La2006 VS, Wonga

[la2006]

Summary backgorund:

 

In November 2008 took a £87.00 loan out with Wonga.com, the repayment amount was meant to be £119.00 after 30days. I lost my job ( temporary contract) in December so could not repay this loan back.

 

Wonga in the space of 9 weeks have taken this from 92.50 to 320.00

 

I wrote to them on 15 Jan with a formal complaint - which they have not replied to. other than sending further demands for payments via Chainey D'Amato Shannon Consumer Litigation department.

.................

Edited March 26, 2009 by la2006

[la2006]

I sent the letter only yesterday by recorded delivery - their response is sending me a e-mail.

 

We wrote to you recently to advise that your loan repayment was declined by your bank and was overdue. We have still not received payment from you and your account is now in serious arrears. You currently owe £513.76.

ACT NOW!

Interest is continuing to accrue on your loan so we urge you to contact us as soon as possible. Give us a ring straight away on 0871 288 5705 to discuss the matter and settle your arrears. We can then get your account back on track and you we can rebuild our trust – it’s not too late to do this.

PROTECT YOUR CREDIT RATING

Remember the ongoing risk to your credit rating by not repaying the money we gave you. Your credit rating was clearly good enough to borrow from us, so we urge you not to risk damaging it by not taking any action.

Continued non-payment will cost you more and you may also face formal action from us to recover this debt. Call today to avoid this.

Yours sincerely,

Collections Department

www.wonga.com

 

It seems as soon as I offered to pay the 'true' amount without the charges fees etc they up the amount to 500 plus.

Edited September 9, 2009 by la2006

[la2006]

Wonga's terms and conditions

 

Wonga.com Ltd. trading as Wonga (“We”, “Us”, “Our”, “the Creditor”)

 

88 Crawford Street,

 

London W1H 2EJ

 

 

……. (“You”, “Your”, “the Debtor”)

 

Key Financial Information

 

Amount of Credit: …..

Total Amount Payable: ……..

Term of the Agreement: 30 days

 

Repayment

 

You will pay to us ----------- in one payment on the ------. We will collect this payment by debiting the debit card you have registered with us. See clause 3(a) of the Loan Conditions for more information.

 

APR: 2334%

 

Other Financial Information

 

Interest Charges …………..

 

Fast Advance Transmission Fee …………

 

Total Charge for Credit ………….

Rate of Interest 2334% per annum (fixed)

 

The interest charges have been calculated by applying the Rate of Interest shown above to the Amount of Credit assuming the duration of the Agreement is as stated under the heading Key Financial Information.

Key Information

 

If you fail to make any payment under this Agreement, you may be charged a fee of £10 on the day that your missed payment was due and additional fees of up to £105 when your missed payment is more than 3 days overdue, which sum(s) will be deducted directly from your bank account via your debit card.

 

We may charge daily interest on any sum which has not been paid by its due date. The rate of interest will be the same as shown under "Other Financial Information" and will be charged from the date when the unpaid amount fell due until the date it is paid. The rate of interest may be charged before as well as after any court judgment.

For details of additional charges payable under this Agreement, please see clause 4 of the Loan Conditions.

 

MISSING PAYMENTS

Missing payments could have severe consequences and make obtaining credit more difficult.

 

IMPORTANT – READ THIS CAREFULLY TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS

The Consumer Credit Act 1974 lays down certain requirements for your protection which should have been complied with when this agreement was made. If they were not, the creditor cannot enforce this agreement without getting a court order.

 

This is a Credit Agreement regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Sign it only if you want to be legally bound by its terms by clicking “I accept”.

Signature of Debtor

 

.........................

Agreement wonga minus details.doc

Edited March 24, 2009 by la2006
WONGA terms and conditons attached

[la2006]

Well,

Prepared and posted my complaints to OFTand FOS and my local trading standards ( I want them all to going knocking at WONGA door all at the same time ( so they can't ignore it)

 

sent on 6 march 2009

 

Even if FOS can't deal with WONGA, at least they geta bill for around £500, the more people complain to the OFT and FOS about WONGA, they will have no choice but to start acting fairly. ( or even close down - their such a small business)

Edited March 15, 2009 by la2006

[pudsey7]

Hi LA2006,

How did you get on with this? I also have a wonga loan which I have been struggling to pay back and would be interested in any outcome you had with them.

Thanks

[la2006]

Hi Pudsey,

 

If you haven't already done so, you should cancel your debit card which you gave WONGA as they will clear out your bank account as soon as money enters.

 

Maybe start your own thread detailing your story so far, and people on this site can give much more help.

 

I sent my complaint to the FOS and OFT only yesterday. I really hope they will investigate them.

