NatWest Regal credit Consultants

[Fuzzgin]

I'm currently in the early stages of claiming back years of charges on a NatWest account. I had a £900 overdraft, became ill and it grew to £2000. NatWest closed the account in 2003 and I am awaiting statements from 2001 - 2003 inclusive.

My "Debt" is meanwhile with Regal who have a horrible attitude and phone up shouting if they're just returning my phone call. I originally agreed to pay back £120 per month which I had to reduce to £100 per month (they didn't like that.) I have since been advised (by debt advice charities) not to pay anything or maximum £1. I often earn as little as £280 in a month and even when it's more, I can't guarantee a regular amount. I rarely earn more than £500 a month. However I pay by debit card over the phone. Obviously I can't do that this time without risking an argument. I always give in and agree amounts that I can't afford. I don't have a cheque book. I need to work out a way toget them to stop phoning me and to communicate via letter. I know that they will still call, they used to call me at my parents' house long after I'd given them my new number. Can anyone advise? I'm off to look for a template letter.

[diskmandave]

Fuzzgin, you can put this to bed very easily. The next time that they call, firstly advise them that you will now only converse with them in writing, thus creating a paper trail. If they're horrible remind them of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. If they call again remind them that you've stated writing only from now, and refuse to go through the security checks with them.

You sound like someone who doesn't like an arguement, but you're going to have to stand up to these bullies. They're working on commission and every pound they screw out of you a portion of it ends up in their paypacket! Think of it like that! Grit your teeth and stick to the above!

CCCS - Contact Us

Give the above link a looking at as well.

Good luck with it, best regards, Dave.

[Fuzzgin]

Cheers Dave,

I've put up with bullying for years, as you say I give in. These people seem to be able to identify vulnerabilities, and mine is my parents. They don't know about this and I like it that way. I used to live at my parents' house but in a sort of granny flat. I didn't have access to the main house phone, I told them it was my parents' phone not mine and gave them my mobile number. They still used that landline number even after I'd moved. Your advice is good though. It was CCCS who advised me that I didn't have enough income to be paying debts. I've had advice from them and National debtline. Both say the same thing. I actually had an argument on the phone with one of these Regal people, it lasted half an hour with me starting by saying that I didn't like their attitude. (A message on my mobile shouting at me to call IMMEDIATELY!!! when it was only my quarterly review. It ended after he repeated about 20 times that he couldn't accept less than £150 a month. I was paying £100 a month when my entire guaranteed income is £280 a month or sometimes less. I knew a court wouldn't back them up, but I don't want to go to court. I just want to pay off my debt. Is that too much to ask. Now my overtime is drying up, I can't pay anything like what I paid before and would be a fool to try. Anyway, the worm has turned. I'm standing up to them, I think.

[diskmandave]

You're on the right track now

From what you say their 'phone manners are obsolutely outrageous and also contravenes Section 40(a) of the Administration of Justice Act 1970 (see below)

Debt Help UK : Administration of Justice Act 1970 | UK debt consolidation service with free help and advice | UK debt consolidation service with free help and advice

You don't have to put up with that, put the 'phone down if you think your resolve is weakening and they're having a right go at you! Remember, in future, it's in writing, or not at all.

They don't come out with this cr*p when it's in writing! Another good trick when they call you is to say right after they identify themselves, "i'm recording this call", and then do the sh*tty silence (don't talk, wait for them to talk first at all costs ((no matter how long it takes)) and then cut them dead as soon as they speak with, "I said in writing only", and then put the 'phone down!).

On a sensible note, don't forget to keep copies of everything! Because, they won't! Get a big box file with a strong clip from Wilky's and a couple of packs of folders (total cost, 147p). When writing to them, if Rec/Del is a little too much for your budget use certificate of posting (which is free), but make sure to keep everything in order, with PO stamps!

Quote: I'm standing up to them, I think.

When I first admitted that I had a problem, my first ever CCCS councellor (Ray) told me this... :
"Today, is the first day of the rest of your life".

Today, you have found the CAG. Good for you. We're here for you.

Regards, Dave.

[mochamoo]

..

