Ah, my interpretation of that is the rules still apply, but there's not a lot that can be done about it. No correct company name or telephone number to trace.

Thanks to you both. Surely, unsolicited calls are covered by TPS regardless of where they come from, particularly if it's supposedly a UK company? But I'll look into it. The call was received on my mobile, have to admit, my home line seldom gets calls. Now I must look into who I've given my mobile number to recently, and who has obviously sold on my details. Wish I could find out who the REAL company is though.

UK Helpline services. Has anyone else heard from them? Call received this morning (my number is registered with TPS), from a foreign sounding gentleman, so I'm going to assume that the call centre isn't in this country. Calling me as he wanted to talk about my 'unsecured debt worries'. Needless to say, I pointed out the TPS rules etc, however, this gentleman (and I use that term loosely) actually became quite insistent in his 'script' and then very rude, just repeating TPS TPS TPS TPS over and over again. It's not the first call I've had, but I can't find anything with a company name like he has given to contact. I just wondered if anyone else has had a call from a company purporting to be UK helpline services?

Thanks Bernie - I don't understand any of that, lol. I keep threatening to camp out in the car park until I do find the culprit, but as usual, I'm all 'mouth' ;-)

Thanks AI27 (not sure if that's AI 27 or A127 ;-). I'm not sure but I've a nagging thought in the back of my mind that regardless of signage in any carpark, if negligence can be proved then liability is generally accepted. However, proving negligence is a minefield in itself! I'm very trusting and naive of people, I guess because in an incident like this, I would ALWAYS leave my details, I find it difficult to understand someone that doesn't. I'm not having a good time of late, and this was the 'final straw' so I'm probably feeling a bit indignant. Aside from that, at least I've found out that I'm not happy about security of where my Mum is having to live! But that will be another story.....

Oh, that's good news - and reading the article, it looks like I only just missed out when I handed my previous car back too! Mind you, I'll have to read it thoroughly as I can't see how that could be if, say, a poor driver was claiming for damage they'd done on a regular basis. I've been to the car home practically every day since the incident (5 days ago), whereas I normally only go twice a week, so I am ever hopeful that I may find the offender. But there again, there are deliveries, taxis, etc that aren't regular callers, and of course, the longer it goes on, the higher chance of the other vehicle being repaired. There's enough damage for it to be impossible for the other vehicle not to be aware of the incident (it's not just a 'scuff'), I think i'm more miffed that someone just couldn't be honest enough to leave their details, and the home doesn' keep accurate logs of visitors. As I said to someone today about the lack of security, thank goodness it was only a dented car that's the issue and not something against one of the residents!

I like your analogy, and do see your point.

HB - yes, my car is insured - it's a motability car. I have an excess to pay and it will also mean the loss of my 'good condition bonus' if I claim on the insurance. I haven't yet worked out what is going to be the most economical. My last car cost me a fortune, as it was vandalised 3 times - I guess I'm losing my faith in human nature a little. SS - I'd like to think that my Mum was in a secure environment (she has alzheimer's), I fully expected there to be cctv, but apparently there are human rights issues!! These are very vulnerable people and I think security is an important part of the business. I guess the 'care home' has touched sensitive parts (I hope that's not coming across as 'brash' on text type), but nevertheless, it is a business and a lucrative one at that (I know how much I have to pay for my mum to be there) - although that's not really the point. I'm just trying to find out who has what responsibilities. The two cars that I am aware were parked near to me, both have been contacted (without accusation - indeed one was an employee) and both have said that they have no damage and they didn't witness any damage to anyone elses car. I appreciate your replies.

I'm not saying it was the care homes fault, but the very nature of the business means there should be accurate records of who enters and leaves the premises, and therefore tracing the offender shouldn't be too difficult. However, there are no records at all, in which case I do feel that the home are not doing what they should be to protect both their residents and visitors to their property. And of course I could argue that is it right that I'm lumbered with a £500-600 bill when I wasn't even in the vehicle, and in no way contributed to the damage.

I'm not sure if there is anything that can help me or not, so thought I would pose the question here. 5 days ago, while visiting my mum in a care home, someone decided it was perfectly ok to hit my car with theirs and leave without identifying themselves to me. This is a private car park, and there are no 'waiver' signs displayed. There were two cars parked by me when I originally parked, both had left when I left. Of course, I have no knowledge of anyone that had parked and left while I was there (only about 2 hours). (no cctv) Is there any liability of the company that owns the care home for the damage? Having thought about the various vehicles in and out (visitors, staff, deliveries, etc) it could be anyone I guess. Accidents happen, but I'm so angry that whoever did it, can't be honest enough to identify themselves:mad2:

Thanks DD, I'm trying hard to do just that.

