Dept Collecter coming Tomorrow: Please Help

velocity_2

Long one.....

I have a dept with BT that has been passed over to Moorcroft.
I got myself in quite alot of dept last year and was on top of them, until my partner lost his job and we went onto benefits, after that i was paying bills as and when i could....missing a payment on one to pay another.
In September I decided enough was enough and sorted all my depts out into realistic montly payments, sent all the companies i owed monies to a letter along with my first instalment. However at the end of Sept myself & my partner started a small business and now claim tax credits, which now that christmas is almost here, its leaving us skint. We are not getting much work and we needed to earn £100 pr week to equal what we got on JSA.
As you can imagine things have been difficult and i missed all of Octobers payments and still havent paid novembers which are due on 26th.

My partner now has a part time job which is helping a little and he gets paid nxt week, so any companies that call (I cant call them as my phone has been put on incomin only) i let them know our situation and they all agreed to let me catch up next week.

But not Moorcroft... the guy was very aggressive with me, and told me someone is going to be visiting tomorrow to collect payment in full or my belongings....
He then said I could pay £50 on the phone to stop this happening, i told him i hadnt got 50p let alone £50 and he said i wasnt taking it seriously and paying double next week was not acceptable.
He then said He would accept £20 now and if i had not got it that i should borrow it and that he would increase my payment amounts from £20pr month to £30pr month, and that he would be keeping an eye on my account, and also asked me how i felt if someone took my stuff away. He then said i should call him back today with payment and i said i would see what i could do...of course i have no way of getting any money what so ever, but by this time i was nearly crying at the way he was speaking to me so i said i would call back......I cant call out from my phone and if i could what could i say

Now im terrified that someone is going to come rund tomorrow, is there anything i can do???

Thanks and im sorry its so long x

blackwidowz

Thats terrible, i used to work for moorcroft and i would listen to the debtor to see what i could realistically get each week or month. The smallest payments i would accept was £5 per week as it would cost me in petrol etc.
I would give moorcroft a call and report his attitude or even seek advise from CAB.
sorry can't help more
good luck.
They have to make an agreement to pay, the most they can do is send it back recommending court action, this takes a while, enough time to get advice.

CLAPTON

Its relatively unlikely that anyone will call.. its probably just a scare tactic.

But if they do, they have absolutely no legal powers at all. Just tell them to go away.

Broken_hearted

Even if they do call they can't take your stuff. Just don't let them in.

JillyOJolly

I agree with CLAPTON. They have no power of entry. you dont even have to talk to them. I would suggest you get in touch with Payplan, CCCS or CAB TOMORROW do not delay this any further. You must make a token payment each month, even if only a pound. This will help any case that gets taken to the CCJ stage and the court awards them each month. You are in a tight mess and I sympathise wholly. Take action now, talk to someone.

May I ask if you regret starting the business? Did you need money to do that - any outlay? dont mean to be negative, but creditors may look upon a business as an asset and it may backfire if they prove you had any money for that and not the debt. Seek advice, please dont put if off. the weekend is nearly upon us and it can be a lonely time when you cant get in touch with aids to help and another month arrives again.

Christmas is about love and togetherness, material things dont matter.

Good luck and keep us posted.

JOJ

GeorgeUK

Debt collectors can't send someone round to take your stuff away. They aren't Bailiffs

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10034289

Even a bailiff would need to give you 7 days notice - and bailiffs are only involved after it has gone to court. Next time you get a phonecall from them ask them to wait while you start the recorder so you can tape the phone message. You'll soon see a change in both tone and attitude.

Edit: Details of the organisations listed below.

(Taken from Fermi's signature)

Professional, free and impartial advice on debt problems can be obtained from several charitable and 'not for profit' organisations. They never make a penny from the advice they give, which means it will be given with only your best interests at heart. You can contact:

Your local CAB Office and ask to speak to a 'money advisor'
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) - Tel: 0800 138 1111
National Debtline - Tel: 0808 808 4000
Payplan - Tel: 0800 917 7823

smurfette2

I had problems with Baliffs, I made the fatal error of allowing them in my property to discuss the debt the first time they called, that meant they could rightfully take my belongings that they has listed. I went back to the company who sold the debt & they eventually called the baliffs off & made a payment arrangement. DO NOT LET THEM IN, if they have never been in your property they cannot enter unless you invite them in. Contact BT & try to make a payment arrangement through them.

MKDon

The poster above are correct. Please contact CCCS, Payplan or CAB tomorrow morning, they really will be able to help you.

Good luck and try not to worry.

inmypocketnottheirs

Velocity, practice being very rude, very aggressive and very insulting. Write down all the insults and foul words you can think of, and rehearse shouting them at the top of your voice. You will then be prepared on how to deal with this scum, in the very unlikely event they turn up.

To be honest, debt collectors are the lowest form of cowards you will ever possibly meet. They are good at being threatening, pompous and condescending on the telephone, but their threats amount to nothing.

They have no rights, then can not enter your property, they can not take anything away, they can not make you pay. Do not worry, get some sleep and I think it is highly unlikely they will call.

Good luck and sleep well!

debtman2007

Debt collectors have little power though, unlike Balliffs??

velocity_2

thanks for all your advice guys its put my mind to rest a little, I thought they could force their way in and take my things tomorrow. I will call the CAB tomorrow from my moms house and get some advice on it.

JOJ - I dont regret starting a business i have been unemployed for 6 yrs and really needed to achieve something. We have work booked in so its a start.
Just wish i had waited till after xmas to take the plunge.....

Thanks again all, i would have probably cried myself to sleep tonight and hid away all day tomorrow if i hadnt have posted on here x