Random phonecall from Moorcroft

StepChange_Kirsty

Hi Dragonsfire,

I’m a debt advisor at StepChange Debt Charity and was very concerned when I saw your post.

At StepChange we do not refer debt management plans (DMP’s) to any external agencies whatsoever. All DMP’s recommended by us are managed internally completely free of charge. Individual voluntary arrangements (IVA’s) are referred to our sister company Stepchange Voluntary Arrangements and if they feel an IVA would not be viable, they always refer straight back to the charity.

The only exceptions to this rule are that we may refer clients for free advice from Business Debtline when they’re self employed or an external IVA provider when a client is based in Northern Ireland.

StepChange Debt Charity do not have any links to Debt Compare and you should never have to pay for a DMP. Unfortunately, we have had instances where companies have tried to use our name or similar purporting to be StepChange. If you know the website you used or telephone number you’ve been provided please let us know and we will investigate this further.

In the meantime, if you would like to speak to an actual StepChange Debt Advisor please contact us on 0800 138 1111, we’re available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturdays 8am to 4pm. Our official website is www.stepchange.org.

I'm sorry to hear about any inconvenience you’ve experienced so far.

Kirsty

dragonsfire1981 wrote: »

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?

dragonsfire1981

Hi Kirsty,

Thanks for your reply. I think you have got to the root of it, I checked this morning to see the number I called and it did not match Stepchange's number, it looks like I've actually been in touch with an organisation called Stepschange. Very sly of them, and I'm livid. It looks like I've been taken around the garden path with them for the last 3 months or so, I really can't believe this has happened after thinking everything was in hand. I think you will need to make it very clear in future that there are companies pretending to be you as I Googled Stepchange and clicked on the first link that appeared, and called the number I'm sure there are others who've done the same if I did.

http://stepschange.co.uk/

0333 212 1315

I'm more than happy to assist you in taking formal action against them.

I did speak to someone from the real Stepchange and they told me I had to speak to Business Debt Line, am just waiting on the line now for half an hour, seems very busy I need this resolved asap as I'm confused by where I've been left in the lurch.

StepChange_Kirsty wrote: »

Hi Dragonsfire,

I’m a debt advisor at StepChange Debt Charity and was very concerned when I saw your post.

At StepChange we do not refer debt management plans (DMP’s) to any external agencies whatsoever. All DMP’s recommended by us are managed internally completely free of charge. Individual voluntary arrangements (IVA’s) are referred to our sister company Stepchange Voluntary Arrangements and if they feel an IVA would not be viable, they always refer straight back to the charity.

The only exceptions to this rule are that we may refer clients for free advice from Business Debtline when they’re self employed or an external IVA provider when a client is based in Northern Ireland.

StepChange Debt Charity do not have any links to Debt Compare and you should never have to pay for a DMP. Unfortunately, we have had instances where companies have tried to use our name or similar purporting to be StepChange. If you know the website you used or telephone number you’ve been provided please let us know and we will investigate this further.

In the meantime, if you would like to speak to an actual StepChange Debt Advisor please contact us on 0800 138 1111, we’re available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturdays 8am to 4pm. Our official website is www.stepchange.org.

I'm sorry to hear about any inconvenience you’ve experienced so far.

Kirsty

dragonsfire1981

Okay,

I've spoken to someone of Business debtline and he gave me a list of action points. My head is spinning though as this morning's revelation has really upset me, I'm annoyed I've wasted 3 months when it could have been resolved by now.

He advised me to write seperate hold action letters to advise them I will be changing my debt management to Business Debtline, to cancel Debt Compare write to them a letter of complaint, and possibly refer them to the financial ombudsman if needed.

I have seen the UK trustpilot reviews and seen a few people have been fleeced by them, I'm now of course worried that they have done little that they said they would. I assume I can just cancel any card or direct debit payment to them via my bank?

I'm really annoyed as I feel I'm back to square one

sourcrates

Yes. Cancel now.

MovingForwards

Cancel everything with your bank.

In a way you are back to the start, only the difference is you now know what to expect.

But, you have our support, so something good has come out of it. As the song goes "you'll never walk alone".

Please let us know what happens with Business Debtline, I have read good things about them.

dragonsfire1981

Okay I've been scrambling around last couple of hours looking for a physical contact address of each relevant department to write to. My head is now a lot clearer.

I've spoken to a few people with each creditor on the phone and it's a relief at the very least Debt Compare have at least actually carried out what said they were going to, and each creditor has said they have received correspondence, have put my accounts on hold are happy I they have been in touch etc, so I know they the DMC won't scam me outright by the looks of it.

I'm still going to extract myself from their agreement to transfer to the DMP so will put together the info Business Debtline have asked for and once (or before the month is over) ball is moving with will fire my letters to confirm Business Debtline will take over it.

One of the most stressful days I've had in a long while but am feeling calmer about it now and know what the roadmap is to get this on the right path.

fatbelly

This may be useful if you want to report them

https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam-unauthorised-firm

I suspect Debt Compare will invoice you in accordance with their contract, which you signed.

dragonsfire1981

Okay I'm thinking about how to play my cards here.

I only fleetingly scanned the contract when I signed it, I have to say because I was under the impression they were acting on a refferal from Stepchange I took them in good faith so didn't read the smallprint, am going to look at it properly and then decide what to do based on that is says.

fatbelly wrote: »

This may be useful if you want to report them

https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam-unauthorised-firm

I suspect Debt Compare will invoice you in accordance with their contract, which you signed.

sourcrates

You can usually cancel with 30 days notice in most cases.

But if you feel you were coerced into thinking you were speaking to stepchange, then I would contest any fees they ask for, and instead ask for a refund of what you have already paid.

dragonsfire1981

I'm definately going to do that. I think the angle I will play is to look potentially to get refund/ compensation/complain to ombudsman etc. I'll speak to Business Debt Line, maybe CAB as well if needed.

Should I even give them a sniff of a hint of my plans, i.e. should I call them? Part of me thinks I should work in the shadows then send them a bolt out of the blue, especially after I've spoken to someone who can give me additional advice, and at the point it looks like I can leap straight over to the proper DMP Business Advice/Stepchange will setup.

sourcrates wrote: »

You can usually cancel with 30 days notice in most cases.

But if you feel you were coerced into thinking you were speaking to stepchange, then I would contest any fees they ask for, and instead ask for a refund of what you have already paid.