Excel Collection and Debt Management Services

[billy the fish]

Has anyone been visited at home recently by a field agent from Excel Collection and/or Debt Management Services?

 

I was told the cost of the visit would be added to my Mortgage balance and didn't real feel like I "got value for money" given they did a very basic Income and Expenditure review and then tried to get me to make a payment there and commit to a payment plan, that in hindsight is going to be difficult to complete.They never went into things such as kids school uniform( £78 spent today) or car repairs( £189 on Monday).

 

I would welcome a proper review of my budget and will make every effort to contrbute to the arrears, whilst maintaining the normal payment, but the jump in rates,utility bills and the loss of bonuses has meant I missed a month and have £3600 arrears. Whilst £360 x 10 months is achieveable in any month where there are no additional costs, it is impossible when there are,and I hope my Mortgage Company don't judge me on the fact that I was encouraged to sign a document saying I understood I now had to make that every month,and have already got problems doing it in month one.

 

I rate the value for money from a visit I hadn't asked for 1 out of 5 and feel that these costs £85, should be removed because it wasn't treating me farily.Please give me your views.

Edited August 21, 2008 by billy the fish
spelling error

[citizenB]

How did these people contact you ?. Have you tried CCCS or National Debtline, both free debt counselling services.

[42man]

This is of course your personal preference, but as said by citizenb, how did they contact you ? why are they charging you for something you can do yourself or for free elsewhere ?....if there is a cooling off period for using their services then I would cancel it immediately, and get in touch with the CCCS or the National Debtline both free....if the budget is unrealistic...It might even be worth talking to the CAB and/or Trading Standards/Consumer Direct

[BanditQueen]

Has anyone been visited at home recently by a field agent from Excel Collection and/or Debt Management Services?

 

I was told the cost of the visit would be added to my Mortgage balance and didn't real feel like I "got value for money" given they did a very basic Income and Expenditure review and then tried to get me to make a payment there and commit to a payment plan, that in hindsight is going to be difficult to complete.They never went into things such as kids school uniform( £78 spent today) or car repairs( £189 on Monday).

 

I would welcome a proper review of my budget and will make every effort to contrbute to the arrears, whilst maintaining the normal payment, but the jump in rates,utility bills and the loss of bonuses has meant I missed a month and have £3600 arrears. Whilst £360 x 10 months is achieveable in any month where there are no additional costs, it is impossible when there are,and I hope my Mortgage Company don't judge me on the fact that I was encouraged to sign a document saying I understood I now had to make that every month,and have already got problems doing it in month one.

 

I rate the value for money from a visit I hadn't asked for 1 out of 5 and feel that these costs £85, should be removed because it wasn't treating me farily.Please give me your views.

 

You did not have to allow these people into your home and you did not have any obligation to give them information about anything. You should have politely but firmly told them that you did not want them to visit you and that you would not deal with them coming out to you as you had not asked them to come to visit you. You should have told them to leave and not to come back and then told them that you would not allow them to come in again. Also they do not have any power to force you to accept them. You have the right to say no and you should never allow these people in. They are being used to try and put pressure on you. You should have asked for only contact in writing and told them that you do not deal with people you have not made a former appointment with and that you will only deal with these matters in writing direct with your mortgage company.

 

It is always better to fill in an income and expenditure form through the CAB or a housing organisation, or welfare or debt management such as the national debt line, someone that can help and that is free to deal with. There are many organisations out there and they can help you to fill in a form that will take everything into consideration and that is accepted by most mortgage lenders. You do not have to accept the service sent to you and charged for by the company and you should tell your provider this in no uncertain terms. Get proper advice fast from an independent and free debt help service who may also be able to negotiate with your company and if you feel bullied into this item, then try and get it changed. Tell them your circumstances have gone worse since you signed it and take it from there. Never let these people into your home; refuse to pay the charge and demand it is refunded.

 

I had a visit from this company today, out of the blue, without any prior notice, despite the company coming to an agreement over the payments last week and they are accepting the DWP covering the interest is enough for now. The man, John McCarthy, was very aggressive and he knocked and rang the bell several times. My husband is ill at the moment and did not want to deal with him. I came down stairs as he would not go away and Steve had decided to open the door and ask him to leave. He tried to force his way into the house, but I got in his way and demanded his identification. I could not even see it; it was that small. I told him to leave and he tried to force his way in; as I tried to close the door. He said he was from our mortgage company to get information from us, so I told him no and to leave. He said he was not selling anything and tried to push the door open. I hurt my shoulder as I tried to close it, but we both managed to get him out and told him no and to leave. He stayed outside, banging and ringing for 5 minutes, until I screamed at him to go away or I would call the police. He put something through the letter box and went. He called on my neighbour who swore at him to go away or they would also call the police.

 

I took the letter he put through and left two messages telling them not to come back as I do not want any further contact and will have them arrested for trespass if they come back. I sent an email and a complaint to the company. I hope for their sake that they get the message. If they want any information they can find my missing payments, send me a form and negotiate with Riverside Housing, acting on my part. I will not tolerate bullies at my front door, and I would encourage everyone else to refuse all debt collectors and bailiffs information or entry into their homes and tell them not to come back.