Bazooka Boo, I can understand the points you have made when having to deal with a DCA when an account has been sold to them by the original creditor. It is clear from the thousands of posts on this site exactly how immoral and deceitful they can be and I am certain if this had applied to me I would be fighting my hardest. But fortunately, in my case, this doesn't apply. Payments are being made directly to the bank - I know this as the sort code and account number payments are made into are those for the current account I held with OC. Annual statements show 12 monthly payments received and the outstanding balance falls in line with the payments made. So payments are going to the bank and not the DCA. Presume "management of account" is to allow DCA to write each year asking for update income and expenditure figures so they can squeeze more money from you; or write and ask you to ring them as a matter of urgency - I assume so they can obtain an up to date telephone number. Based on the posts on this site I've never phoned a DCA or contacted them by any other means other than in writing and always say anything they need to make me aware of they should do so in writing.

Thanks DX, will write directly to NW.

Thanks DX, but throwing the morality card away is not the course of action I want to take or feel will achieve anything. Whilst the current account was opened for over 25 years the overdraft facility was little used for most of that period apart from the last two/three years. Only charges have been interest when facility was used, the penalty fees charged when I got into difficulties NW agreed to refund when I sat down and discussed repayment plan and based on - until then - my good record with them. Credit card taken out was 0% on balance transfers and purchases. Managed to make the minimum payments so avoided interest. Again bank refunded late payment penalty fees charged as a gesture of goodwill when I negotiated repayment plan. Realised the sh*t was likely to hit the fan so started discussing with them so avoiding the usual calls/letters/threats of enforcement action/court action that seems to be the norm from the various threads/posts on this sight. They also agreed not to charge any interest as long as I kept to payment plan and I agreed with the CC debt being merged with OD and just being one account. No charges or penalty fees added since then. SAR previously done and all fees, other than the interest charged, were refunded. Something I realise I am quite lucky to have achieved. My purpose for posting isn't to find a way of disputing the debt. I don't. I'm not even able to claim I was hit by unlawful charges - although the interest rates charged on agreed overdraft did sting! - I never went over my agreed limit. Did point out to them how willing they were to increase my overdraft limit, without my asking, at the time. How much difference me pointing this out made I'm not certain but they did say some alarms bells should have rung with them at that time. Just hoped someone may have had experience of achieving a settlement when a DCA/original creditor has indicated they would accept reduced payment for full settlement.

Thanks Bazooka Boo As I've already said I don't dispute the debt. Arrangement for repayment was made direct with the bank, who transferred the account to DCA for "management of account". Been paying the same amount each month since, despite DCA requesting updated income and expenditure statements from me. Annual statements from the bank show all payments have been received by them and the outstanding balance with the bank is same as that with DCA so payments appear to be paying off the debt. Assuming DCA's role is to get you to increase your monthly payments which I have resisted. Just really need some advice on how to get this paid off in full. From your response would appear approaching the original creditor is best option and by-pass the DCA.

I don't dispute the debt. Just looking for advice on how best to deal with DCA.

I never ring the DCA and always put everything in writing. Debt is overdraft and credit card from NatWest C/A opened when I was studying over 25 years ago. CC opened in 2010 online. Default was in late 2012. Debt still owned by NatWest - who accepted repayment plan I offered in 2013 - estimate should be paid off by 2025. NW then transferred to DCA in 2015 for "management of account". DCA always refer to NW as "our client." Get statements once a year from NW. Outstanding balance is now at just less than 20% of original debt - no interest or charges being added.

Need some advice on dealing with a DCA, acting on behalf of their client, regarding a debt that I have been paying off for a few years now and which I want to pay off the outstanding balance. Before contacting the DCA I need some advice on the best approach. DCA wrote to me sometime back saying their client had indicated they would be interested in settling the matter and would allow me to pay off the remaining debt at a discount. At the time I was unable to take them up on their generous offer, however, six months on I wrote to the DCA and made an offer of settlement at 50% of the outstanding balance. This, as I had expected, was “rejected by our client. But please call us immediately so we can discuss this matter further.” I instead wrote again asking what would be an acceptable figure their client would accept. The DCA's reply: “please ring us urgently so we can discuss this matter further. Enclosed are our income and expenditure sheets - please complete these before calling so you can provide us with this information. We also require you to confirm the source of the funds you intend to use to pay off this debt”. At that point, I decided not to proceed further and wrote to the DCA informing them I would continue making the monthly payments. Now, a year later, I have decided to try again. Before contacting the DCA I hope someone on this site may be able to advise on the best approach. Is it normal/required that you confirm the source of the funds? Is it the original creditor that whats to know this, or is just the DCA? How is the source of the funds relevant - or are they seeing how much more they can squeeze out of me? Any advice would be appreciated. JWTP