was it a baliff at my door?

themagics

I have just answered the door to a man saying he was from black horse we have missed one of our direct debits, have had a letter telling us to pay a riduculous charge over three times the original monthly payment anyway. this man wanted the cash for the missed payment or a cheque or a card payment i couln't make any of them. so he has left a giro slip for us to take to the bank next week and he has taken our sort code and account details to set up the new direct debit. who was he and can he do it
I know its a bit late now cos he's done it and i feel so stupid at giving the info without asking for ID but i was in shock s we haven't had any letters telling us someone would be coming and we haven't had a default notice either .

standupguy

This was probably a representative of Black Horse calling to see you about a late payment or alternatively an agent acting on their behalf - certainly not a bailiff.

They probably have an excessive charge for a home visit together with other late payment fees or charges but if added up to 3 times your payment are grossly excessive and I would think unfair.

If I were you I would call them and request a full statement of account so that you can see what charges have been added - you could then take a view if these were considered unfair to do something about it?

themagics

thanks you we are certainly going to phone the up the hubby wants to know why they didn't let us know they were coming, the letter just said to pay them and he wants to know why they can talk to me on my doorstep but not when they phone up for him as the account is in his name.

Paparika

A baliff should always show thier ID. and information on who their customer is.

Asking for bank details doesn't sound right.

Did they leave any paperwork?

standupguy

This is just the way these things happen with most Finance companies - they send one of their Reps who is in the area to get the payment and then add at least £50 to your account for the home call.

Of course when anyone rings up to settle their account all of these charges are added on to the settlement figure.

Finance companies have to be very careful over the phone due to data Protection rules but you will often find that callers to the door are not so careful about who they speak to as long as they get a result.

If the account is solely in your husbands name then the represenative should not have discussed this with you - this is a breach on their part of data protection rules and very serious should your husband wish to complain?

Lonewolf10

I have missed payments on my phones before (simply because I am not very organised), and they generally send atleast 1 or 2 reminder letters after you miss a payment before they send in debt collectors.
This sounds very fishy to me, and, like someone else stated, if they were for real (bailiff, debt collector etc.) they would have shown some sort of ID. Sounds like cold-calling to your door in my opinion.


Regards,
Lonewolf10