I am on EDFs Energy assist tariff due to being in fuel poverty. I have several serious health problems and my sole income is my Incapacity Benefit, currently awaiting a medical from ATOS to decide my fate. I am in several hundred pounds of arrears on my duel fuel as my monthly payments were increasing beyond my means, and EDF sent out a debt collector to my flat. This man knocked at my downstairs neighbours door flourishing his debt collectors clipboard, asked my neighbour questions about me and made it perfectly clear to her (without actually coming out and saying as much) that he was indeed a debt collector. I was very upset, and humiliated, and distressed to such a degree that while this man was in my flat I agreed to a weekly payment of almost £30 just to get rid of him. This is impossible for me to pay as I only have £20 a week for food and clothing after I pay my reduced rent, council tax, bus fares, water rates etc. I wrote to EDF and explained all of this, and also asked whether their debt collectors behaviour was ethical or indeed legal . I requested that they do not send that man back to my flat to upset me again. I received a reply from a customer service advisor who made no reference at all to my experience with the collector ( from Alexander James) but merely stated that unfortunately she could not stop follow up action from the agency and suggesting that I contact them myself. What on earth can I do? I am so afraid these people will turn up again and knock on my neighbours door . Regarding my debt, I have been made aware of EDF Energy Trust but have been told they are only likely to help if you have been paying regular amounts off your debt, which I have not yet been able to do as the weekly amount demanded was too much. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Thanks diddydicky and yubnub, the debt is about 330 pounds, owed to a catalogue company, mislaid the original agreement if indeed there was one, I have some doubts . I had a bad time, was ill, lost my home and job, struggled to keep up payments for a while, got the help of a debt management group as I really did not want to default, but they kept upping my repayments til I couldnt afford to live. Cant recall exactly when I last made a payment, the debt managers abandoned me when I fell behind with payments, but the brown stuff hit the fan early in 2003. Sorry if all this sounds like a sob story, its just to give a bit of background info. The debt has been chased by various firms over time, names that caggers will recognise such as Red, Robinson Way, 1st Credit , Westcot, Cohen and Alexander James. Would you advise me to ask for proof of a CCA?

Hi everone, I'm a newbie, just joined today, great site. I too am a victim of Bryan Carter, got my 'Happy Xmas, we're taking you to court' letter today with 3 days notice. My debt will be 6 years old in January.. .my question is, if I reply to this letter, even just to deny the debts existence, will the six years then begin again? I'm worried about getting a CCJ if I ignore the letter, which is the first one from BC. I am ill and have absolutely no money.