SLC / Smith Lawson and a DMP

[PaladinX]

Recently received a letter from Smith Lawson demanding payment of £156.65, which is basically the total of fees slapped on due to wrangling over deferral.



I have been on a Debt Management Plan (DMP) for the last 2 years (with CCCS) and all my other creditors have been fairly good, but the SLC have been a pain, between constant calls and letters (which they've charged me for), I have explained time and again to their incompetant staff about my circumstances and yet they persist, I've had no end of trouble getting them to send out deferment forms either!



I have never missed a payment to them although when starting the DMP the payment amount reduced.



I do not earn more than the threshold either, I actually have two loans with them, one that is deducted from wages, the other is via Direct Debit. it is the latter that the problems are with.



What I would like advice on is:-



a) Would I have a claim to void the charges?



b) Is there anything else I could do - I almost wish they would pass me on to a proper debt recovery company (for the proper loan) as they are easier to deal with!



I'm incredibly reluctant to get this amount added to my DMP as it is just adding to my debt.



All help and advice gratefully received!



PaladinX

[Marsky]

Can you ask for the fees to be paid back to you as unlawfull charged on your account?
See other threads for info how to Ive started the ball rolling in my case.

[Marsky]

1. Data Protection Act, Subject Access Request letter - List of charges

[noomill060]

To get the £20 penalties removed, you will need to go through the same proceedure for claiming back bank penalty charges.

They WILL remove them PLUS the interest charged, but you will have to start a small claim to force them to.

Its no point trying to to reason with them, but the prospect of court appearence scares the sh!te out of them.