Hahaha... Unreal, you really think they (the collectors on the other end of the phone) 'hate it'. As if. You're living in an imaginary world - I'm sure most collectors go home at the end of the day and have a life and forget about their day (and probably have a bit of a laugh when they get verbal from some lowlife), rather than go home and type religiously on forums day-in day-out such as you GodMother. Don't mind me, I just thought I'd see how all you lovely people were getting along - I'm off again for a while, probably to spend some money. KEEP GOING DCAs... Apparently, if the Banks lose the charges court case, customers who don't get into debt might not be entitled to 'free banking' and will instead be charged for standard current accounts. Seeing as only 3% of customers' accounts fall into collections, it doesn't really seem fair that the majority of those who do pay and manage to gain employment and not spend their week's doll money on wide screen televisions and family outings to McDonalds, should be penalised for that 3%. Ciao you lot

Why do you have to stipulate the nationality of the advisor? Doing so has added no substance to your argument, indeed it has illustrated something about you as a person.

Oh you're one of the affable intellectuals from the other forum, are you? I was actually responding to N.P. - a courteous individual who didn't dissect and manipulate every sentence I wrote and then turn it into a confrontation. I have since offered sound information to N.P. in regard to 'White Listing' - anything other than the topic of White Listing was merely chat, not concrete advice. You're correct that DCAs, in a majority of cases, don't desist with piling on charges, but they should - I'm saying they should, not that they do. Since corresponding with N.P. I'm actually done here. I trust the conversation on the other forum is fruitful and constructive, and no doubt certain contributors are continuing to carry the bastion of right-wing rhetoric, which in no way, adds any value or substance to the topic at hand that is debt collectors. All the very best. N.P. Hope the previous information helped

I'm not sure

jj

So if I didn't care I would never have posted a comment explaining the often ignoble procedures that DCAs follow? I see. Seems that most people are just looking to blame their debt on others. Anyway, I'm leaving this forum and won't be checking it again, so 'quoting' my replies will serve no purpose whatsoever as I won't be bothering to check. Good luck to those who have been ill treated by these companies, and that is sincere. Conniff - your 'foreign aid' quote illustrates what you're like as a person perfectly. Your debt: maybe stop spending the 45p everyday on the Daily Mail, that way you'll be getting somewhere with your arrears! Ha.

I agree, 20-30 calls per day is excessive. I was merely questioning the legitimacy of what you had written as, unfortunately, there are lots of rumours which circulate regarding what is legal and what isn't.

This is a fair point. Maybe if you responded to the letters or, even better, paid your debt, they wouldn't be calling you at all? Think about that one.

You've read too much into that. If a debt agency buys the debt, they will follow procedures to claim what is owed by the party in debt - this is often when assets are taken from the party in question, simply because there is no other option for [them] to clear their debt. Yes, it needs to go through court, but with debt rising it's becoming a more common occurrence. So what I said isn't entirely erroneous. Anyway, don't bite my head off, I was merely trying to give some advice Good luck, you probably need it?

Opening another account is a good idea, however, banks have started using a new credit defaulting system called 'White Listing'. This means that your details are passed to credit reference agencies for the period that your account(s) are in arrears. Subsequently, your credit rating goes down, and when banks or building societies look to open a new account with you, they'll have the knowledge that you have an account in arrears and are more than likely to, until you're removed from the White List, refuse you finance of any sort. Unfortunately this is a relatively new system and anyone whose accounts are in collections get automatically passed over, however, as soon as you clear [them] your details are removed from the White List during the next calender month. This latest consequence has tightened the grip that creditors have over those who are in debt. Just thought I'd let you know Best wishes.

That's contradictory, then. If they're allowed to ring you before 9pm, then after 7pm and before 9pm isn't against the law?!!! Err.

Firstly, the debt collections agencies have to adhere to a 'collectors code' - you can view these procedures by contacting the FSA (Financial Services Authority). Collection agencies are not allowed to behave in the ways that you've illustrated. However, your debt needs to be dealt with. You don't have to offer as much as £30 per month. I suggest you contact CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau). CAB will probably tell you to make an offer which is a fraction of the £30 you originally offered. Regardless of whether or not the debt agency accepts it or not, you have made an offer. It is highly unlikely your house will be repossessed, however, what could happen is that you'll be credit defaulted (bad credit rating for 6 years - affects jobs, loans, bank accounts, etc). Alternatively, the debt might get sold to a debt recovery agent. If this happens you'll have bailiffs knocking on the the door. My advice to you from someone who has experience from the collections side of things is this: Speak to the FSA - if the agency has been using inappropriate techniques over the phone, you can check up on this. Speak to CAB and get them to go over your finances, then they can act as a third party working on your behalf. Don't fret, it is highly unlikely your house will be taken - this would be a rather unorthodox approach to take for a debt of only £1300. If things get really bad, speak to a regulatory body, such as the Financial Ombudsman, Consumer Direct, or Trading Standards. And remember, you're not the only one out there - millions of people can't afford to pay their debt and there are people out there in the same position as you. Unfortunately for you, the debt agencies and corporate companies have a lot of weight and power, however, if you use the above advice it will certainly mitigate any potential potent problems you face in the near future. Above all, make sure you do stay in contact with the agency - as soon as you explain to them that you're seeking advice from a third party, they should, logically, stop ringing all the time because they're privy to the fact that ringing you will get them nowhere - it will also buy you some time. I hope this helps.

Most banks will send out letters before calling customers who are in arrears - the letters give the customer reasonable time to contact the bank in order to discuss the arrears. If the customer fails to do so, and this is very common, how else is the bank meant to move forward in dealing with peoples' debts? Most people are in debt because they've used money that isn't theirs, however, I totally agree that banks make errors, and when errors are made, these should be rectified forthwith. My friend banks with Lloyds TSB and has had the debt collection centre in Brighton calling him, however, there are safeguards in place to ensure that these people are not fraudsters. For example, they'll ask for the first line of your address, post code and date of birth, then you're more than entitled to ask them a series of questions - failing that, why not just ask for a telephone number to call them back on, then you can verify it?! It seems that people are looking for any excuse not to pay what it is [they] owe. And, I don't believe that calling customers is illegal. If banks continue to do so time and time again then, yes, it may constitute harrassment, however, simply calling you up occasionally isn't. Pay your debts - you make it more expensive for the rest of us who manage our money! Lovelove