 

Can this issue be solved in the county court?

Edited May 27, 2009 by la2006

[la2006]

This account has now be passed to Marston from Wonga ( despite me offering a full and final settlement to WONGA. But i request WONGA to send me their bank details for me to make a payment. I sent my complaint to OFT AND FOS last week.

 

I am quite angry and upset at how this company is treating its customers

 

Letter dated 5th March

Posted according to date on envelope 09/032009

Received: today 11/03/2009

Marston

High Court Enforcement Officers & Certificated Bailiffs

Marston Group Limited

We regret to note that you have failed to respond to our hand delivered notice in respect of the above matter.

We are instructed by our above-mentioned client, in respect of you defaulted loan agreement with them.

Unless we hear from you within five days from the date of this letter, one of our Enforcement Officers will be attending you premises.

The officer will be looking to recover the debt, and establish your assets. Your goods will be at risk, should a court order be obtained.

Any further action may result in additional costs and charges being applied to your account.

All enquired regarding this account should be made to Stephanie Morris on 01992703726

No further notification will be sent, prior to the attendance of an Enforcement Officer.

Yours sincerely

Commercial Services

Marston Group Limited

 

I didn't get any hand delivered notices from Marston - lying

 

What wonga have be doing must be criminal? I have to admit I am quite disgusted by their behavior

Edited March 11, 2009 by la2006

[082stewie]

From my experience they cannot send over anyone to collect cash or asses your financial assets!

I suspect they are trying to corner you and this is pure intimidation!

I almost begged my Payday Loan Company to take me to court and they didn’t. Instead I pay them a token amount each month. Your offer of the full original amount was generous considering the APR.

From your posts I can see that you won’t take this lying down, so give them hell!!

Stewie:D

[la2006]

...

 

12 March did CCA request to Marston

 

Today 23 march - still haven't heard anything from WONGA and Marston - the silence is making me nervous. lol, TS are on hand should I need any further assistance. I gave OFT permission to contact wonga on my behalf but still haven't heard anything from OFT. Fos - joined the quene.

 

Today 30/03/09 - got the standard response ( which was expected) from the OFT

Edited April 1, 2009 by la2006

[will lliw]

watching with interest, have just defaulted myself on a wonga loan.....

[adsdad]

My son took out a wonga.com loan for £95.He is unemployed and could not pay. wonga took him overdrawn. when the bank (abbey) refused payment they tried 3 times in one day to take out money resulting in bank charges.My wife rang them and made a payment of £10 and told them she would pay the loan off at £48 per week for the next 3 weeks.the next week she paid £100.He received a letter dated 23 march saying he owed £47.88 another one also dated 23 march saying he owed £48.19 and a letter dated 24 march from a debt recovery agency called chainey,d'amato&shannon saying he now owed £98.49. My wife rang wonga to try and sort it out saying that she had an agreement to pay £48 a week and that she had paid £100 earlier. When she told them the account number they told her it was paid off. when she asked how the man on the phone said THEY HAD TAKEN £105 FROM HER ACCOUNT. She told him he had no right to do that but he said it's in the small print that they can use any card account on record to obtain payment.she asked to speak to a senior shift manager but was told he was busy(after being left on hold for a while) so she asked them to ring her later.We are still waiting.so we are taking it to the banking ombudsman.will let you know how we get on

[la2006]

.We are still waiting.so we are taking it to the banking ombudsman.will let you know how we get on

 

To the above posts- you will get good advice from this site if you need it, Its betters to start your own threads.

 

Oh you have to make a formal complaint to WONGA first ( send it by recorded delivery) and wait for their final response /8 weeks before you can take it to FOS. Should replace you debit/cards just in case.

Edited April 3, 2009 by la2006

[la2006]

A little update,

 

I finally got around to sending WONGA a SAR request yesterday with £10 P/O. Still haven't heard anything from WONGA and Marston, still haven't had my CCA back.

 

Today got a letter from FOS basically saying that WONGA have not issued a final response but, the 8 weeks have passed already . FOS have contacted WONGA ( assume in writing) requesting them to give a final response in the next 14 days.

 

I may attached my fos to this post - once i have time to edit and minus details - I got most from another thread, which helped me alot - its not perfect - there are errors, but it may help should you be having the problems I was having with WONGA

Edited April 9, 2009 by la2006

[EBOY]

adsad see the other thread.

FLA :: Consumer finance :: Consumer complaints

 

tell your story and point out the have made the account overdrawn and that is against the FLA lending code.

 

La2006, I have had enough of these stories. Plus I have had enough of Wonga not responding to anybody. Do they think they are above the law. Good luck with your case I hope you make progress.

