Written by John Kruse, one of the leading experts on Bailiff Law, this consumer friendly guide is essential reading for anyone who comes into contact with a bailiff.
The book is easy to understand and clearly explains the rights
a bailiff has, and also what they cannot do when collecting debts and repossessing goods etc.
I wonder if anybody could offer a little advice on how I should handle this...I'm absolutely livid!!
I took out a loan with Household Bank/HFC in November 2005 - stupidly after being offered it when I finished paying off my PC World PC. Fell for their 'you are high risk and we can help' speech and borrowed £6000 from them. Was mis-sold PPI on the basis that I wouldn't be approved without it, and agreed to pay them £247.00 for 42 months (I chose the amount as I didn't want to be paying it forever - how stupid to think I was in control!!) I set up the direct debit with my bank for the beginning of the month as I knew the funds would always be in my acc, however, would religiously get a call from the branch saying the payment hadn't gone through (odd as the bank never charged me for a bounced DD). Nontheless I always paid on my card to keep my account spick and span. Girls from the local branch were always ded nice about it and made sure I didn't get any charges as it was paid before the 2 week deadline.
In July 2006 I asked for a holiday payment (dealt direct with my local branch) and was told this wasn't a problem and it would just be tacked to the end of my loan. Ok I thought, still 42 payments...just a lil bit longer to finish. I requested a second holiday payment in July 2007 and again told this was no problem, it would just be added to the end.
Now...I'm knowing I can't have that long left till this is paid up so I called and spoke to my local branch (end of Sept) to find out when I'm due to finish paying my loan. I was told January 2010....and I was gobsmacked as I had made 31 payments totalling £7,627.55 out of a total of £10,334.10. In my estimation I owe them £2,706.55 and should be due to finish paying in August 2009 (this is with the 2 extra months tacked on the end) when I explained this, I was told it was because I had had 2 payment restructures on my account. The lady who I spoke to couldn't understand how they could justify throwing an extra 5 months on my loan and agreed that I should have finished paying in Aug 09. She also stated that they don't do holiday payments but when she looked through my notes and read it back to me, it said that I had requested a holiday payment.
I was told I needed to speak to collections as they had been dealing with my account (these guys are in Birmingham) and I said I have only ever dealt with the local branch but rang them anyway. They confirmed that they have never dealt with me and I needed to liaise with my branch as my account was up-to-date. With this I requested a meeting with the branch manager to discuss and met with her on 10th Oct. I took my hubby as I had put a letter in the week previously about the mis-sold PPI and I wanted to keep this separate and felt a little bit intimidated. She also agreed that the charges were ludicrous and said she would lodge a complaint on my behalf. She confirmed that up till 12 months ago, collections were dealt with in-house, which confirmed to me that their staff have buggered things up. She also said that my loan had been restructured, once when I asked for the first holiday payment and then in January 2008!!! My payments have never changed and I have never recieved anything to say that my loan has been stretched the length of the M6. I know she has lodged the complaint for me as I received a letter of them acknowledging the investigation, but as I said to her, she works for them, not me and I don't trust them one little bit. So... after having this meeting, the branch manager could not offer me a valid reason as to how and why this had happened and I just don't know where to go with it next. As I said, I'm livid and will not let it drop and have scoured looking for somebody in a similar situation and I can't stand not knowing my rights and knowing I'm being had good and proper!!! Anyway, anyone out there that can help me???
This might be one the Financial Ombudsman might enjoy getting their teeth into.
I would in the first instance, make an Official Complaint to the company. Bullet point all of your concerncs. They have a certain amount of time within in which to resolve your complaint - 8 weeks I think. If they havent sorted it to your satisfaction, then make a complaint to the fos.
I would be inclined to keep everything in writing from now on, keep copies of everything you send and at the very least send your letters recorded delivery so you have proof of posting and receipt.
1: Making a PPI claim ? - Q & A's and spreadsheets for single premium policy -HERE
2: Take back control of your finances -Debt Diaries
3: Feel Bullied by Creditors or Debt Collectors?Read Here
When the Liberals and Conservatives were in opposition, they both agreed that banks should pay back high bank charges to customers. Nothing seems to have happened since they came into power as a coalition. PPI Insurance has been sorted. Now they should turn their attention to bank charges and help customers get exorbitant charges refunded.
Advice & opinions given by citizenb are personal, are not endorsed by Consumer Action Group or Bank Action Group, and are offered informally, without prejudice & without liability. Your decisions and actions are your own, and should you be in any doubt, you are advised to seek the opinion of a qualified professional.
PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO GIVE ADVICE BY PM - IF YOU PROVIDE A LINK TO YOUR THREAD THEN I WILL BE HAPPY TO OFFER ADVICE THERE
Thanks for giving me some feedback on this, much appreciated. It's really frustrating as I know what they are doing is unlawful and I'm just not having it. Do you think I should still lodge my complaint even though the manager @ the local branch did one for me? I would welcome my case going before the Ombudsman!
Yes, definitely lodge your own complaint. I wouldnt be that confident the manager will present your complaint as you want it to be. You could start your letter along the lines of
"Further to my meeting with Mr X at ?? Branch on Xx XXX 2008, etc, "
Mark it clearly OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. Leave them in no doubt that is exactly what you are making.
1: Making a PPI claim ? - Q & A's and spreadsheets for single premium policy -HERE
2: Take back control of your finances -Debt Diaries
3: Feel Bullied by Creditors or Debt Collectors?Read Here
When the Liberals and Conservatives were in opposition, they both agreed that banks should pay back high bank charges to customers. Nothing seems to have happened since they came into power as a coalition. PPI Insurance has been sorted. Now they should turn their attention to bank charges and help customers get exorbitant charges refunded.
Advice & opinions given by citizenb are personal, are not endorsed by Consumer Action Group or Bank Action Group, and are offered informally, without prejudice & without liability. Your decisions and actions are your own, and should you be in any doubt, you are advised to seek the opinion of a qualified professional.
PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO GIVE ADVICE BY PM - IF YOU PROVIDE A LINK TO YOUR THREAD THEN I WILL BE HAPPY TO OFFER ADVICE THERE
HFC & ridiculous holiday payment charges
on the basis that I wouldn't be approved without it, and agreed to pay them £247.00 for 42 months (I chose the amount as I didn't want to be paying it forever - how stupid to think I was in control!!) I set up the direct debit
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Re: HFC & ridiculous holiday payment charges
