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  1. Has anyone dealt with debt collectors and had success in reducing the interest / charges removed to pay for the actual debt. If you have I could really do with some help as have some bad old debts that just keep resurfacing and now need to face up to them and arrange to settle to become debt free. Any help would be really appreciated.
  2. Hi We started renting a beautiful home in December. We pay £1,800 a month for the house which is a hell of a lot of money. We have had a letter saying building works begin on a patch of land next to our garden next week and the foundations mean they will have to take down our fence and work in our garden! We both work from home which will be impossible with the noise. We also have a dog who will go berserk at the builders in the garden and she wont be able to go outside. We are absolutely gutted that our dream home has become such a nightmare and we will not be able to use the garden for over 2 months! Well, we can, but not privately! Any advice on if we can refuse to pay rent? or at least get a reduction? The landlord knew about this and did not tell us before we moved in. My other concern is that our garden will now be completely overlooked by the new house. Any advice please?
  3. A few days ago I completed a few transaction over LocalBitcoins.com to a buyer named Muumbis (currently blocked) who seemed to be a trusted user, had good feedback and 2 months of multiple transactions. The buyer sent me the funds through a PayPal transfer, and then I proceeded to send/release the bitcoins to his account once the money hit my account. These transactions were very profitable to me, amounting to about 40% of profit over the then exchange price of bitcoin. Only after 6 PayPal transactions amounting to a total of around £11000, I noticed that the person’s details included in the PayPal account used to forward all these payments differed greatly from the personal information of this LocalBitcoins.com user. For comparison sake, the owner of the PayPal account is a Canadian, while this person seems to be based in Netherlands (Proxy, likely) and has a verified phone number from Kenya, as well as, beginning of a different gender. As of now PayPal as yet to contact me about any irregularities in these transactions and I made sure I transferred all my PayPal balance to my savings account. However I’m confident I got [problem]med and it’s just a matter of time until these payments are flagged as unauthorized transactions and the owner of the PayPal account files a chargeback against me leaving me empty of bitcoins and about 5000£ of negative PayPal balance, which I have no means to payback as I’m student and I already have some debt going. Summary, I sold some bitcoins at 40-50% in profit to a guy who used a hijacked PayPal account to pay me. It’s just a matter of time until the victim of the hijacked account files a PayPal unauthorised transaction/ chargeback against me. PayPal then reverses the transaction and the [problem]mer gets the bitcoins while I’m left to pay around 5000£ of debt due to the profit margin. I’m divested by this, as I’m a victim too just like the affect PayPal account owner, plus I have no means to payback if these transactions are found to be unauthorized. Perhaps, in the end, all I could do is payback the some of the money to the victim excluding the profit/debt margin that was employed in this [problem]. God, I can’t believe a fell for it, I’m aware of this sort of thing yet due to my own stupidity or being a student with no income I just went for it….Never felt so dumb. I know I’m making assumptions on what if…however, I just need to a little guidance on what to do next or who to turn to, basically a course of action to reduce all the possible damage. Thank you all
  4. About two months ago I closed a Halifax current account. I held the account for five years but never used it at all. My credit report has now reduced my credit rating from good to very poor due to closing the Halifax current account. I am completely confused and puzzled. Can anyone explain how this comes about please?
  5. Hi would be grateful for some advice on this please, if someone is asked to move workplace to somewhere further away are they expected to be financially penalized for this? I.E somebody i know has been told they have to move workplace because its within a certain distance from their current workplace this will mean they will be paying out as much as £40 a week to make this journey which to me is a wage cut, is this right?
  6. I have applied for boiler grant through one of the big 6 energy companies. The subcontractor called and told me I can have boiler and installation if I contribute few hundreds of pounds, reduced from around £2000. Then I have applied through [removed] again - as first company didn't want to tell me what boiler exactly will I be getting. Not even output power... [removed] told me that I'm not eligible for grant at all as my current boiler is too effective [above 86%, but leaking]. I met all other conditions. I don't know what to think now. Is first subcontractor taking me for a ride, trying to flog some old type of boiler or maybe it is proven to be bad quality and maintenance cost will be high? I'm not giving names as I don't want to imply anything. PS - Am I right to think that '[removed]' is government and impartial?
