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.
Blair Oliver and Scott
After being an avid reader for many months with everybody elses posting on Blair Oliver and Scott, also known as Bank of Scotland, aka HalifaxBOS ad infinitum. I now am in a position to add to the growing ranks of malcontents.
I have a debt with Halifax Visa that has been transfered to BOS.
I began writing to Halifax letting them know I was in financial difficulty and could they accept a reduced monthly payment (as per Payplan et als guidelines) Answer came their none. Letters kept going out. I did call once ( I now live in France) and premium rates from here are horrendous.
To cut a long story short, no reply from Halifax until I get a letter from Mssrs Blair Oliver Scott, saying that they were now handling the debt.
I started writing to them requesting info on how to pay, and offering a way of paying through a released sum from my pension. Again no replies, I did phone and got no help...just another expensive phone bill.
I finally got in contact with a Jane Smyth at BOS, who said she would request a copy of the original agreement and pass it on to me. I still was awaiting confirmation of my payment acceptance and how to pay. This was on the 25th January that she wrote to me. Plus a very polite, if we can be of further service please get in contact.
I did send a Postal mandate from france to BOS for a "token payment of honour" until such time as they confirmed acceptance of my offer. Cashed!
Today I find the debt has been given/sold to Blue stone who gave/sold it toTCI int, who have got in touch with me via ETCI in France , and in the meantime a further 990 euros has been added on for good measure.
I phoned BOS today and got the runaround....40 euros later, "the computer said no", no explination, no apology..just a blank wall of scripted.."were very sorry but no".
I am still awaiting reply to my request for a copy of the original contract.
I have sent a report off to the ombudsmen, and await their reply.
In the meanwhile I dont know what my next move is...can I just tell them to go whistle for it..(which is what I do feel like doing, and I can understand why many people do). But I do have a sense of honour and responsibility that I can get some clarity on the matter despite te fact that I was lied to by Jane Smyth and others at BOS, so I can start paying a sum to them as I suggested in September. Anyone who has handled this situation before I'd appreciate another set of eyes on it. The debt is in the UK and I live now in France. 'By way of a bit of humour I translated BOS into french and got "mauvaise odeur de corps"..or body odeur to you and me) WalkingBear
Bonjour bear. First things first, you need to make a complaint to BOS highlighting everthing you have said above. Supply copies of letters you have received and insist you have your account reinstated by BOS, that a payment plan is drawn up and that the debt collectors disappear.
On the letter state that your account is now in dispute. This means that it is under investigation and therefore, none of the debt collecting agencies can do anything with your debt until the matter is resolved. From what I've seen elsewhere, this could result in the DCA giving the debt back to BOS.
Whatever you send, ensure it is sent recorded delivery (do they have similar in france?) otherwise send it to a UK relative who can send it recorded. Give them a deadline in which they need to respond by and point out you will pass this information on to the FSA, Financial Ombudsmen et al if you do not hear from them.
Don't let them get away with it!
If my post has been useful, tip my scales and let me know
Hau T4FF, thanks for the reply and info. I have put together a letter with your suggestins in bold type so they can read it better. Yes Registerd letters from france not a problem...all my letters to them have been regd.
My worry, and I guess BOS know this is now that a DCA in France "have bought the debt, I will get the Gendarmes knocking on my porte at midnight! The Credit card debt is not (as far as Im aware) secured to anything, but the threat of such is always in the back of my mind.
The lack of clarity and general underhand way that BOS et al seem to work does not inspire confidence in me that they wont try something behind my back..as they have already shown in selling on the debt.
Having said all that..I'm glad to have joined up here and realise that Im just one of many who will be there when the revolution comes and BOS and there "kind" are first up against the wall!
Toksha
Bear
The only problem you have is whether or not the French DCA follows the same rules as they do in the UK. If you say the account is in dispute what will that mean to them? Will it has the desired affect it would in the UK. If I were you I would be trying to establish that now in advance of them knocking on your porte!
Be safe in the knowledge that if you have written confirmation from BOS that they are sorting it and then they have gone on to sell your debt, the FSA / Ombudsmen would not be very happy to hear about it.
If my post has been useful, tip my scales and let me know
The lack of clarity and general underhand way that BOS et al seem to work does not inspire confidence in me that they wont try something behind my back..as they have already shown in selling on the debt.
Having said all that..I'm glad to have joined up here and realise that Im just one of many who will be there when the revolution comes and BOS and there "kind" are first up against the wall!
Toksha
Bear
Get in touch with the French company and explain that you are in dispute with Blair et al regarding the debt.
THe fact that you have issued (I hope) a section 78 order Blair et al and (Ihope) the prescribed time interval has elapsed Blair are in le poo as they were with me. The arcive systme with Blair Oliver & Scott appears to be a shambles and I think that they realise this. In the meantime I would ask for a copy of your credit file from Experain et al, if they have been issuing your info hit them with the Information Commissioner
Blair Oliver Scott...help needed!
Blair Oliver and Scott
, aka HalifaxBOS ad infinitum. I now am in a position to add to the growing ranks of malcontents.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by WalkingBear
