Are you being harassed on the telephone by your bank or by debt collectors?

[finsnan]

Hi - I've written a huge long letter now as a last resort to HSBC senior complaints department and have asked them to deduct all of the unauthorised transactions plus all of the interest charged through these transactions. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained! The first time I wrote to complain, now I've got all my correspondence out, was on 16th November 2006 so they are well outside their 8 week target to resolve complaints! I've given them 21 days to respond so we'll see what happens, i'm logging all of the calls I receive (I counted 26 in 6 days!).
Thanks everybody!
Just wondering BankFodder, does the above apply to me as well or is that just for Chris W? Thanks!

[Chris_w]

I get a phone call every 15 - 20 mins Mon - Sun week in week out. I let it ring out so the answer phone will take over but the caller just hangs up its always the same number. I think I know who it is (M&S Money) this is my wife's account and she is behind a little on her payments. She missed a Payment about two months ago. She has had contact with them and arranged to pay extra each month (After being lectured about the way she has managed her account). She asked them to stop telephoning and to write to her if they needed to dicuss her account. they refused and said they will continue to ring her until she brings her account upto date. We feel like were under siege form them. It is so bad that we unplug the phone so that we don't have to listen to ringing all day long. we only plug it back in after nine at night. I think I'm going to buy a recorder and start answering the phone to them. As the saying goes Give them enough rope.........etc.

[ODC]

Send them the telephone harassment letter. They cannot be allowed to continue with this dispicable behaviour. You may also consider having your telephone company bar witheld numbers. This confuses the autodiallers and really pees off the DCAs. What is actually happening is that a computer automatically dials your number if you pick up then its passed to a trained monkey in the call centre. However if all the monkeys are busy they just cut you off. No excuse I know but thats the explanation

[BankFodder]

Originally Posted by Chris_w

I get a phone call every 15 - 20 mins Mon - Sun week in week out. I let it ring out so the answer phone will take over but the caller just hangs up its always the same number. I think I know who it is (M&S Money) this is my wife's account and she is behind a little on her payments. She missed a Payment about two months ago. She has had contact with them and arranged to pay extra each month (After being lectured about the way she has managed her account). She asked them to stop telephoning and to write to her if they needed to dicuss her account. they refused and said they will continue to ring her until she brings her account upto date. We feel like were under siege form them. It is so bad that we unplug the phone so that we don't have to listen to ringing all day long. we only plug it back in after nine at night. I think I'm going to buy a recorder and start answering the phone to them. As the saying goes Give them enough rope.........etc.

Yes - do exactly that. We are anxious to get some complaints going in order to make a very public example of these companies.
Please get a recorder and follow the the advice we have given in the stickied threads on this forum.

You need to get enough evidence so that it is overwhelming.

This means log the calls for a weeks or so without answering them to show the pattern of frequency and of behaviour.

Then start answering and logging and recording as suggested in the action sticky.
One of the lines of conversation you can draw them on is to start asking them why they have been calling so often. It will probably be quite easy to get them to admit that they have been calling you a lot automatically. i imagine that they will be pleased to say that if you bring your account up to date, the frequent calling will stop. Try and get a thorough and friendly discussion going on this topic. If they think that they are getting on with you they may say all sorts of things which you can then use against them later.

Then come to us with the evidence and we will help you through the next steps.

[BankFodder]

Originally Posted by ODC

Send them the telephone harassment letter. They cannot be allowed to continue with this dispicable behaviour. You may also consider having your telephone company bar witheld numbers. This confuses the autodiallers and really pees off the DCAs. What is actually happening is that a computer automatically dials your number if you pick up then its passed to a trained monkey in the call centre. However if all the monkeys are busy they just cut you off. No excuse I know but thats the explanation

Although you can send them the letter, it may not have any effect.
I would suggest the more head to head approach.
Don't send them the letter. Instead gather the evidence and stick it to them.

We will be only too delighted to help you.

[finsnan]

I certainly feel like sticking something on them. This is driving me mad...

[ODC]

Originally Posted by BankFodder

Although you can send them the letter, it may not have any effect.
I would suggest the more head to head approach.
Don't send them the letter. Instead gather the evidence and stick it to them.

We will be only too delighted to help you.

I agree with most of the numpties the Harassment letter has little or no effect but surely it strenthens any case you have against them when you do report them. After all you have made them aware that you dont want to be telephoned and they still continue to do so after you have proven they have received you letter. Surely a judge would take a dim view of this. There are many folk on here who cannot handle the constant hassle of these phone calls.

Dont get me wrong, I see where you are coming from but which is better evidence 20 unanswered calls a day or 5 calls a day after you have informed them not to phone. They are suuposed to be clever enough to read what you have told them so should therefore be aware of the consequences of the continued calling.

[finsnan]

Don't know whether it's a coincidence or what - I sent my really long letter out to them on Thursday but because of the postal strike on Friday didn't expect them to receive it until Saturday...

However I have not had a call from HSBC since Thursday. It's spooky now. Mind you, they did stop for a couple of weeks when I wrote before asking them not to phone me, but then it all started up again So, I won't hold my breath!

[Grrr]

Originally Posted by ODC

What is actually happening is that a computer automatically dials your number if you pick up then its passed to a trained monkey in the call centre. However if all the monkeys are busy they just cut you off. No excuse I know but thats the explanation

Ahhh, so that is why there is always a pause when you answer the phone before someone speaks. Whenever I answer the phone and don't hear somebody answer straight away, I put the phone down anyway.

I get alot of calls, but usually my dad will say Im not in or I will answer and say "my sister" (me) isn't in. I am 27 weeks pregnant though, do you think I could use this to my advantage to stop them pestering me? As in, it's casuing me too much stress?

[ScarletPimpernel]

I recently complained to HSBC about telephone calls. Their reply is risible: apparently they are only attempting to contact me to prevent further charges being added to my account, but have now deleted my number from their records.

I replied suggesting that if they want to prevent charges being added, all they have to do is to not add them, not least because they are unlawful and I'll be claiming them all back. Not heard from them since.

[Fuzzgin]

Regal have started their calls to me again after my letter stating that I would deal with them by telephone only. The peace lasted a few months. I've made a note of date and time but as the calls are on my mobile (which I don't answer unless I know who is calling). I can't save the messaes (anyone know how to save them for longer than 2 days with t-mobile?) I'll now send the harassment letter.

[ODC]

Well at least you have the satisfaction of knowing they have F all on you so you may as well ignore them and their lying threats

[finsnan]

Should have known it was too good to be true! Despite the letter, two more calls last night, one today (so far)..

And it's been a week now since I wrote my complaint (I think they have a five day response target?) not even a holding letter!

I hate HSBC

[dolphin939]

Hi i am receiving harassment calls from Halifax they are ringing my landline number and mobile number approximately 15 calls a day, i am with virgin media if i contact them would they be able to log the calls and send me a list of when they have telephoned? I have also sent the Halifax a letter of harassment.
Lorraine x

[ODC]

Just keep detailed records of the dates and times of all their calls. The Mods on here are building up a file on the tactics of all these companies and will advise you about legal action