  7. Hello folks - grateful to anyone who can help with this. My wife has worked in the same organisation for the last four years. She has had four separate one-year contracts during this time. Her contracted hours have varied slightly from contract to contract, but for the last two (one-year) contracts has had 19 per week. She was told a few weeks ago that, due to the fact she's been there for four years, she is being put onto a permanent contract. The permanent contract however offers three fewer hours per week than she currently works, even though they will expect her to work the same number of hours this year and claim the three hours as "overtime" (though this "overtime" is not paid at a higher rate.) Is there some disadvantage to her with this arrangement? Her holiday entitlement will presumably be determined by her contracted hours, rather than the contract plus "overtime" worked regularly. Is this right? I guess the employer misrepresenting her normal hours worked, perhaps in order to maintain some flexibility if they decide they don't want her to work the extra three hours after all? Can they do this - putting her onto a permanent contract with three fewer hours than she has had over the less couple of years? What options does she have, if this arrangement does actually work against her unfairly? Many thanks to anyone who can offer advice.
  8. I have monitored this CAG forum for many years and since the introduction of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations almost exactly one year ago it is clear that the level of forum posts has dropped dramatically. I would also suggest that the seriousness of the forum posts has reduced even further with many just asking what to do after receiving the NOE or questioning other forum guidance. All in all a positive thing for the enforcement industry as whole wouldn't you agree?
  9. letter today from Lowell offering reduction on an old catalogue debt, they said it is equivalent to charges and interest previously applied. do I accept?
  10. Hi does anyone know what the regulations are in regards to making payments off a council tax reduction over payment while waiting for an appeal? Thanks
  11. I ordered 2 x 3 seater settes and a chair from Harvey December 29th and was told delivery would be in 12 weeks. The cost was £2250. In the middle of January the shop rang me to say that they had ordered the wrong colour and the wrong material. They gave me a choice of having the suite they had ordered, cancelling with a refund of the deposit I had paid or doing a new order, we chose to do another order and after having to ask for it, shortly after, were given a reduction of £180 from the final bill which is payable just prior to delivery. We were told that the new order would be with us within 12 weeks and when in early April I had not heard anything I contacted the store who told me that the suite wouldnt be ready until mid to late May and that they would be in touch with a delivery date in due course. I still do not have a delivery date although they are still saying that it should be available in mid May. Assuming I get the suite in Mid may, the wait for this suite will have been 20 - 21 weeks from start, 16 - 17 weeks from re-order. What are my rights, I want the suite and there is no point in going else where if the suite is likely to be delivered in May but I dont feel that £180 reduction is sufficient for the wait. What would be a realistic reduction to ask for and what is the best way to go about getting it?
  12. Over the last few weeks I have been ill and therefore unable to collect mail from the address that I have registered for post. Also, at some point in time, the place was closed for 2 weeks for refurbishment, during which time it was not possible to collect post, though I can't remember when. On checking my bank account this past Tuesday, I noticed a reduction in my benefit, from £214.70 to a meagre £69.90. I have only just recently (literally had to force myself!), collected the post and I find 2 letters from DWP saying that as I failed to attend work-related interview on such and such a date, I will see a reduction in benefit.. how do I explain the situation ?
  13. Manager reduced a birthday cake to £1.20, it had a price sticker and relevant barcode sticker added to it. At the checkout a rather officious food hall assistant walked past, looked at the cake and said ''I have just reduced that and it was £6.50, no way would we reduce it to £1.20. She then picked it up, fumbled with the stickers, checked the barcode, muttered under her breathe and said ''I'm not putting up with this'' assistant stood there looking so smug and self satisfied, I had to resist the urge to slap her. The lady behind me in the queue suggested that the assistant was alluding to the fact that I had swapped stickers to make the cake cheaper. Said assistant then came back and questioned the manager who by this time had opened the checkout next to us and in a voice loud enough for all to hear, pointed at my cake and questioned him as to whether he had reduced it, to which he said yes. I am incandescent with rage and unable to compute in a sane manner as to what I should do. Any suggestions?
