My dad's rotten phone interview

blind-as-a-bat_2

sweeper12 wrote: »

Hi ATC, thanks for your reply.

I didn't listen in to the interview as I was at work but the first one lasted for half an hour and my dad was told that they had all the info needed and that was that. He was then phoned again for another half an hour and my dad had put his notes away - we prepared them in advance so that my dad wouldn't get too confused. Apparently, the interviewer was firing quick questions and twisting everything my dad said, as if trying to catch him out. He also asked my dad how on earth had he racked up debt of £40k in 10 years which my dad replied had just spiralled out of control and that's why he had approached Payplan, to this the interviewer said he would be getting in touch with Payplan as they were taking a cut and were basically for the high jump. My dad also was told that he couldn't have the money for a car - tax, petrol, insurance etc included in his I&E as he no longer could have a car and he would take that surplus into consideration, my dad replied that he needed a car for his disabled family - the interviewer then told him that the family could chip in and pay for that and that we, his wife, son and daughter should pay for his car expenditure.

Oh, he also told him that he would apply for a court order to get an IPA put into place.

To cap all that, during the interval between the second call and the two after, my dad's GP phoned to tell him they had found a heart problem in his tests. So all in all I'd say things went pretty bad for him and he's in a bit of a state. I'm so angry and I don't know what to do, it's disgusting that he's been treated this way.

Another thing is, the interviewer then said that my dad needed to tell him exactly where all the money had gone cos he would be contacting dad's creditors to explain to them what my dad had spent it on, he basically made out that we, as a family, had had a jolly good time on holidays and such and that we should be ashamed.

He was also asked to provide statements (shredded), credit cards (cut up 2 years ago) and a rent agreement. He was told to get statements for everything and asked why on earth he'd cut his cards up.

What a pig

Going through 4K a year is hardly the last of the big spenders is it:rolleyes:


everything about that interview was wrong

You can complain direct to the IS details here

http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/guidanceleaflets/complaints/complaints.htm

You could also send a complaint to the examiners line manager directly at the offfice dealing with your dad outlineing all the things you have put here and the fact your dad isnt eligable to pay an IPA and how all this has left your dad feeling and any effects its had on his health etc

Incidently he actually has the start of a good case to have the car treated as exempt with the little you have mentioned here, do not agree to let them take it untill his case has been reviewed

fiveyearplan

Is there any way you can speak for your father? He may not be getting the correct information from the OR. If the OR really is saying this stuff and being threatening, you need to report it and make an official complaint.

I know they can make you feel like a criminal but your dad knows he hasn't done anything wrong so shouldn't be made to feel as if he has. All my debt was business related but now I wish I had had a jolly good time with holidays and expensive luxuries for myself at least I'd have something to show for it!

sweeper12

Hi BAAB

My dad was paying on the car and say's he's happy for them to take it as he wants no more credit, he would rather save the money to try to take my mum away if he can. He was hoping to get a small reimbursement just to get a modest vehicle that he could use for day to day purposes.

Thanks also for the complaints info, I actually would love to report the little toad for what he's done :mad:

5year

I'm wondering whether I should phone this person myself as I'm a little bit more able to make sense of it all than my dad is. I've tried to reassure him that it will all be fine and that the little creep can get the statements for himself, that's what mine did as I'd shredded all my stuff too.

I have a funny feeling that the interviewer was on some sort of power trip and that my dad was just unlucky but the training person should have stepped in at some point and sorted things out.

He even managed to get my mum on the line at one point as my dad went for a lie down - she said he sounded like the voice on the Virgin PAYG top up line, all clipped tones and snooty :rolleyes:

S x

fiveyearplan

It sounds like your dad doesn't need the stress of dealing with such an ignorant person. The only important things in life are family, friends and health etc. I hope it all gets sorted out soon.

sweeper12

Does anyone think I should phone this person or wait for the letter that he's sending ?

I'd like to get some answers as to what happens next and whether he will be able to get a car etc...........

S x

fiveyearplan

I think I'd phone them and ask how to go about making an official complaint.

fiveyearplan

Also, as AddictedtoChocolate has said (she is an OR herself!) there is no way a person living solely on benefits would even be considered with an IPA and remember IPA - the A stands for Agreement. That means your father has to agree to it so don't let him sign anything.

sweeper12

Thanks 5 year

I didn't know ATC was an OR !!!!!

What if they try to get him on an IPO ?

S x

fiveyearplan

THats why you need to complain now, or at least get involved. Does your dad have a pension that is subsidising their benefits? If not then there is no reason an IPA should have ever been mentioned. If he does receive a private pension then he would still have to have £100 surplus after reasonable living expenses to be eligible for an IPA or IPO.

Addicted2Chocolate

I am not an OR! Just a lowly examiner at the bottom of the hierachy! But i dont like they sound of the way your dad is being treated at all.