Work colleague being hassled

[Gonzo27]

In work today a colleage was being harassed by a DCA on the work's telephone. They had phoned her for payment on an account that she had been paying with them (think it was wescom or something like that).

 

She was paying £50 every 4 weeks agreement was £50 a month

The debt was originally Vodafone for £230 bt now owes £600, over £300 was cancellation fee from vodafone.

 

They phoned colleague at work for payment, colleage explained she could pay £50 as agreed but was aked for more as she was behind a payment due to a direct debit returned, she therefore explained she could only afford £50 as she needs to save money for deposit for a flat as landlord is selling up.

 

Dca Had replied with that it is not acceptable as this debt was a priorty

and that she should go and borrow money from family and friends, colleage explained that wasnt an option DCA replied why do you not have family or friends, colleague explained herself further and asked for communication in writing as she was getting upset DCA replied with we dont communicate in writing.

 

DCA also asked why she wasnt in work last week as they had tryed contacting her on many occasions.

 

DCA have given her until tommorow and will be phoning back.

 

What can she do as she isnt able to pay they are asking for £113 tommorow?

 

Any help would be appricated!!!

 

Thanks

(also thanks for helping with my own thread also)

 

sorry for the essay

[mrsc]

Hi Gonzo 27,

 

Tell your friend not to talk to these people on the phone,just say "in writing" and hang up. there is a template letter she can send for harassment.

 

I am sure you will get a lot more advice from the more experienced peeps on here.

 

Good luck

[Brassed off]

Hi Gonzo

 

As mrsc says, tell your colleague not to speak to these DCAs on the ‘phone at all and not to enter into any conversation with them. They should NOT be contacting her at work.

 

Print the following letter off for her and tell her to send it straight away:-

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/37006-harassment-telephone-response-letter.html

 

I would also add a paragraph stating that under NO circumstances must they contact her at work.

 

Does she have any correspondence from Vodaphone to say they have given permission for the DCA to collect on this account?

 

It sounds like the DCA are adding charges to this. A mobile ‘phone bill is NOT a priority debt but unfortunately, this is typical bowlarks which DCAs use to scare people into paying.

 

She MUST report this harassment to Trading Standards straight away. I would suggest that she rings them first to explain what has been happening:-

 

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

 

DON'T let her make any more payments to the DCA over the 'phone.

 

Who are the DCAs?