Apparently, they were originally sending the bills here addressed to previous tenant, then they changed that, billing to the housing association but still addressed here. It was only when they addressed the bill to the "Present Occupier" did I open their letter and here I am. There's been some progress made since though it's been frustrating. Before I could save the £80 they demanded, the bill had been updated to £220+ putting me back to square one. I called again but they were still adamant not to set up a new account until at least 50% of the arrears were paid. This has now increased to £320+ though I've now paid £100 so it's back down to £220+. I'll get there in the end. Thanks for everyone's support and advice.

Sorry I missed the fact the council were only offering temporary housing for now - that's good for several reasons but not if your dog is excluded. On that note, and I realise you've already got an offer for accomodation, I'd be happy to mind (Argus is it?) for as long as it takes and happily return him to you when asked. As for an attempted break in, I reckon it's just scare tactics though how far they're willing to go is unsure. At least they haven't carried out their threat to commit arson which implies they're just cowardly bullies as previously mentioned. Does Argus bark when such things occur? That is usually enough deterrent to any burglar. Please document as much as you can, I feel you're going to be very busy making official complaints about they way you're treated by all - officials especially! This thread is pretty much a good diary to refer back to. Talk about a nightmare! I hope it ends soon for you all, Kat.

I understand DCA's are an imported business from the very makers of the credit crunch - the good ole US of A. No doubt it proved to be a very lucrative business model over there so the greedy UK banks that saw a chance to have their cake and eat it obviously couldn't resist and jumped on the bandwagon. But we're British! It doesn't surprise me that they're now failing. Nothing can overcome the British public's fighting spirit. Pity that quality doesn't surface more often IMO.

(Don't quote me but) I'm pretty sure you're allowed to refuse their first (and second I think) offer without reason or penalty. Within reason, you can refuse every offer until they find one to your satisfaction. Shelter should have more info if you need it and I'm surprised they haven't brought it up previously. Best wishes!

I'd like to use such a weapon, can you explain how please as I'm not sure what's permitted and how to make it legal and upfront? I don't want to earn but it would some trophy to get a payment or even a CCJ against these offensive practitioners.

Good on you Pinky

Oh how I would love to get a doorstep caller - whenever I'm verbally threatened with one, I ask them "please do" I'd love to have the opportunity to meet these cowards face to face! But unfortunately, everything's gone rather quiet. I don't get phone calls anymore and the letters have stopped. I don't know if other forces (TS, OFT, FSA etc) are at play but it seems they are not so willing to put on paper any of what they say over the phone.

Yesterday, I sent the 'failure to satisfy CCA request' letter to Barclays concerning the lesser debt of the two. This morning, I had a call from a new DCA called Apex Credit Management but refused to play their game and sent them packing. Later today, I get a letter from Apex regarding the higher amount debt - which RMA, Westminsters, SC Leatham have all threatened/demanded the full amount. For this debt, I sent a CCA request to RMA before Christmas and haven't heard back yet. This is the first contact I've had regarding this debt (if I ignore all the telephone call attempts). What should I do? Nothing?

DCA: Can I speak to Mr MT please? ME: Who's calling? DCA: I'm calling from Co Name ME: Are you another DCA? DCA: Yes, can I take a few minutes of your time? ME: Who authorised you to break the law? Can I have your name please? I've already written to demand these calls stop so I'm taking notes to bring to court....hello?.....helllllllllllllllllllooooooooooo?.........Thanks for calling, have a lice day

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I seem to make a habit of answering my own questions Having got the basic info straight in my head, I called BG again with a mind to making them do the work for me and as luck would have it, got a very helpful soul who demanded he do the working out for me, found I would have been better off, deleted all my previous statements and recalculated the last 12 months bills under the Price Protection 2010 tariff. My account is now £69 in credit including the missing £9.98 so I've saved ~£60. Again, thanks to CAG for just being there (here). It's encourage and empowered me to see more clearly when I do decide to raise my head out of the sand.

Hi, I wonder if anyone can give me some advise on my gas tariff? I moved into this property Nov07 and informed British Gas, giving a meter reading but not my Direct Debit details because everything was still in boxes. Anyway, eventually get it all sorted and letters came, which were just filed away until yesterday when I had a bit of an administrative spring-clean. I noticed one letter from BG, dated 17th June 2008 tells me that they've put me on the cheapest fixed price tariff called Price Protection 2010. I then registered my account online so I could view my billing history but it isn't showing me the first two statements (28/2/08 and 31/3/08 ) - "temporarily unavailable". Either way, I could see no information on my tarriff, even trying to find their price list for it proved difficult to say the least. Incidentally, with both the "temporarily unavailable" statements, the page is also telling me the balance was £9.98 in credit but it wasn't brought forward to the next statement 1/7/08. Following a confusing telephone conversation yesterday with BG, I've been informed I am actually on the Standard Gas tariff. It was suggested I send a copy of the letter stating I was on the Price Protection 2010 tariff back to BG and ask they honour this so I may get a refund. However, I've since learnt that that tariff carries a 2.8% premium for Gas only customers and I'm not sure if I'll come out better or worse off. I can't afford to throw money away and if I've been overcharged, I want a refund. But if it proves I've actually paid less on this Standard tariff, I don't want to have to pay them more! And how can I reclaim that missing £9.98?

