threads on Moorcroft- I've seen a few people say that they have virtually no real power, that their words are empty and will send a "pretend bailiff" around etc etc, and that you should completely ignore/shut them out etc. On the other hand I've seen some people say that they should correspond with them if they are indeed handling the debt on behalf of the creditor?

I'll probably speak to Stepchange or Debt Compare tommorow about it since they are handling correspondence with creditors anyway- and I assume Stepchange/Debt Compare can handle the correspondence with Moorcroft/ help shut them up?

sourcrates

You are correct, Moorcroft do not own your accounts, therefore can only advise there client on how you respond to them.

The debts owner is the only one who can instigate legal action, Moorcroft are just a third party collector and have no power to enforce their clients rights against you.

dragonsfire1981

So basically if I ignored them, essentially nothing formal will happen, though of course they will continue escalate the hassle, intimidation etc in the hope I give in to them? And essentially I either need Stepchange/Debt Compare or whoever to correspond with Moorcorft help write them a stern letter or some sort to stop their correspondence?

Debt Compare has said all my creditors have received their correspondence already, although only half have replied- and I should refer anyone to them anyway if I get any sort of correspondence.

sourcrates wrote: »

You are correct, Moorcroft do not own your accounts, therefore can only advise there client on how you respond to them.

The debts owner is the only one who can instigate legal action, Moorcroft are just a third party collector and have no power to enforce their clients rights against you.

DCFC79

Is there a reason your using Debt Compare ?

Why could Stepchange not help you ?

MovingForwards

Debt compare are a pay for debt management company.

Did you speak with stepchange the charity, who do debt management for free?

dragonsfire1981

Stepchange referred me to them because originally I was being assessed for an IVA but because I have assets relating to business (crypto) the IVA firm assessing thought it may not be a good idea I proceed as I may be forced to sell them, so they said the next best thing would be a DMP or similar thing of which they asked Debt Compare to deal with and contact me about. I've been put on a personal budgeting service which I believe is very similar to a DMP in all but name. Is that slightly unusual?

DCFC79 wrote: »

Is there a reason your using Debt Compare ?

Why could Stepchange not help you ?

sourcrates

Very unusual, a debt charity referring a client to a paid for accounting service ????

First off, it’s not a DMP, are you paying a fee to this company ?

Was it Stepchange or the IVA company that referred you ?

dragonsfire1981

I have to admit I wasn't sure about it either, and yes I'm paying a fee.

It was Stepchange that referred me yes.

I assume if they thought it was the best course of action there shouldn't be a problem with it though?

sourcrates wrote: »

Very unusual, a debt charity referring a client to a paid for accounting service ????

First off, it’s not a DMP, are you paying a fee to this company ?

sourcrates

dragonsfire1981 wrote: »

I have to admit I wasn't sure about it either, and yes I'm paying a fee.

It was Stepchange that referred me yes.

I assume if they thought it was the best course of action there shouldn't be a problem with it though?

What, exactly, are they doing for you ?

If you don’t mind me asking.

dragonsfire1981

They are handling arrangements with creditors to stop interest charges pay off the debt etc.

It seems to me as if it's some kind of alternative to DMP. Because Stepchange said the IVA wasn't suitable for me they said they would help arrange something alternative to explore.

Given of course I wouldn't know how these things normally work, I didn't see it as particularly unusual.

sourcrates wrote: »

What, exactly, are they doing for you ?

If you don’t mind me asking.

MovingForwards

There's
1. DMP
2. Debt relief order
3. IVA
4. Bankruptcy

Unless you are in Scotland and things are a little different.

How much debt are you in?