Well, even dear old Aunt Lizzie supposedly said "..there are dark forces at work in this country, about which we know so little." The whole thing stinks. Never mind. In a few months time we get the chance to vote for ........ more of the same....... whichever of them gets in. Join in everybody - "It's the same, the whole world over, it's the poor wot get's the blame....."

But surely there's still time for the Gov to step in and save the day just in the nick of time, i.e. before the election ??? Funny how not so long ago it was reported millions were waiting for the outcome of this hearing...now it's 'tens of thousands.....'

It's not over yet though.... BBC News - Banks win Supreme Court case on overdraft charges

Could get quite busy here, methinks!!!!!

Does this mean those who have already had a payout are now going to be hounded by DCA's ????

It did occur to me we might be at cross-purposes, but it took a while for the penny to drop in my case In reply to Hungrybear, they do supposedly have a small group of people in some DCA's whose job is to trace alleged debtors using CRA's and a process called G.A.I.N. - but they do very often get it wrong as many of us here will know. I'm not sure exactly how it works as I left over 5 years ago, and as I said I was involved more with tracing people for HMG using National Insurance numbers and the Civil Service system which has records and whereabouts of virtually everyone in the UK, and some abroad too. The fact that DWP and CSA have started giving some of their debts to private companies to recover is a bit dangerous in terms of privacy, because just how much access do these DCA's have to our private data, and what's in place to stop any 'leakage'?? Scary stuff......

With all the recent take overs, mergers, etc etc the lines between which bank is which have become a bit blurred, but yes, it could certainly be the bank that's responsible for this as they are one of the CRA's main 'customers'.

As an ex skip-tracer myself, I can assure they do. I have never made any secret of the fact I am 'ex job' and the site team (or at least some of them) know it. I used to enjoy baiting the trolls here because I can usually run rings around them, as my posting history will show. It is very easy to put a flag on a file you are interested in, and if there is any activity on the file such as a search during a credit application, or the subject updating their own details, you will be informed. It's just standard procedure. Tracers will try the DVLA/DWP Pension service, neighbours, relatives .....and any trick in the book to secure a positive trace. Take a look at Marc Ganders letter in the Times article link. I spent several years tracing, but mostly for HMG. Naughty people who didn't pay their taxes or 'forgot' to repay budget/crisis loans when they signed off. It's far easier than what DCA tracers have to do, but I do have first hand experience, and I am very familiar with how that side of things works.

I think you might be surprised. DVLA sells your details to criminals | Mail Online By contacting a CRA, you are willingly and freely giving your personal information to DCA's amongst others http://www.experianintact.com/content/uk/documents/pressReleases/LabourParty.pdf Most DCA's are prepared to disregard the laws on privacy and data protection because the rewards are potentially huge, whilst the chances of being caught out are comparatively small. Even when they do get caught, they have a 101 explanations or excuses and it is never their fault. The penalties obviously not much of a deterent, and DCA's can actually drive people to suicide but still be allowed to continue. If you think the CRA's are going to let you check your own files in privacy you are sadly mistaken. Can we trust the credit agencies? - Times Online

"Wounds my heart with monotonous langour" "John has a long moustache" Yes, I accept we all have different opinions on how things should be done, but I do find it a bit bizarre that someone would be prepared to deal with a CRA knowing they are people behind the DCA's anyway. It just doesn't make any sense. Ignore the clowns.

I accept that. My path is to make profit from those who attempt to pretend 'Knowledge' or profit from ignorance or fear of the unknown. I suggest we take on a few cases here - I will steer them away from Cra's - you can lead them into them. What do you say?? -

I'm dying as I type these words....... But I still don't get your point.........

Ignore them. You are wasting your time sending letters to a machine that only responds to Cheques, Postal Orders or Cash. The chances of a home visit are small, not worth worrying about, and you have no obligation to be polite to them if they do turn up. In fact, this is your opportunity to get on your soap box and tell them to go forth and fornicate - and you should take it!! Relish the opportunity to say your piece, while so many others suffer in silence.

I think the usual channels will only result in a dead end or a deaf ear. Try your MP. If you are the kind to press a point you feel to be to the benefit of many, you may be pleasantly surprised at the response.

Why?? Why ring the dinner bell if you've done nothing wrong??

Bearing in mind that the CRA's actually own, or at the very least co-operate incestuously with DCA's, this action is probably counter productive and unecessary. Although the OP is receiving letters at their address, the problem is caused by a different name, and so theoretically there is no financial connection to show on the file. It's far better to just ignore the morons completely. If at some point in the future you are refused credit for reasons unexplained, then a CRA check would be a good idea because if the DCA has linked the OP to the alleged debtor, then you have enough cause to take action of your own resulting in a probable compo payout, and your complaint will have to be taken into account when credit license renewal time comes around.

I think this has already been done. This story is about 9 months old - but yes it very nice to see them having hard times..

Yes, good point, I hadn't noticed that!!!

I've heard too many stories of people making what they believe to be FFS payments - only for the 'balance' to reappear, sometimes years later, being chased by another DCA. You have to be VERY careful if you take the FFS road expecting the remainder to be written off. The DCA is far more likely to sell the remainder along with all your details (now 100% confirmed by yourself) as the value has effectively increased and it's extra cash for them. When they mark your credit file as having paid a lump sum, they are ringing the dinner bell for the other sharks. Everything has to be done in writing and through a third party to be legally binding National Debtline England & Wales | Debt Advice | Factsheet 24 Full And Final Settlement Offers and keep ALL paperwork for at least six years from the date of payment - or it may become what's known as a Zombie debt.....it will just keep coming back.

....except some disability benefits which are exempt.

Not sure if you noticed, but I should point out the last post previous to yours is November 2007, so I suspect this thread is deceased. :-|

It depends when or if any original was signed, and what Act applies. CCA'74 is contract based, whereas anything under CCA'06 depends on whether your creditor can prove you owe the amount claimed. It is wrong now to assume that no CA means no debt, depending on the age of the account that is being chased.

Because they are the same thing, in all but name. I think it's time to drop the idea that they all operate independantly and nobody 'talks' to anyone else. Remember signing a document that all your details would be safe and private and not shared with anyone else ??? I think you can safely forget that. It's now a case of linking individuals to any debt that may provoke a response........

Perhaps he's getting short of cash and looking for other ways to boost his income ??? I Imagine buyers, such as Lowell, will be feeling the pinch by now if wobbly creditors have been holding onto their accounts. In fact didn't Uncle Ken say somewhere recently that times were very hard for the 'screw the public' industry ?? I hate to say this, but Mr Bartle reminds me a bit of Ade Edmondson, although the latter is far more worthy to hold peoples respect and I think you'd have a better chance of getting your moneys worth with Ade.

HHmmmm...the plot thickens. Quite tempted to get in touch with someone to investigate, who lives only a stones throw away. Shame to be wasting stones when there are more effective ways to attract attention...... (I'm Joking!!!!!!)