Thanks to you both. It always helps to get another perspective on things, and I certainly hadn't thought of looking like a smart alec, lol. Although from what I've seen on these threads, it's unlikely that carp1 would take court action, but there again, one never knows what they will do next! TBH, I wish I'd never started with this 'enforceable' argument with Carp1!

Try this one - it's letter K http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/content.php?590-Creditors-and-DCAs-Letter-Templates-Budget-Planner

Hi Laura Not sure if it will help, but whilst browsing through the library of template letters I came across one that basically asked creditors to consider writing off the debt. I'll see if I can find it, and post a link. It's worth a try...... x

Thanks DD. The CC is in my husband's name, and he will not in any circumstances 'sign on', and although I don't agree, I do understand. We've both worked throughout our lives; the business has now lost us almost everything we had built up, but we still have every intention of finding employment, whatever that turns out to be, and fending for ourselves. I shall send the letter, as you have very kindly amended for me, and hope that we are 'bought' enough time. Would it be wise/prudent to include a sentence along the lines of 'creditors that have provided correctly executed fully enforceable agreement will be given priority in any offers ultimately made'?

Well, I've put this off for as long as I can, but cannot put it off any longer. I'm not particularly good at writing letters from scratch, and there isn't a template in the library that suits. But I have come up with this, short and to the point. Any comments would be welcome. Quote... Thank you for your letters of ......, It is noted that Capital One are refusing, yet again, to answer a simple question. However, as a result of the recession, I am writing to inform you that from February 2011, my business will cease to trade. The business (a leasehold public house) has no assets to sell. Obviously, until a job is found, I shall be unemployed and have no income, I do not intend to claim benefits. I do not own my home. All creditors are being requested to cease any action for the time being. However, those creditors that have provided a fully enforceable credit agreement will be offered a payment plan, once there is an improvement in my financial circumstances. ...end quote

hope you found the help you needed Pinny

Thank you DD. I shall prepare something when the festive season is well and truly over and done with, and shall post my letter on here. With many wishes to you all for Christmas and 2011! xx

Thanks DD. I can look into preparing something in the new year. It feels weird though, after nearly 18 months of fighting them for a correctly executed agreement, and not acknowledging any debt to them, to now admitting the debt and making an offer of payment, albeit a neglible amount. Having said that, once we leave the business (in a few months time) there will be no income whatsoever until jobs are found, and heaven knows how long that will take.

Hi DD. Seasons greetings and all that. We no longer own our own house, that was sold to finance our business, which has lost us almost everything. Have some debts, but are continuing to pay them at the moment (primarily because of only wanting to deal with one thing at a time - a loan with Northern Rock, doesn't have a cancellation clause on the agreement, despite being dealt with by post). Bankruptcy, although is always a possibility, is something we want to avoid at all costs. There will be a change of address in a couple of months, and we have no intention of providing Carp1 with the new address, but I was looking for 'stalling time' I guess.

Can anyone tell me if there are any disadvantages/advantages of telling Cap1 that I may be filing for bankruptcy? Don't want to put that in a letter if it could lead to further complications. Merry Christmas to one and all.

Well, surprise surprise, response received from Carp1, and they've not answered my question - as usual. I guess in not answering, they've given me an answer - they haven't got one. I'm fed up with this, one more response from me, which will be along the lines of : "thank you, blah blah, I note you have yet again failed to answer a reasonable question, and as such I see no point in further correspondence. I am about to file for bankruptcy, accordingly, any correspondence you do receive will be in connection with the same. " I simply can't be bothered with them anymore. I've tried to get them to talk sensibly to me, but they're not interested. Sobeit!

Thanks DD. Amended ready to send. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Quick question. While making the small amendments to my letter, I am also wondering whether (my second paragraph in my letter above) it is correct to call what they have sent "..... on the reverse of what you claim is a true copy of the agreement". Given that I am disputing whether they have a correct agreement or not, would it be more sensible to simply refer to the document as "........ on the reverse of the application form you have so far provided." I'm sure this is just a small point, but it crossed my mind that perhaps I should continue to refer to the document as an application form.

Thanks DD. I realised I was going to put something in about reconstituted agreements still having to have all of the prescribed terms, but decided I didn't need to, then forgot to remove that bit. Second paragraph now amended to read "As I do not recall having signed any agreement with yourselves, I respectfully request that you confirm......"