[la2006]

EBOY - I was wondering how WONGA would respond to a court claim

 

I'm too am tried of dealing with WONGA non response - the fact they didn't even respond to an offer of repayment I find quite shocking.

 

I have to wait 6weeks plus for SAR to (not) come back

Just have to wait to see how well FOS deal with my complaint

[EBOY]

Well, I am not giving up that easily. I have perited with the FLA. I ee they will not investigate if there i already a court cae or a complaint to the FOS. Given the FOS has a backlog at preent I was hoping that the FLA process was be quicker.

 

The problem is they will only deal with my complaint. So the more complaints the more pressure they will be under to do something.

 

Wonga are still breaking the FLA lending code. Can anyone confirm that letters are still being sent by Chainey, Damato and shannon.

[sillygirl1]

The 'solicitors' do not exist and Wonga itself (to my knowledge) seem to have 'outside agents' working for them from home, rather than an established office somewhere.... their use of Marstons (who CANNOT send people round to assess your financial status) is very intimidatory as it implies they are a bailiff acting on court orders.

 

As for emptying out bank accounts that is not strictly legal - just because you have somebody's account details it doesn't give you carte blanche rights to take what you want when you feel like it - whether it is a regular payment due or not.

 

Somebody somewhere should have the powers to stop these firms setting up shop ANYWHERE in the world.

[EBOY]

FAO ALL,

Have a listen to this

Errol Damelin | Wonga

 

Can anyone claim that their interest has stopped being accrued after 60 days.

[sequenci]

their use of Marstons (who CANNOT send people round to assess your financial status) is very intimidatory as it implies they are a bailiff acting on court orders.

 

I agree, possibly a breach of the OFT guidance there. They could send someone round acting simply as a debt collector or field agent, however..

[la2006]

Slightly confused by letter FOS, " assuming my complaint has been resolved". Is it just me are FOS stalling any way they can.

 

I already sent a e-mail to FOS stating my complaint has not been resolved as they assumed.

Edited May 27, 2009 by la2006

[EBOY]

bit of a joke. Definitely wonga's tatics ignoring people. I wonder what would happen if we ignored them. I would write a strongly worded letter to fos saying wonga's totally uncooperating with anybody is causing you undue stress which is contrary to the fla guidelines that they have signed up to.

[camuser]

Hi

I have a loan out with Wonga. Have been indebted for a while. Get a loan pay it back get another loan. Last month I had no money to pay back and did not want to extend as I could not afford to. Now I am receiving emails form them and have been emailing back. I request that they phone me to discuss repayments. They asked for my number which they already have as it end the pin number.

But still no call and interest is accum every day is this normal from them.

[sequenci]

Hi

I have a loan out with Wonga. Have been indebted for a while. Get a loan pay it back get another loan. Last month I had no money to pay back and did not want to extend as I could not afford to. Now I am receiving emails form them and have been emailing back. I request that they phone me to discuss repayments. They asked for my number which they already have as it end the pin number.

But still no call and interest is accum every day is this normal from them.

 

Hello there,

 

It is important to try and arrive at an arrangement ASAP; the interest on these loans is often very high indeed - often over 2000% per year. We always advocate written negotiations if possible. You may find that you get more assistance if you were to start your own thread - if you're unsure on how you do this please give us a shout.

 

Best wishes,

 

Seq.

[la2006]

FOS still haven't dealt with my complaint still waiting.

 

I'm basically disputing thir charges which they added, and their behaviour. Last week I got a email from Wonga in error that the loan had been cleared and then another email saying they will pass the debt to a DCA. I then wrote to Wonga an email saying my case is still with the FOS, therefore in dispute and if they pass my account while in dispute they be in breach of the DCA guidelines. They clearly ignored this:

 

This morning I got the following letter

 

We are writing to you as you continue to hold an outstanding account with wonga.com.

 

We are required by the terms of your agreement to inform you that Wonga.com have now legally assigned your accout to Gothia limited as of - August 2009

 

Red Castle Recoveries will be dealing with your account on behalf of Gothia Limited. In Order to avoid furthr action please make payment to them at:

 

Red Castle Recoveries

(contact details)

 

Please note that Wonga.com no longer holds your account details, and therefore any queries that you may have on your account should be referred to Red Castle Recoveries

 

Best Regards

 

..............

Head of Collections and Fraud

 

[sillygirl1]

The reply back to them should be

 

"This debt is in dispute and a case no XXX is with the FOS. It is against the OFT guidelines to collect on a debt in dispute AND use multiple collection agencies for the same alleged debt so there is now a dispute logged with the OFT."

 

They are the ones who are going to suffer - trebling the amount of a debt in arrears MUST come under extortionate payments.