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indebtstudent

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Everything posted by indebtstudent

  1. This guy seems pretty confused, and this is primarily what I was looking at. His comments on the letters are also a somewhat amusing aside( at least I thought so):- MOD EDIT: Link Removed It says on my tv licence you do not have to let them in. This being the case, and the detector vans seemingly gone, how can they in fact prosecute anyone? Or is it all done on adimissions? Is it an absolute liability offence? Is there any need to establish intent? Personally I think it would be only fair if the BBC got used to cuts like everyone else but doubt it will happen.
  2. Having looking into this online somewhat I have come to the conclusion that the detector vans do not exist, at least not in the form that the BBC would have you believe they do. There are blokes in vans I believe but no fancy detection equipment. If there was there would be no need for a bloke to pop round, burst in (which they have no right to do but they blag that) and start writing a statement they get people to sign. Even if the alledged vans DO exist as they refuse to explain how they work I doubt the evidence would be accepted in court. They claim to have an implied right of access which means they can knock on your door - just as I can knock on any door in the street and they can choose to open it, or not; or slam it in my face or not. I am currently experimenting to see how much TV I watch and will cancel if it reaches zero. IPlayer does not count, it is only for veiwing TV as it is broadcast. Oh BTW I believe it even says on the back of the tv licence they can send staff but you do not have to let them in.
  3. The one I'm mainly concerned about is eighty quid or so to the power company that was here when I moved in. Not my current supplier so I'm guessing there is not much they can do either. My only reservation was I understand the OR can and often does tell the landlord you are bankrupt. If the landlord found out about the debt I could be in breach of the tenancy agreement which says the power bills must be paid.
  4. Having taken the decision to go bankrupt as soon as I've managed to get enough for the fee I have a basic question. Is there any point in telling creditors (or rather the DCA's most have flogged the debts onto)? They keep sending letters demanding I get in touch and I know they can't really do anything. In fairness the letters aren't too harsh once you know that. They can get a CCJ, they can all get a CCJ but that doesn't magically give me any more money to pay them each month. I presume such debts would just be treated like any other in bankruptcy? I have no intention of ringing them, as I know what they are like from helping others, I'd probably begrudge even a stamp for the envelope but it seems only polite to let them know, at least once, that they are wasting thier time. Any thoughts and wisdom welcome. First time on this new layout, hope I've posted this in the most appropriate place... Having taken the decision to go bankrupt as soon as I've managed to get enough for the fee I have a basic question. Is there any point in telling creditors (or rather the DCA's most have flogged the debts onto)? They keep sending letters demanding I get in touch and I know they can't really do anything. In fairness the letters aren't too harsh once you know that. They can get a CCJ, they can all get a CCJ but that doesn't magically give me any more money to pay them each month. I presume such debts would just be treated like any other in bankruptcy? I have no intention of ringing them, as I know what they are like from helping others, I'd probably begrudge even a stamp for the envelope but it seems only polite to let them know, at least once, that they are wasting thier time. Any thoughts and wisdom welcome. First time on this new layout, hope I've posted this in the most appropriate place...
  5. Erm I'm pretty sure there was something said in evidence to the Treasury select committe where a senior banking figure admitted there was 'agreement' regarding the base level of such charges. That sounds very much like price fixing or a cartel to me. I wish I'd kept the link, I think it was on here, and it was someone from HBOS... Mcfall??? I forget his name. The one who said even his parents think he is paid too much.
  6. I'm afraid I have no meaningful issue as its not my area. However I just wanted to share my inability to believe that a company, any company, would seek to use an admin fee to make a profit. Banks, airlines, Sky Virgin et all having penalties for not paying by DD. Surely any reasonable person can see we need a law to say an admin fee should be just that? Hope you get something sorted, and I can imagine thier faces when anyone says so this fee what EXACTLY does it cover?
  7. "Remember at the last hurdle the banks amended their argument. If it had remained that their charges were "reasonable administrative costs" would they then have been able to argue that they were a "a core part of their business" - I don't think so, as one appears to contradict the other. If admin costs are so large I would suggest that they are doing something wrong. It was only when they declared that these charges were a "cross subsidy" could they claim the "core part" argument. so both of the above quotes may be wrong in IMHO as it was the banks moving the goal posts again and as I implied here this could be a real mistake for them." Amended thier argument? Is that REALLY what happened? Cos to me it looked very much like theier lawyers were arguing the exact opposite of what they had been saying for YEARS. They CHANGED the terms and conditions, therefore WHY do those charges stand? And why hasn't there been a case about that? The simplest way I can express how ridiculous the current situation is is found below. The Office of FAIR Trading CANNOT rule on what is essentially an issue of fairness. I know that sounds absurd, but that's where we're at. Something has to change, and if nothing does the Government has to step in. Otherwise what they're saying is ok kids its ok to lie, and cheat (you can see this rewarded in sports to), so long as you get away with it the rewards a great.
  8. "I could prove £60 was unreasonable and with my eyes shut." Share the wealth then it'd pnly be sporting...
