Hi Trev. I dealt with these people last year. Luckily, eventually, I was able to settle with them but the stress they caused me was immense, which is their method of operation. I still have a lot of outstanding debt but all of the others are quite reasonable and understanding. This lot bully and harass to get their filthy money and I don't know how they sleep at night. But, despite the threats and intimidation they will always do a deal. It seems though that they haven't got much of a case so stick to your guns and follow the good advice on here. Chin Up and Don't Let The B******s Grind You Down. They are the Financial equivalents of wheel clampers.

Don't worry, Pink. I've got written, watertight confirmation that our dealings are done and settled. I insisted on nothing less before I parted with any money.

Thanks, Mock. Oh yes, I've seen the back of them or there'll be BIG trouble. Just a couple of pointers: make sure that you check the recorded delivery details; check your outstanding balance (assuming you sent them £1) on future letters - they used my quid to reduce the account; and, they'll probably fail to send you the credit agreement, so keep an eye on the dates. Of course, the fact that they improperly used my £1 to reduce the balance proves that they did receive my CCA, so it's all ammunition if it gone to court.

OK Folks, I've settled with AIC at a very reduced rate, despite the earlier insistance from the Scottish Female that they wanted the lot and nothing less! I got written assurances from them that they will not pass on or pursue the balance and neither will anyone else. I know it's galling having to deal with these people but at least they're now off my back and I've got a reasonable settlement out of it. The main point is this; despite the poison and pressure they try to inflict on you they will always do a deal, so take them to the wire every time! Many thanks to you all for your help and advice. I've got a few more problems going on so I'll still be around for a bit, and if I can help anyone who is having probems with this shower I'll be happy to do so.

Thanks All. Yes, the font was "handwritten", the only clue was the small print at the bottom which stated Link Financial. I wouldn't mind but I wrote them a proper letter which they have not responded to. Instead they're trying to drag me in to one of these stupid, intimidating games. I'm going through all this with AIC at the moment so I certainly don't need this!

Has anyone any experience of this outfit? They suddenly took over my HSBC debts about a month ago and I was deluged with letters, some repeated, on a mix of their letterheads and HSBC's. I had previously been dealing with Metropolitan and had a payment arrangement of £1 per month. I wrote to Link offering an Income / Expenditure list, although I'd previously supplied this to Metropolitan, but yesterday I received a postcard inviting me to phone "Helen" urgently. The postcard trick smacks of Allied International Credit's dubious tactics. Needless to say, I won't be accepting this invite!

Well done you two. It's very encouraging to see these people get a bloody nose!

Interesting! I hadn't thought of that. Anyway, the CCA request was delivered to them on 27th January and I've received nothing back. Is the limit 12 working days?

Thanks Hunter. You know, the really funny thing is that I don't think SHE had seen my CCA letter. This is obviously a standard response at this stage of proceedings. It all starts with the postcard (wish you weren't here!), then the phone calls, and now this. Anyway, the ball's in their court now. Let's see what they come back with.

Here's the latest. A letter has just arrived from them threatening legal action. It's dated 28th Jan which is when SHE phoned last. It's entitled "OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT" and states that AIC are prepared to make an offer of settlement. Funny that! SHE has been insisting that they'll settle for nothing less than the full whack. No figure is mentioned so I'll drop them a line to see what they have to say for themselves. The CCA request is now on working day number 5.

God, I'm seething! Just had a call from the Scottish Female at home, at 7:30 in the evening, claiming that she hadn't received my letter and demanding to know if I'm going to pay. I've just checked the recorded delivery details and it was delivered yesterday. She's either lying or it's stuck in their internal system. Apparently I'm going straight to Litigation now!

Thanks, Berry. I've added a sentence to the CCA request to say that I'll only communicate in writing from now on. I'll hold the rest of your letter in reserve for when I get their response. If they send me another "Notice of Intended Visit" they'll get it. I'm sure they won't be able to furnish a copy of the original agreement, at least within the time limit.

Right, the CCA request goes off tomorrow by Recorded Delivery. I couldn't believe it when the Scottish Female phoned me today even though we had arranged to speak on Wednesday next week! Talk about keeping up the pressure.

Well thank you all for your messages. I've been in emotional turmoil all day, thinking about these evil people and worrying about what they can do. But then I focus on the fact that I'm not refusing to pay, it just needs to be a reasonable, affordable amount. I just wonder what effect they must have on people who are weaker and more vulnerable than me! They've obviously got no conscience.

Thanks for that SH. It was a loan for £2500 taken out with Clydesdale Finance, who were subsequently absorbed by Barclays Partner Finance. Another of my creditors is Goldfish which has been taken over by Barclaycard. They too were quick to involve First Credit. They've been demanding but not unpleasant like AIC. So it seems that Barclays second division lenders are quite hard on people in trouble.

Thanks for that, LTWFB. My eyes are opening! I should also mention that I have maintained dialogue and contact with them from the start yet they still say that I've not responded to them.

Hello All. I've been reading some of the horror stories of peoples' experience of this outfit. It all sounds so familiar as I've also had the dreaded yellow postcard and "Notice of Intended Visit" , etc. The phone calls are amazing too. The latest one yesterday consisted of the Scottish female shouting at me, "You've had many opportunities to pay this. No more excuses." I've had no opportunities to pay because I've had no money! I'm very soon to receive some funds but their original settlement of £3900 is no longer available. They want just over £5000, plus I've made an interim payment of £250. They are threatening bankruptcy, attachment of earnings, seizure of my bike, which I keep telling them is my only transport to work, and so on. Nasty, nasty people! I have several other creditors, most of whom have been happy to negotiate, unlike these. My original debt was £2500. I'm going to ask for the CCA. What do others think? I'm prepared to pay, but their demand is greedy and excessive.