The only other thing I can think of is that they have bought a very old debt that she may have run up years ago and forgot about.... but would be statute-barred now anyway.

Well, normally that would be a possibility, but she has always had good money, I am sure she has never ever had any debts, in fact she isn't even bothered that they rang, but I just don't trust them. Probably just trying to find out about our neighbours?

Strange... .... but if it's got nothing to do with you and it's not even your name anyway... just tell them they have the wrong person. Keep everything they send you though, just in case they become persistent little blighters.... and you need to threaten them with harrassment and the like.

 

It is odd indeed. Lets say for instance my wifes maiden name was `Jones', and mine was `Smith', when we got married we changed our names to `Mr & Mrs Jones-Smith'. The chap on the phone asked for `Mr & Mrs Jones' who don't live here, but it is my wifes maiden name.

If it was one of my old debts which was registered under a different name and address, surely he would have rang asking for me in my old name?

these muppets called my next door neighbour up and he put a note through my door asking me to call them. I did and they got it big time!!

 

I believe they buy old debts and try there luck. I would wait for them to write to you (if ever) then CCA them...

Yeah, that's good advice.

I just don't want all this hassle. We have a happy marriage together and she has always been brilliant with money, just hate the thought of us having to do all we can to prove our innocence when we haven't done anything wrong, always pay our bills.

I guess that if he does ring asking for Mr & Mrs X, then I shall tell him the truth that nobody of that name lives at this address.

Could it have anything to do with an ex-partner of your wife's ?

Nope, she has lived here alone for 15 years (I moved in 2 years ago).

They might want information regarding someone else in the street perhaps?

Hello everyone, need a bit of advice here.

Got home this evening to find a message on the answer phone from a chap called Ross Parker to call him on 01254 663900. He didn't say what it is about, but as myself and my wife are sick of cold calling etc, we decided to google the number and found out that it is J2 Solutions Ltd, a department of Mackenzie Hall.

The odd thing is that he asked for Mr & Mrs X, but we got married 3 months ago and both changed our names, the Mr & Mrs X is my wifes maiden name, not mine. She has never had any debts at all and earns good money, so I know it isn't for her, and all my previous debts have been sorted (IVA), plus the name he asked for isn't mine, so I know I'm not being chased, plus I now live at another address.

I decided not to ring him back as I am aware of their tactics, but if he rings tomorrow I know I will loose my temper as we have never had any debts together. Perhaps he is chasing someone else and is just trying it on by using the same name? Should we just ignore it as I don't see why we should have to prove our innocence.

This is my advice, don't get to concerned with using the ombudsman. Send off for your statements (if you don't already know all the charges you want to claim), then send the prelim, followed by the LBA and if necessary file a claim in court.

DON'T let halifax dictate to you what you can and can't do.

Read up everything you can on this site, ask as many questions as you like, but try to stick to the standard method which has been successfully used time and time again.

Hello!

That's the spirit, go get em!

Shout if you need any help, and keep us updated.

Hi there and welcome!

Sounds like you have done your homework and know what you are doing, go for it and stick to your timetable.

If you need any help, just shout!

Hi Flavio,

What a pain, not your fault that they mucked up, you would think that an organisation of their size could find someone to fill in whilst the other person is on leave.

It's up to you to decide if you feel you need a solicitor or not. Odds are Halifax will offer you a settlement rather than file a defence, but they won't admit liability. Wait and see if they do file a defence, then perhaps get some legal backing and throw in the costs with your claim?

If they do file a defence, then they have to tell us all how much it really does cost them to cover our charges.

Hi there!

This used to be a yearly occurance on my account with Halifax, it would then say on my statement `Account Renewed'. It could also be that they were doing maintenance on their systems, because if they do close your account, it will still remain in your portfolio but it will not say `Active', it will say `Closed', but you will still have access to it, just can't draw on it.

So, don't worry, I am sure everything is okay. If they do decide to close your account, I would expect/hope they would inform you in advance.

Thanks Egg for a brilliant response, it was very helpful and clarified many things.

I really want to clear up my IVA and move on, so if Eversheds could make it easier for me to achieve that goal, then it's worth letting that money go!

Many thanks!

Ring them up and complain asap, you should get the rest in the next few days. Also make sure you remind them of their obligation to sent them within the 40 day timescale from 10th January.

They are very restrictive, I personally would never recommend one to someone, but in some cases employers won't employ a bankrupt, discharged or not. Mind you some won't employ those that have been subject to an IVA.