  9. "I shall be interested to hear the outcome of this letter as the fos have said that they are within their right to change the terms and conditions providing they give the required notice which is what they did." Everybody agrees with this but that's not the issue. The issue is whether they kind bind people to ANY new terms and conditions where people don't have the money lying around to pay the balance off. It all seems to hinge on thier claim that they CANNOT (read will not) close an account where there is a debit balance. There is a very clear question, therefore, that they need to answer. What do they do with accounts that are overdawrn for a very long time???? They close them and send them to a DCA.
  10. I believe under hardship rules they are supposed to consider cancelling DD's where the person is asking for help and charges are being incurred repeatedly. I would say there's definately no harm going to the ombudsmen, it sounds like its been over eight weeks, ur getting nowhere, and their actions do seem difficult to justify.
  11. I have come across this before, when I split up with my GF there was a DD on the bank account which was for a loan made by HSBC. They did not cancel it despite multiple requests, they later told me that they can't, its in the loan contract apparently. However they hadn't notified me of this as they had changed the address on the account to her addres (despite instructions signed by both to remove her name from the joint account), I got it all sorted largely because of suspected DPA breaches by sending my statemens etc to her and changed the address without my permission or even notifying me. Frankly I've no idea how this would stand in relation to hardship. I can't see how leaving an instruction in place they know will fail could be regarded as positive and sympathetic. Have they accepted that you are in hardship? I don't believe there is any legal basis to stop them doing this, though I agree it is totally wrong. Much like the permission to share info with CRA's it is in the original contract. I would've thought being unemployed you would have a good case for hardship as I imagine there are other priority debts you are struggling to pay. Put this to the bank and mention the ombudsmen if they won't play ball. If that DD is causing a snowball and charges then I think they'd have difficulty arguing that was reasonable.
  12. This is the bit that caught my attention "Your claim boils down to an argument that the _relationship_betweetLyou and Nationwide is unfai.t..by reason.of the way in which you have operated your account." and "(5) It is the operation of the account that gives rise to the application of charges, not the charges, themselves." It seems to me you have not 'operated the account' for sometime and it is thier charges and interest on said charges alone which constitute the 'debt'. There must be a way round this. Personally I'd try the FOS if you think you do have a case for hardship, I mean you've been on with this since 08 so what harm can a little more time do. I do think regardless of the outcome of the test case there should have been some sort of cap put on the charges. Oh and finally Nationwide' claim about being some of the lowest charges WAS true, but now they are middling to poor. Natwest's charges are much lower.
  13. I'm sure there is one at this time, however I can see no harm in you pursuing this avenue (if people can make a suggestion where to go) at the same time as going down the hardship line. What was the situation? What makes you think you were in hardship? I ask this because you need to prove you were in genuine difficulty I've been back through the thread quickly and didn't see this info. Apologies if I've missed it.
  14. I've noticed that too, and it never says in the leaflet so your new monthly charge is. It just mentions like you say 50 on line rental and a quid elsewhere so people don't notice. Quite clever really. Here's another question when I moved they sent me a thing to sign for a 12 month hire agreement, but its the same equipment I always had. I never signed it, does this mean I'm tied in for 12 months? I could understand it if I was a new customer, but all the connections were there all the guy had to do was plug them in a make sure they were working. It took about 20 mins, and five minutes of that was him having a cup of tea!
  15. I'm not sure nottslads post is correct, with the FOS it depends on the situation. EG my bro has a stayed case about bank charges, it does not prevent him going to the FOS on hardship grounds, but the FOS wouldn't rule on the same issue because its in court (well kinda). However there is nothing to stop you putting on the FOS claim form that you intend to take action in court at a later date. I've not had any dealins with the Energy Ombudsmen myself, the best evidence I've had is kinda anecdotal, the odd note on an account saying that the EO is kicking NPower's arse yet again. Usually its writing off balances for late or non-existant bills. However personally I would draw some comfort from the fees aspect, although you did not feel you got proper redress if customers in a similar situation go to the EO they are going to have to spend a lot of money. Finally you say your account is clear, good for you. You are now free to change supplier. Personally I would out of principle anyway because you've been treated so badly. Now you can either do a comparison to work out who is cheapest on PP or contact other companies asking to take it out. You may even be able to get NPower to do the work before you bugger off...
  16. I was surpsied to see this thread spring back to life and thought I'd join in to see if its possible to get a better deal than what I have now. You'll see from an earlier post (cira 2008) I was getting the lot for £30 and this included XL TV with Setanta as it was at the time. I've since moved and the costs have increased slowly, 50p here and a £ there. So I'm now paying £39.50 per month, again largest TV and as part of that I get ESPN for free. I have looked for cheaper deals a couple of times but, bizarrly, the saving would be neglibile if I got rid of the home phone which I seldom use. I am open to freeview but I don't seem to be able to find a setup where I get ESPN. The going rate for that seems to be £10/month, and I really like watching the UFC on there since its my favourite sport. Anyone know of such a deal? Honestly all I need is broadband, doesn't even matter much about speed since I mostle come on sites like this
  17. I need to know because I'm currently in a DMP and every bank barring them has agreed to freeze charges and interest and accept my proposals for prepayment. So far they don't respond to correspondance and just sent automatic letters & statements detailing the interest and charges they are piling on. I have mentioned this to Payplan and they say its not uncommon for creditos to have large backlogs of paperwork relating to this sort of thing. That's fairr enough but I am concerned that the payments which are going to them are being wasted. If they don't stop the charges then the most rational thing to do is stop paying them completely and have it passed to a DCA who will accept any offer of payment over no offer of payment. Does anyone have any experience of what Nationwide are like in this kind of plan?
