I used to have a credit card with Vanguis, and for two and a half years have had all kinds of problems with them. In 2011 my income dried up as a result of government cuts which removed my workstream. I was unable to pay Vanguis as a result; prior to this I had paid my balance in full or near enough every month. I started to receive telephone calls from them up to 10 times each day, and each time they called they demanded money on the spot. The sums varied and every time they called I had to explain my circumstances afresh. Their staff were in general abusive and unco-operative. This continued for well over a year. Despite my paying PPI to the firm every month, they delayed sending me the forms to claim for several months. When I finally received them I returned them, and discussed the case with them over the telephone at which point I was assured that there was no problem with them. I then heard nothing for approximately three months and the telephone calls continued. One afternoon I received a call from them and I mentioned this policy; they told me that I could not claim under it as I was not eligible to claim, and their representative atempted to intimidate me. During a heated conversation with them I began to suffer severe chest pains which continued after the call ended. I called my GP and was seen shortly afterwards. For two to three weeks afterwards my left arm was numb and I suffered 'pins and needles'.. . the classic symptoms of a stroke. I logged the calls from this firm over a sample period and they were being received at a rate of six to ten per day. I estimate that I have received over two thousand calls or attempts to call me from them. In 2011 I reported them to the Ombudsman Service, who sought 'permission' from Vanguis to pursue the case; needless to say such permission was not forthcoming. After my stroke in 2012 I complained again to the Ombudsman who rejected my complaint on the grounds that Vanguis disallowed it as my response was 'out of time', despite my having received no correspondence from them to respond to. Finally, the Ombudsman agreed to look at it again. By this time the telephone calls had stopped, yet Vanguis continued to charge me increasing sums every month for their Repayment Option Plan despite them plainly having no intention of honouring it. In summer 2013 the telephone calls began again, and somehow they managed to get hold of my father's telephone number and began to call him. His telephone account is in his name, he lives nowhere near me, he is a war veteran of 87 and in poor health. While visiting him, I learned that they had been calling him; he was distressed by the calls and harrassment from Vanguis, and the stress it caused him led to him being admitted to hospital where he remains. Vangius has damaged the health of two people; myself and my father. I have been informed by that I have absolutely no legal right of redress against them for the actions they have taken against me. I have sought additional advice and help and none has been forthcoming. Requests I have made for help have not been answered. In Britain in 2013 outfits like Vanguis act with impunity the authorities appear to have no powers over them. Complaints are ignored or casually dismissed and we, the victims of their greed, suffer. The Ombudsman is no help.