 

At least you are nearly half way through yours - bet you wil lbe glad when it's over.

I wouldn't recommend one either, so many other options, but at the time when one is so worried...

Yes, I will be glad when it is all over. Plan to stick at it until the bitter end, but will never take credit again, just isn't worth it.

Sorry Suzylou for hijacking your thread

Hello everyone!

Been on here for a while, received tons of help and advice and athough I already have a thread on here, I have recently come up against a rather complex situation reference claiming back my charges incurred on my Halifax Credit Card, and although I am not at all worried about this situation, I don't appreciated being treated as an idiot by Halifax.

Over many years I ran into financial problems which got so bad that by 2005 I took the decision to enter into an IVA. Having read so much on this site, it came to me that I have been ripped off by loan companies, banks, credit cards & DCA's. I have now taken the first steps to reclaim all my charges, mis-sold PPI's etc and intend to use the money to chip away at my IVA.

The situation is this; on 21st December 2006 I send a SAR to Halifax Credit Card Services and received my 6 years worth of statements pretty quickly. On the 24th January 2007, I sent off my prelim letter requesting the return of £440 and I then recieve a letter from a company `Eversheds' saying:

Dear Sir/Madam

If you have asked for payment by cheque then you should get it that way, or else I would kick up a stink.

I am in the same boat as you, closed account, lots of money to claim, yet to file my N1.

Thanks for clearing up my post guys, always a learning process. I've had an IVA for 2 years now, very restrictive but I am sticking to it and look forward to when it is over, although I still feel I have been ripped off.

There most certainly is more, and if you are prepared to push it forward to the final stage and wait maybe a few days/weeks then you will get your full amount which you are due.

It's really up to you, but if it were me, I would stand my ground as I know I would regret it if I took half the money knowing I could have had more. Be prepared for the fact that if you reject their offer (accept the offer in part payment and indicate that you will be persuing the rest of the money - standard letter in templates section) they may well withdraw their offer and state that they will defend - but they will give in eventually.

Hope that helps

As far as I am aware, if you fail to keep up payments on an IVA which in turn fails, you can and will be chased for the outstanding amounts and may be forced to go bankrupt.

Backruptcy stays on record for life, and you will be unlikely to ever get credit or a mortgage again. Should you come into any equity or obtain assets worth any amount, your creditors can seize your property or assets etc in order to recover their losses.

If you enter into any agreement, IVA or DMA, it is extremely important that you stick to it, ignoring creditors will look very bad in court and do you no credit at all.

Hi there Survivor, thanks for asking!

Well, not much progress. Prelim letter sent 3 weeks ago today for current account and credit card, should have sent of LBA last week but I just haven't had time, so I will do so today and give them 14 days before court action.

I haven't heard a thing regarding the current account (3.5k), but they did write back regarding the credit card (£400) and offered me £200 as a gesture of goodwill, obviously I will accept as part payment and pursue the rest.

Good to hear that you have filed your N1, means you are geting towards the end of the process and with a bit of luck they will see sense and pay up in full any day for you!

Thanks, I think the baliff need a kick tomorrow morning.

Yes, sounds like it!

I have also heard before that some baliffs work for various banks and can be a bit bias against you, but that may well not be the case, I too think they need a kick.

Excellent, so long as you are happy to accept their offer, that's the main thing.

They may well ask him/you to sign an agreement that you will not incur any further charges, but if you are unsure about anything, ask here first before signing.

I think (and don't quote me on this) that is if you are claiming contractual interest.

Have you filled out the spreadsheet provided on this site? if so, only add the interest at court stage.

Have a look at this site as to be honest I don't know much about baliffs and wouldn't want to give you the wrong advice. If I were in your shoes though, I would certainly want to see a bit more action.

Warrant of execution

`The bailiff will usually send the defendant a letter saying that a warrant has been issued and that he or she must pay within seven days.

If the defendant pays, the court will send you the money. This could take up to 15 days if the defendant paid by cheque. (This is necessary to make sure that the cheque has cleared.)

If the defendant does not pay within seven days, the bailiff will call at the address you gave. The bailiff will go to the defendant's address within 15 working days of the warrant being issued. The bailiff will try to identify goods which they could sell at auction or collect a payment to prevent goods being sold.'

Has the baliff visited their premises yet?

Is the account a `counter signing' one, in other words do both of you have to sign for it?

If not, I don't see that it matters who signs the letter.