  18. If Next did not notifiy you, and I suspect there's no way they can prove that they did, then you should be covered by the direct debit guarantee. If you get nowhere with the goodwill argument then try the DD guarantee route. I learned recently there is a lot more to the DD guarantee than the little bit companies read out to customers.
  19. Re the overdraft reduction they are supposed to give you notice of this 30 days I believe. If you weren't notified of this and that is the reason for the charge it should be waived, at least that was the procedure when I was there. I certainly wouln't accept thier excuse of well our systems are a bit crap, as an excuse for the charge, which is how I read what they are saying. It is vitally important when you did the transfer. If you did it Sunday, and the DD was due out Monday I think most people would agree the charge is unreasonable. However if you did the transfer on the Monday then the DD would be returned as such payments are processed just after 12 (midnight). Complain and go to FOS if needed it'll cost them money and I believe you have a good case as thier actions seem unreasonable to me.
  20. Perhaps bearing in mind all the paper they are wasting we should be charging them £5/month environmental preservation levy.
  21. They are trying to say the charges are caused by your actions, the original charge for the unpaid or paid item IS but the resultant snowball effect is due in part to thier charging structure and the fact the charges are applied to the account. BTW out of interest are nationwide now using the service charges argument? If so I'd ask why they used to say in the past the charges were to cover thier costs.
  22. So as I understand it from re-reading you have recieved a final bill for gas from NPower and are now with EDF? And both companies continue to believe that they supply the electricity? Clearly they both can't so you need to get the number for the independant company who keeps these records. Unfortunately thier name escapes me so you'd have to ask one of the two companies for it. Unfortunately it IS possible to build up a balance on a prepayment meter, I don't deal with them myself and I can understand how it is confusing. It could be going into emergency credit, or a build up of standing charge in a period when there are no top ups. Or if its one of the older type of meter it could be that there was a price change and the meter hasn't been updated. The payments must've been going somewhere, if EDF don't have them Npower must? Unless worst case scenario the key actually belongs to another supplier. Need to find out for certain who supplies - are there two similar addresses? So I'd speak to the company whos name eludes me, the suppliers can each check ECOS which is basically a database saying who supplies/supplied and when, I'd get the both to raise an enquiry to state you are not sure who supplies. Maybe keep some money aside until its resolved. Final option, ring round the other big six suppliers and ask if they supply or have ever supplied. Not a good option, believe the others will fix it. Given the timescale you could already send this to the energy ombudsmen service.
  23. "Another way of looking at it is that RBS is now somethin like 80% government owned so they may have been pushed in this direction from behind the scenes." I don't buy this though, with Northern Rock, which the government fully owns they have pointed out time and time again that it is run at arms length. Same with RBS, I believe the initial comment, similar to those that were exressed at the time, that it was a good poker hand. If they lost well they look more reasonable than others, if they don't well its good PR I suppose. Whilst I welcome the move and will admit they seem to be the best bank if you know you are going to have unpaid items. Well apart from Halifax but thier new charging structure seems designed to price people out o having OD's altogether. But it frankly irritates me that they try to maintain that the change is in a no way an admission that the charges were too high before (when the justification for such amoutns WERE cost). I do not believe they are now losing £33 per time, in fact I believe the cost would be minimal for automated transactions since there is really work involved. I DO feel they should, where they have done people real damamge, offer at least the difference, because however they try to spin it on some level this IS an admission. Other charges have also reduced but are higher than £5. Its remarkable is such a fiercly competitive market (this is what the banks call it) there hasn't been more innovation in this regard. There again you could point out that the new metro bank is the first NEW entrant to the market for 150 years and say this stuff about competition is therefore pish. I hope the next government shows some backbone on this issue.
  24. I don't know, it would seem to be a significant change, but that just gives you the right to cancel the contract. I think there is an element of deception in saying we are improving your account whilst taking a valuable facility away. I'd complain anyway for what its worth, maybe if thousand of people do so it might be discussed over coffe by thier millionaire CEO. I think there has been a conscious decision by Nationwide and Halifax to get rid of certain customers. I have no evidence for this, just a hunch. I don't believe a company could make such a change and not expect a backlash.
  25. Wouold be very interested to see the FOS take on this, I don't know what the law says but there seems to be little rhyme or reason to when and where they refer to the law. They say it is one of things they consider, but you would've thought it is quite an important thing??? And I would hope there is no legal principly which states the bank can bind the customer to whatever they like and there's not a damn thing they can do about it. Mind you that's pretty close to what the Supreme Court said so who knows...
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