  14. Hello, first timer here. I'm getting repeated calls from a company called 'Commercial Reduction Services'. Their story is that the govenment has recently passed a law that allows utility companies to auto-renew contracts and put the prices up at the same time. They wanted me to sign an electronic document (an LOA) which would get me out of this. I delete these when they send them. Having been fast-talked by a utility broker when I set up my business I've learnt the hard way not to agree to anything offered by door-to-door or telephone sales people, and the (brief) research I've done talks about power companies dropping auto-renewal last year, and my contract still has 18 months to go anyway. The fact that they keep hassling me makes me suspicious of their motives, but still, there's that nagging worry. Has anyone else been contacted by these people? They can't really be determined do-gooders, surely? Cheers Mark
  15. Hi There, As with many I made a few mistakes and got into the PDL spiral!!!!!! I'm now trying to get out of it. I'm starting by contacting (via email) any company I've had a PDL with to set up a repayment plan (on my terms not theirs). Am I right in thinking I can ask them to set up the plan for the amount of loan + 1 months interest only?
  16. We have various debts that have been in different states of long-term default, being paid under small monthly arrangement payments to DCAs. We now have a sum of money available, nothing like the totals owed, but I have heard you can good discounts off bad debts to settle and it would presumably help my credit file somewhat in the long run to have them declared satisfied. My question is this - what are the best ways to approach DCAs (or the original lenders) in this situation? What should one say? I've thought of some ruses like saying "oh, I'm facing bankruptcy anyway and you won't get much at all", or "we're going to live in Africa - this is only a formality for us", but I'm not sure if those will cut much ice. What has worked for you? What percentage can I get away with in making offers - how low do people go? Thanks for any input!
  17. I wonder if any of you can help me, I have substantial council tax arrears, they were incurred when I had periods of unemployment. I now have a permanent contract albeit part time and low income. I applied for council tax reduction and have had an email saying that I don't qualify, does nyone know how to appeal, its all very new. I have one dependent child and a son who is an apprentice, it clearly says on the local authority website that apprentices qualify for council tax reduction of 25%. Is there a template and does anyone know how to apply for a discretionary payment? as I am now expected to pay the full amount I have no hope of catching up on this years payments, let alone pay the regular monthly payments. Are there any template letters? I would appreciate any advice, I have had bailiffs at the door due to the arrears, they have been placed on hold for the moment.
  18. Just when you're beginning to feel as if you're getting somewhere! Received a letter today from my council advising that my HB/CT Reduction claim has been suspended because my period of JSA (Contribution Based) ended today and JSA (Income Based) kicks in as from tomorrow. I have not yet been given any indication from DWP how much that will be ..... but it will be reduced due to small private pension payment. This means that I will be unable to pay my rent/CT at the end of the month, causing severe financial hardship and even more stress ............. No, I'm not going to tear my hair out or go ballistic ............ but just makes you think if there is any joined up writing going on. JSA (Income Based) will be a lot less than I currently receive, therefore my HB/CT reduction claim will increase NOT decrease and I will need more help until I secure future employment (in whatever form). My initial claim for HB/CT took 3 whole months!!! I wonder how long this new claim will take?? Do we (the unemployed) really need this additional stress on top of everything else? That is rhetorical obviously! So much for peace of mind! Impecunious!
  19. Hi Everyone, My mother has just received a 'Council Tax Reduction' letter, she's retired, in her Mid 70's, living alone, with no savings in a council house, and receiving Pension Credit Guarantee, Carers Allowance and Attendance Allowance. The wording of the letter goes.... You do not have to contact us because any council tax reduction entitlement has already been applied to your council tax account and you will have already received your bill with any reduction applied. She's under the impression that she's now around £20 worst off each week due to this 'Reduction' . So my question is, embarrassingly, what does a 'Council Tax Reduction' mean? I'm thinking that the 'Calculated Reduction per week' means she's having the tax covered, i.e 'reduced' by that amount - so basically she's receiving the same amount weekly. If that makes sense. Anyway, I'm not sure that the letter means what she thinks it does, and it's really not explained well (imho) just, go along to the citizen's advice if things aren't clear thanks in advance, Bob
