Hi all

need some help here

have done SAR, got statements, asked nicely for money back... was going to use it to clear my overdraft, the bulk of which is covered by the charges. Got a nasty letter from HSBC collections

Wrote to them and said account was in dispute, please cease from any further action until the account issues are resolved

and guess what they have passed the debt to a collection agency

is this lawfull?

what can i do to chase the debt agency away?

can i complain about hsbc

any ideas???

Hi,

I'm no expert, but there are a few people who might be along shortly can put you right. It is my understanding that once a debt is in dispute, nothing can be done with it until the dispute is resolved.

Cheers,

Lee

re MCS , they have a website www.paymcs.com where payments can be made and also has contact details. they are are very heavy handed and agressice collection service which fits in with HSBC's handling of my wife's account

I have a strange feeling that the account is not in dispute until you file a claim through the court. I maybe wrong about that though. Have you filed a claim with your court yet?

Metro are a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC in other words its just HSBC's debt collection department.

Like all debt collection companies all they care about is getting money off you and they can be pretty heavy handed doing it. Just keep replying to any letters they send confirming that the debt is in dispute and they should refer the matter back to HSBC.

If they phone you (and they will try this) tell them you don't discuss financial matters over the phone and put all of their questions it in writing, it worth noting they are not allowed to talk to you if you don't answer their security questions so don't answer them

The balance of your account (the debt) is in dispute as soon as you ask for your charges back however they could try to argue this point if you haven't started litigation.

Have a look at post #213, #314 and #319 on my thread if you want some ideas about what to put in letters.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/hsbc-bank/85633-castelbest-ii-return-claims.html

good luck

pete

As it is a bit quiet on here at the moment I have done a little bit of researching into when an account becomes in dispute. Here is a post from a site helper to someone who asked a few questions regarding this matter.

Q1. At what point does a queery about a debt formally become a dispute?

A: When you dispute the amount owed, whether this be partially or in it's entirety, and have presented the dispute in writing.

Q2. What is not allowed while a debt is in dispute?

A: The creditor is not lawfully allowed to take any action against an account while it is in dispute.

Q3. Who ultimatly do you complain to if the creditor is ignoring the protocol while a debt is in dispute?

A: The creditor themselves, Trading Standards, the OFT and the FOS.

Q4. Two of the CRA's show defaults on my report, these are now over four and a half years old, the third CRA, Equifax, does not show these defaults and looks ok, Any ideas as to why they dont appear on the Equifax report?

A: Different companies use different CRA's. Equifax and Experian don't share info on defaults.

Q5. If a default stays on your credit file for six years, what happens if after the six years you are still paying it back, its still not settled?

A: It doesn't appear on your credit file, so doesn't affect your credit rating.

I hope this helps

To those asking for a phone number for metropolitan collections (freephone) 0500 992299

thanks maners

ok so where do people that have never banked with HSBC in any way shape or form stand with regards to this collection agency calling them? I've never had an account with HSBC but I have been receiving calls from this collection agency today. Can anyone give me some clue as to how I can stop them calling me as I have no outstanding debt with these people.

Hiya spice have they said why they are calling you? I've never known Metro work for any other bank or financial body so unless they are branching out it will be to do with HSBC.

If they phone again see if you can get some more detail off them.

pete

I live in Slovakia and have asked a friend in the UK to send two recorded delivery letters to their address in Edgbaston Rd, Birmingham as I had to answer two letters from them where there were inaccuracies.

I wrote in May and August, 2nd class recorded delivery.

Neither letters are confirmed as having been received on the royal mail website.

It's not unknown for me to send recorded delivery letters for them to be received but not to come up on the royal mail website.

However, it's a little strange that BOTH recorded delivery letters have not registered.

That is a little strange David, are you sure your friend posted the letters?

pete

Hello,

I'm new at the forum and can't fgure out how to make a new thread, so sorry to interrupt.

Can someone please tell me the address for HSBC's Metropolitan Collection Services?

Many thanks

castlebest

yes, she did. She posted both the post office's recorded delivery receipts...

Sundancer 23

Metropolitan collection Services Ltd

56 St James Road

Edgbaston

Birmingham

B15 1JL

castlebest

 

yes, she did. She posted both the post office's recorded delivery receipts...

Then contact Royal Mail and find out why the letters wernt delivered/no receipts were issued.

pete

Hi all!!

I was just wondering if you knew the contact number for metropolitan if you are ringing from abroad. I have tried to use the UK number but to no avail.

Thanks!!!

Hiya Carolyn, write to them, there is absolutely no point in phoning them they will just try to get money out of you and you wont be able to prove anything you or they have said

the address is above

pete

We are bankrupt and one of the debts was to HSBC. Despite being told by the Official receiver to leave us alone Metropolitan Collections have continued to hound us. If it is illegal to hound someone who is bankrupt how to HSBC get away with it. We have put in a complaint to the FSO but it is taking forever to be dealt with.

I'm assuming Metro are phoning you, start logging the calls you receive and tell them you are doing this, date, time and the name of the person who is calling you.

They shouldn't discuss anything with you until you have answered their security questions so refuse to do this and tell them you don't discuss financial matters over the phone and to write to you instead.

Have you spoken to the FOS? told them you are being harassed by Metro?

pete

Hi! Yes, we have forwarded the threatening letters to the FSO but their complaints apparently have to be delat with in strict order. We are logging the calls but have yet to presuade someone to give us their name. They told us today that they would be applying for a charging order on this house. The thing is that it is my house and it my husband and his business thatg went bakrupt. I was not involved - but just try tellin g them that!! I have written to them again and told them that again and told them that if they do take us to court against the advice of the Official receiver then I will be expecting to get costs. The OR thinks this might stop them but Im not so sure.

I'm a bit rusty on bankruptcy but from memory, once an official receiver has been appointed all creditors must deal with him regarding outstanding debts. This is designed to protect the assets of the person who has gone into insolvency and ensure a fair distribution amongst all of the outstanding creditors.

I would be inclined to write to metropolitan in your husbands name stating that you are in no position to discus financial matters with them and refer them to the official receiver for all further correspondence.

Confirm you will not respond to any further communication and you will be reporting them to the FSA for their harassment to date and to the police if they continue the harassment.

Here's some information on harassment for you;

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/37006-harassment-telephone-response-letter.html

And here's an example of the kind of tone of letter I used with Metro ;

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/hsbc-bank/125577-metropolitan-collection-services-action.html

Keep us posted how your getting on or just shout if you need to know anything else .

pete

Thanks for the info. We had another eight calls yesterday evening and four more thismorning starting at 8am. I have learned (from the Police) that Trading Standards admister the Adminstration of Justice Act , section 40 and so have put in a formal complaint to them - although they tell me that they cant deal with every breach of the act!!! Does that mean that the banks and so on are doing this so much that Trading Standards are overwhelmed? Do you know what - even though this whole thing is a nightmare it great to have found a site where people actually know what you are going through and can actually give you practical help. Brilliant!!!

I have just spoken directly to my local Trading Standards department - rather than going through Consumer Direct. They have asked me to get my case together and they will consider prosecution Yes!!!! This means that the court could look at whther or not HSBC is fit to hold a credit licence. Watch this space!

hi all my first time on so am rather rusty but realy need some good advice.i had a large personal loan with hsbc of 13k that was passed on to metro collection service due to yet another change in my circumstances i have now missed the last 3 months instalments to them can anyone tell me what actions they will now take as i have received no letter regarding this.can you tell me if they can make an attachment of earnings with out telling me. many thanks