Cabot calling my workplace!

songbird888

Hello

First post, but been lurking around this brilliant forum for a while looking into solutions for some debt problems. I have recently started the popular approach of stopping payments and waiting for defaults, and seeing where it goes from there. 

Two of my creditors, Marbles and Aqua, have been sold to Cabot after defaulting. I received a call from them at my workplace today, it got picked up by a colleagues who told me who it was (so they introduced themselves!) and transferred it to me, so I just hung up. I was mortified! 

I am willing to enter negotiations with them, however I’m not impressed that they have contacted my workplace and announced who they are to someone else. Can I stop them doing this? 

Thank you 

Sly72

You may have supplied that contact number to Marbles and Aqua who in turn pass on your contact details when debt is sold. All you can do is inform Cabot contact should be made in writing only.

justinthegreat

This is what they do if they cannot get hold of you for a few months after massive calls, texts and mails. 

SPM87

if you are going to choose to pay, you dont negotiate with them you TELL them what you are paying. Make sure it is minimal 

RAS

Write to Cabot and tell them to remove all phone numbers, and email addresses if you with, and only to communicate in writing. Send a copy of the letter by email, possibly to their complaint address.

You do need to open letters every week or so, as legal stuff has to be mailed and some has short deadlines.

songbird888

Thanks all. I was very surprised as they’ve only been managing the accounts for a month or so, couldn’t believe they’re going hard so soon! I am opening all letters, holding out for as long as I can until I get a hint of court action. 

I considered calling them and telling them not to contact work, as I have a week off next week and don’t want them to keep calling the office when I’m not there. 

RAS

Write now.

They cannot do anything legal unless a default has been registered.

Legally that requires them to send a letter advising that if you do not repay the entire sum, a default will be registered. No-one actually expects you to do that. That will be followed by a letter advising you that the financial relationship has been terminated and a default will be registered. 

At which point you keep an eye on your credit record and wait for the creditor to ask you to pay, or assign your debt to a debt collector, or sell the debt. Once those managing your debt write giving you a reference number and account details, you can pay them. Interest will have been stopped and they are unlikely to take any further legal action if you make payments.

Do make sure they have your current address.

SPM87

songbird888 said:

Thanks all. I was very surprised as they’ve only been managing the accounts for a month or so, couldn’t believe they’re going hard so soon! I am opening all letters, holding out for as long as I can until I get a hint of court action. 

I considered calling them and telling them not to contact work, as I have a week off next week and don’t want them to keep calling the office when I’m not there. 

you need to get reading up on the process... you don't react to "hints" of legal action. Anyone intending to issue a court claim has to send to a "letter of claim" giving you 30 days to respond. Even a court claim you can get 28 days to respond to it.

If your debts are still with their original creditors, they 99.9% of the time do not take legal action, they just sell the debt or never sell the debt and do nothing with it / or employ Wescot or one of these types to pursue debt on their behalf until they then sell for not getting any success.

Do not be so quick to send your hard earned money to defaulted debts. 

sourcrates

Cabot are a debt purchasing company, so your debts will have already defaulted prior to their sale.

Write to Cabot quoting GDPR stating you only wish to be contacted in writing only, and to remove all phone numbers they currently hold for you.

They cannot refuse to do this, GDPR is a powerful tool, so use it.

songbird888

sourcrates said:

Cabot are a debt purchasing company, so your debts will have already defaulted prior to their sale.

Write to Cabot quoting GDPR stating you only wish to be contacted in writing only, and to remove all phone numbers they currently hold for you.

They cannot refuse to do this, GDPR is a powerful tool, so use it.

Is there a template letter around for doing this? 

fatbelly

It's not quite what you want but National Debtlinr have this

https://nationaldebtline.org/get-information/sample-letters/creditor-harassment-warning/

You may find some useful bits here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4713757