  20. I wasn't sure where this belongs,I'm sure it can be moved if need be, As all those who have been claiming Council Tax benefit from their Local Authority will know that as of April 13, the majority of LA's in the UK will no longer be paying council Tax Benefit, This is because of Government cuts to LA's in part, Those LA's who are still paying council tax benefit to their residents who qualify are now a minority,The rest of LA's are demanding payment of 20%+ of the council tax bill, as their reduction scheme leaves this shortfall meaning that the claimant is now liable for council tax How can Government or LA's get away with this,? surely it's a breech of our human rights, as it could be seen as another way to persecute the poor and vulnerable & likely to cause them severe hardship which is unnecessary, Currently there are a couple of options available to those who now find themselves in debt to their LA's most operate a Discretionary HousingPayments /Exceptional Hardship Funds, Where they may ammend the ammount you are liable for,but payments from this fund will be limitedm the other alternative is to appeal the decision to your LA, if they refuse to uphold the appeal you can then take your appeal to the Valuation Tribunal http://www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk /CTReduction.aspx Their scope is limited but they can rule that you should only pay say £10.00 per year instead of several hundred pounds The only other option would be for a large group of people who are affected by this to bring a judicial review at the high court, as in particular if you are claiming ESA or JSA the ammount that you recieve is what the law says that you need to live off, now define "live off" to me it means to meet day to day living costs, such as food,fuel to cook that food ,ect ect, and doesn't include council tax
  21. hi there and thanks in advance for any help i work 37.5 hours per week and was called into a meeting last week regarding a change to my hours to 34.5 per week. i was also offered a 20 p per hour pay rise as a kind of softner to loosing these hours, Not a problem but asked if i could have there proposal in writing, Now today i have recieved a letter from my company saying that my hours will be changing to 34.5 hours but there is no mention of my new salary or the pay rise.due to the needs of the buisness blah blah etc. We were tuped over last august so oviously its just an amendment to my old contract but im not happy about them not mentioning my new salary or pay rise. I dont want to look like im being difficult regarding loosing my hours but surely if my hours are being cut i would need to know my new salary in writing before i agree to the changes, am i correct? regards s
  22. good afternoon i have a question; i am currently on a 90 consultation for redundancy and have been informed i have to look productive otherwide my salary will be reduced? Is this legal?
  23. Hey all, Currently I have a Bank Of Scotland Credit card. I have been paying the balance in full each month and then using the full balance to pay off other debts. Which are nearly paid off, however the bank recently reduced my credit limit and after numerous phone calls has not restored the limit. The problem is that they reduced it below the original limit while the card was charged above it. The limit is only £150 by my own choice and yet although the card was at 147 when they reduced the limit, they still continued do so anyway. Causing me arrears. I was wondering if it is illegal for a bank to through you into debt and financial hardship with no evidence of the card not being paid correctly. There has been no late payments or fees in the last year and the full limit has been paid off each month. An additionally piece of information is they did not inform me of the limit decrease. So I could have taken appropriate action to reduce it at the time. Thanx for the help in advance. D
  24. Hi peeps My OH has worked for a cleaning contractor for 10 years. She currently works on 3 different sites for the same end client with the last site coming on-line about 5 years ago. Today she receives a letter to confirm a conversation she had with her area manager a week ago that site 3 will be closing from July 20th. It goes on to confirm her final working day and signs off by simply wishing her well for the future. It is in effect just a 'site closure notification' No mention of redundancy, no mention of notice period. The letter appears to be a standard template bugger off letter as it obviously doesn't take into consideration her hours at sites 1 & 2. She has no written contract (and none of her co workers do) Where does she stand in terms of redundancy? Site 1 = 25 hours per week Site 2 = 7.5 hours per week Site 3 = 5 hours per week Many thanks
  25. I have recently moved out of a rented property and received a letter form the letting agency stating that they were happy that the property had been left as in the original inventory except for one thing - a broken hinge on a cupboard in a bedroom (which I had reported to the agents 6 months previously at a house inspection) and they will be deducting this from my deposit. I went into the office and raised concern that I had reported this previously so didn't think it was fair that it would be coming out of my deposit. I was informed that this was happening as the hinge had been 'forced' (it hadn't!). Agreed that the repairers would give further details on the repair and agents would get back to me. I have since had a letter stating that the repair will cost £45 and that they feel it does appear to have been forced. Also in the letter it states "that the landlord feels he has been more than lenient with the level of wear and tear on the property and has even covered the cost of it being repaired throughout. He also feels he is being more than fair asking you to cover the cost as he did carry out gardening at the property during your tenancy" (I don't feel this has any relevance?! and was not mentioned in the origianl letter as a problem at all). I'm unsure what to do next - is there anywhere I could help from as I don't feel this is fair. I would welcome any thoughts or advice please! Thank-you, Emily.
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