[Fuzzgin]

I'm fuming! Look at what the ***** have sent me. I have a standing order set up for £1 per month, but they decided to up the stakes? Well they are messing with the wrong woman!

Any advice? I already have the statements on this account and could claim the charges back. I know that's not an option until the test case but I intend to write to them today. I mean business.

Anyone know of a letter that I could send them? As it's an overdraft I'm not sure whether a CCA request will work, but I'm not going to be intimidated and bullied be the **** any longer!

[Fuzzgin]

Trying to improve the size but I can't. Anyone know the best way to copy from Photobucket?

[Curlyben]

Throw this at them.

ACCOUNT IN DISPUTE

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your ref:


Thank you for your letter of **DATE**, the contents of which are noted.


I am disputing the total value of these debts with **BANK** due to unlawful and unreasonable charges. As such, therefore, I consider this account to be in dispute and no further action or payment shall be made until this matter is resolved.
As per OFT guidelines Section 2.8k "not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt."

This process may take some time, due to the Office of Fair Trading's test case, but I will try to expedite this issue as a matter of urgency.

Consequentially any legal action you pursue will be averred as both UNLAWFUL and VEXATIOUS.

After taking advice, I am of the opinion that your continued pursuit is in violation of the Administration of Justice Act 1970 section 40, Protection from harassment Act 1997 section 3 as well as breaching a number of the OFT Collection Guidelines.

I reserve the right to report your actions to any such regulatory authorities as I see fit.
You have 14 days from receiving this letter to contact me with your intentions to resolve this matter which is now a formal complaint.

I hope that you will enter into a sincere dialogue with me about this matter and I am writing this letter to you on the assumption that you would prefer to do this than merely respond with standard letters and leaflets.

I would appreciate your due diligence in this matter.

I look forward to hearing from you in writing.

Yours faithfully

[Fuzzgin]

Can I send this even though all I've done so far is to request 6 years worth of statements and pay my £1 per month. I was quite happy to continue with that, but I suppose they've made the decision for me

[tooth_fairy]

Yes you can and yes you should....I am in exactly the same position with Lloyds TSB and arrow Global and I have just had a letter back from Aroow saying they accept that the test case will be a while in the making and that the account is on hold.

If you can prove the unlawful charges exist, (as many DCA's don't believe people can get into debt due to charges), I understand you are still awaiting statements, then yes go for it, you have nothing but the price of a recorded deliver letter to lose.

Keep us posted!

[Fuzzgin]

I have the statements, and there are hundreds of pounds in charges on the account. OK, going for it! Cheers all.

[Fuzzgin]

OK letter ready to send. Cheers all!

[Fuzzgin]

I sent that letter, not sure what date but will check. Today I was woken by a call on my mobile by a company called SRJ claiming the balance. Give her credit, the employee was civilised. I said that Regal are dealing and I've had no letter to say that they're not and that I would not deal on the phone. She said that I should take this up with Regal, and that they will be writing to me. She seemed surprised that someone else was dealing with the debt. Said that they didn't have my current address. I was tempted to tell them to get it from NatWest/Regal but gave them the address as I was quite insistent that I wanted to deal in writing only and I don't want them hassling me on my mobile.

How can anyone deal with debts in a responsible way when a payment agreement is constantly passed from one company to the next, ignored and threats of legal action sent out while payments are being made. I did keep to the £1 a month agreement despite telling them that I'm disputing it. I thought it was showing goodwill, now I risk having to get money back, pay another company and it's impossible to manage.

*tears hair out and debates complaints procedures/TS*

[Fuzzgin]

Got this today.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...zzgin/SRJ2.jpg

These people are clearly very determined to talk to me urgently, so urgently in fact with only 7 days to go that they went to the uneccesary expence of second class post. I'm on the edge of my seat.

My first instinct would be to send both a CCA and an In Dispute letter, but this is an overdraft on a current account, so I don't think there is a CCA. Anyone know what wording I should use to get some sort of document to prove they have the right to collect?

I checked recent statements on my bank account and they haven't bothered to even collect my £1 per month since I sent the last letter. I only get statements every 3 months. I set it up as a standing order, should that not go through without me having to check every time?