I'm glad I got CAG on my side! It's raised my spirits seeing darcus' letter is the very same I'd recieved. I've never had a problem with Barclays until RMA were set loose on me and even then held no grudge against Barclays, but this letter changes all that. Gloves are off. I'd like to spend time learning the specific laws off by heart (because I am willing to go to court) but I'd really need it in a much condensed form - is there a "Law for Dummies" series anywhere?

If I'd scanned and posted the actual letter, someone less dim than me might have jumped on this one... The letter is signed; Persons Name Court Orders and Disclosures Legal and Regulatory Compliance I could be in for a long fight, no?

I'm afraid I am guilty of writing a nasty word in code when I was quoting what I had previously said to a DCA when I lost my temper. I apologise and can assure the site team I won't post suchlike again. Having said that, I don't think it was to this thread I posted but apologies all the same to everyone for any inconvenience I've caused. EDIT: I've edited my post (that was in another thread) now to save the admins the work of tracking it down and deleting it.

Over 18 but certainly not a Barclays customer. But either way, surely the onus is not for me to prove a negative? Without further advice I'm going to send rory's letter.

Yikes, I've only read to the end of the BARCLAYS page and it's quite an eye-opener. Seems they're able to bully and blame the government even though they admitted anti-competitive colaboration with ACCESS. But what about my position, is the letter from Rory (above) adequate and accurate in this case? - doesn't seem to be many threads about this "strategy" to avoid duties under CCA.

I recently read what Barclaycard claim as their CONDITIONS and it quite clearly state they may pass on the debt, duties etc etc to anyone they like without informing you. So make what you will of that.

And I would happily join your team noomill060 - I have a certain personal "attraction" towards bullies. This is a shocking story and should make the press at least! Kat, I know what private landlords and their agents are like, having suffered them for decades. When I got served notice to quit, they had to wait 30 days before getting the court hearing, then, on applicaiton, the judge allowed us a further 30 days to find somewhere suitable so don't worry about being homeless for now though I understand your desperation to get out of that awful place. As for doorstep callers, can you put a sign on the door telling cold-callers to go away or risk being arrested for tresspass? On that note, the police are being downright lazy or were poorly trained as you have a legal right to have tresspassers removed from your doorstep if they won't go when you ask. Heaven forbid you don't have to but when you next report an unwanted caller, inform the police that unless something is done soon there may a serious breach of the peace. Also, you may want to report the tresspasser (unless they give you written noticification they are who they say they are I would regard them as criminals with intent) as someone who is "demanding money with menaces" which is a criminal offence! You should seek a free consulation with a solicitor though, there is too much for you to deal with at once. Another tip, which is in accord with earlier advice - hassle the council over your housing situation, even if things are going your way, make yourself a nuisance and they will act faster to get rid of you! They have such an easy life, it doesn't take much hassling to get on their nerves. You might also want to report the officer to the police complaints commision, sounds like you've been severely prejudged by the officer as bringing this all on yourself. I know working in the poice service can make officers insensitive and uncaring but prejudice doesn't begin to explain this. If it's not laziness, it's incompetence I'm sure. By the way, making a police complaint will get you minimum, the personal attention of the highest ranking officer at that station (who cannot afford to be stupid as the plod).

Yes, you're quite correct Captain Sensible, it was stupid of me to put temptation in people's way. I'll see if I can edit it out and remember to act more sensibly on public forums.

The DCA's said it was a real worry because they always get a lot of nasty mail - I wonder why!! (not)

EDITED OUT in the name of sensibility.

What I meant was: I can assure you I have not entered into any agreement with Barclays before May 1985, not by a long chalk but how do I prove a negative? Surely they must provide the evidence that they're relying on not to send a true copy of my original executed agreement? As for my credit file, I recently got a free 30-day trial (then spammed to death from all sorts of financial services!) and although there are (fairly recent) entries relating to Barclays, nothing about debts, loans, credit, payments or defaults etc. I'm not sure why Barclays is on my file other than it co-incides with when I moved home (notifying them).

I wonder why it was de-criminalised anway? Obviously there was a reason it was made an offence in the first place, what's changed their minds?

I wouldn't approach the CAB for many reasons, you're better off by far using the advice on this forum, it's a real eye-opener! Please don't take my post as proper legal advice, I'm just another debtor suffering at the hands of the illegal, immoral and disgusting DCA industry passing on what I've learnt from here. I would expect others on here to advise you to put the account into dispute until you can investigate what your rights are. If you dispute the debt, they cannot add further charges, chase you for payment and will have to start playing on your terms. Good luck, relax and wait for the good news this thread will bring you.