OK Cabot workers who visit - what are the perks like? Gym membership? Dental plan? Free coffee and sandwiches? Fruit bowl beside the water cooler? Just PM me. Or email. [email protected]. I promise not to pick your brains about the seedier side of your work. I just wonder if it's worth applying, is all. Go on. You know you want to. Shelley, could I get the desk next to you????

Yup, that's the way to go Cups. Another Fan for you, Ken.

Sounds like a cue for a blog

ALWAYS nice Dave. No mod anger whatsoever. Let's all share the Luuurrvve. OOPS!!! Well, you get the point anyway.

Don't DARE hint to them you are thinking about this. BR really isn't the easy option some would have you believe. I know things must seem very desperate to you at the moment, especially as you have tried your utmost to take the ethical route and repay your debts. Obviously I know nothing of your personal circumstances, but it seems clear to me your repayments were rather unrealistic. You've done your best, and you might like to write to your creditors and explain that whilst you have been trying to do the right thing, you just can't manage to keep paying what you originally agreed to, and ask if they would consider a reduced amount. They can only say no. But if they do, they should be aware that you will then be backed into a corner with no other option than to fight with all you have got. And that's the Consumer Credit Act, et al. Yes, morally you are obliged to repay your debts. But by the same token, morally they are obliged to be realistic. Failure to do so could mean they have to face the reality that they may not be legally able to enforce those debts. Please keep in touch. You sound really desperate, and I'm sure I'm not the only one here who is worried about you.

YOU TOO???? Tell her I want mine back by Christmas. ONLY JOKING!!!

I know whose eyes I'D like to bring a tear to.

CAGbotted. Spoilsports.

The reality is this. If everyone managed their money as this shower try to tell us we should be doing, even when circumstances mean it's impossible to do, then none of them would be in a job. Let's face it. None of them actually WANT people to manage their money better. As one of the most notorious of them had the bare faced cheek to write in a public letter to Santa... "Let's ask for lots of debt. We know he can give us that." So don't try and kid on you wish everyone would be better money managers. How would you become millionaires if that was the case? Debt purchase... it really is a grubby little industry. (Link to his whole letter HERE.)

No, you don't. You tell them to book themselves in for a reality check. 'cos it's the only cheque they are likely to get.

Your SAR should have turned up far more than just a few pages of notes. What about statements? Have HSBC stated in the covering letter that they have supplied everything that they hold about you? How long ago was it that you SAR'd them? I would tend to write to CDR telling them that you are querying the debt with HSBC, and as the debt is in dispute, HSBC should not have involved them. Therefore you insist on communicating ONLY with HSBC at this stage.

Perhaps we should apply for consultancy positions? I'm sure our advice would turn their profits around, AND increase their reputation. I'm only half joking too. Is there a personnel agency in the house?

The first simple truth... we are not "rogue debtors" who make a career from borrowing money with no intention of paying it back. Not being blessed with the gift of eloquence, I'll let America's consumer champion Bud Hibbs say what we all know, but the debt collection industry would rather not be heard. Written for America by an American, it nevertheless will doubtless strike a chord with you all... And morals are the crux of the matter. The debt collection industry whines constantly that debtors should pay their debts. And so they should. But nobody should be bullied into paying what they genuinely cannot afford. Let's look at it this way; lender A makes a commercial decision to drop you as a customer. Why should you as an individual not try to negotiate the best deal that you can? As a commercial decision. And if debt purchasing company B don't want to accept what is offered, why should you lose sleep over it? They in turn are making a commercial decision. It might not make business sense to you or I, but it obviously does to them. And so you should likewise not feel guilty by making another commercial decision to say, take it or leave it: if it's all or nothing, then let it be nothing. Life is all about compromises. But if the other side won't budge, they should hardly be surprised when you use the only other option left open to you. The Law. THEY use the law when it suits them as a business decision. DON'T let them make you feel guilty just because you have the same avenue open to you, and you are using it.

Do you really expect an answer to that?

HAHA. No, but the thought had crossed my mind that perhaps CABOT were trying to plant false rumours to see what reaction they got. If so, they have been very clever. Some of those who have PM'd me have been here and posting for a good long while. Although the Russians liked to use sleepers, didn't they? Hmmm. Best to be careful, and not take anything as gospel. But there does seem to be a pattern though. I wonder if their envelope stuffing machine has become a CFC member?????

Look. Troll-cam.

Well, it certainly doesn't look as if the lesson has been learned. A number of us have had PM's about this very thing. So hardly an isolated case!!!!! In light of this, I have posted a comment in my blog... http://www.coveritup.co.uk/?p=127

Just thought I'd clarify one point mentioned in that site (I know, it's an old post, but I've only just read it ). Making a repayment after a debt is statute barred in the US is different from over here. In the UK, the clock CANNOT be restarted afterwards. So if you have a debt that was statute barred, and a DCA has convinced you to make a repayment after the 6 year time bar, STOP PAYING RIGHT NOW. They CANNOT enforce a debt afterwards, and if they have told you that your 6 years has restarted, THEY HAVE LIED TO YOU!!!! But that's no big surprise, I suppose.

Steady on. They perform a significant role in ensuring the UK economy doesn't collapse. For instance, did you realise how much money would be lost to the treasury if it wasn't for the likes of Cabot? At least in that case, you can rest assured that the Japanese shareholders will be very glad of your hard earned readies. Fantastic.

Have I ever asked you where in Aberdeenshire you are, MRSC? PM obviously if I haven't. Nosey git, ain't I?

HOHO. Two for the price of one.

First thing to be aware of is, they won't make you bankrupt. They may tell you all sorts of fairy stories, but without going to court, they are talking out of their collective bottom. OK, now you say you have the money to pay. But I have to ask, if Cabot have brought Ruthbridge in to recover a debt, it sounds as if all may not be as it should. Ruthbridge are usually tasked with recovering difficult debts, such as those being statute barred, or are about to be, or may be unenforcable for one reason or another. In light of that, I would be asking if Cabot have any right to collect on this debt. And if they do, is the amount they are trying to collect an accurate figure. CCA Ruthbridge, making sure you write I DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEBT in your letter. Don't sign it. Just print your name at the bottom. And SAR Barclaycard. Find out if the figure that is quoted is correct. For instance, Barclaycard may have been charging you unlawful penalties? Do keep us posted.

Banner as seen in the Credit Today website. I particularly like the "Fed up with debtors playing the system?" bit. What about DCA's "playing the system". Oh, no. That's right. Some of them play OUTSIDE the system. A bit like playground bullies.

And to think I got CAGbotted, just for saying feckers!!!

Method in my madness. If folks click on the links, presumably their server logs will record the visit as being referred from.... CAG!!!!!!! Hmmm. But only if the link had been clicked in the original email. Oh, well. Never mind.