Howard Cohen-Discussion thread.

[diddydicky]

I'm a newbie - fascinating to find references to Howard Cohen. They took me to court for three sums owed to HSBC and the court awarded them £4 per month each, which means that global warming will wipe out the debt. However, I've repeatedly asked them to send me forms so that I can pay by direct debit, and I don't get an answer. As I'm seriously ill and can't handle admin. easily, direct debit would be ideal for me.

 

Question: if they go back to the court, will my letters asking for the direct debit facility stand in my favour? They're indicative of willingness to pay.

 

Thanks very much.

 

i would suggest you pay by standing order and not Direct Debit

 

you must have their account on your paying in slips so you can do this with your bank

[count orlok]

they sometimes give the option to pay by internet or telephone banking, these are the details to use for a standing order. you can use them to set it up in branch over the phone or online. once set up there is no risk of you forgetting and proof that you have been paying.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I have just had an interesting conversation about Howard Cohen & Co. with the SRA's professional ethics department, who have encouraged me to make a complaint about Howard Cohen & Co.

 

I will not, for obvious reasons, go into detail just yet, but it involves Lewis, letterheads and lies...

 

Incidentally, here is a picture (on their website), of Cohen and his partner Cramer:

 

 

The image is posted only because it is interesting to be able to put a face to a name. Any derogatory remarks, no matter how amusing, will be moderated.

[lickthewallfatboy]

handsome pair of blokes

[maddiemay]

MM interesting, just started having dealings with them myself, I look forward to my 'Judgement has been entered letter' and thanks to you guys I will not now panic.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I thought I'd just post another picture of a comedy duo.

 

 

Any resemblance to the partners in a firm of solicitors is entirely coincidental.

[Dipply75]

love it.

 

Speaking of Cohens...I have a complaint regarding them and Lewis. Sent an e-mail to Cohens and got a response in the post from Lewis (apparently).

 

I then received e-mail responses from a person at Cohens, answering an e-mail I sent Lewis....then got an e-mail reply from Lewis answering different questions from the SAME person!

 

When I tried to complain they tried to just close the a/c and make me go away. What is going on over there?!

[JonCris]

I'm a newbie - fascinating to find references to Howard Cohen. They took me to court for three sums owed to HSBC and the court awarded them £4 per month each, which means that global warming will wipe out the debt. However, I've repeatedly asked them to send me forms so that I can pay by direct debit, and I don't get an answer. As I'm seriously ill and can't handle admin. easily, direct debit would be ideal for me.

 

Question: if they go back to the court, will my letters asking for the direct debit facility stand in my favour? They're indicative of willingness to pay.

 

Thanks very much.

 

Lets put it this way if you miss payments ordered by the court they can go back into court & request either a charging order followed by repossession OR seize your goods

 

Now who benefits most if you miss payments of £4 a month .......answer them by taking everything you own

 

 

Forget what the court might or might not think the duty to pay is on you so don't miss any payments & as advised pay by standing order & NOT DD.....and do it asap

[diddydicky]

Lets put it this way if you miss payments ordered by the court they can go back into court & request either a charging order followed by repossession OR seize your goods

 

Now who benefits most if you miss payments of £4 a month .......answer them by taking everything you own

 

 

Forget what the court might or might not think the duty to pay is on you so don't miss any payments & as advised pay by standing order & NOT DD.....and do it asap

 

good idea to make sure your S O is paid about 2 weeks in advance of when the payments are actually due just to make sure any delays due to computer glitches at the bank ect dont give them any excuses

[mixster]

My husband has problem with Howard Cohen. Had been paying off debt to CL Finance approx £500. Financial situation was very difficult as had to resign from previous job as making him ill, suufered anxiety,stress & depression and thought of going back exasperated condition. Managed to later work through agency but work dried up because of economic climate. he stopped nominal payment of £5 per month around December as things were so difficult. Then without letter from Howard Cohen got fast track summons. February Have been trying to get CCA agreement, statements and assignment of debt. Howard Cohen said thaey didnt have to supply. Went to GE money and now managed to get agreement and some of statements from GE Money but not assignment of debt. Court case on 21 /9/ 09. I have paid £ 5 for each month missed to bring payments up to date but cannot afford the 400 odd in one go. We really need help what to do next. Particularly need someone to give a view on agreement as looks odd.

Help!

[Mightyacorn]

Here's my thread on Howard Cohen and a complaint I made to the SRA:-

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collection-industry/192657-howard-cohen-oh-dear-6.html#post2317008

[JonCris]

Consider this if you contact the court about an alleged CCJ they will ask you for a 'claim' no & if there isn't one they won't check because they can't, they need a number. This may explain why some of these alleged CCJ's issued in error:rolleyes: do not display a claim number;)

[JonCris]

PS anyone who receives one of these 'orders' should send a copy to the court asking if it's genuine ....................... then wait:D

[cashins]

Consider this if you contact the court about an alleged CCJ they will ask you for a 'claim' no & if there isn't one they won't check because they can't, they need a number. This may explain why some of these alleged CCJ's issued in error:rolleyes: do not display a claim number:wink:

 

Some months ago I managed to get Northampton to check for a POC being issued against 2 previous addresses.

 

I explained I had reason to believe the company concerned might deliberately file aginst a previous, which would be a waste o everybodies (including theirs) time.

 

They can do it, just don't want to.

 

David

[GhostDebt]

Below the link to my first CL/Cohens thread

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collection-industry/182360-c-l-finance-awaiting.html

[GhostDebt]

Below the link to our second CL/Cohens thread

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/legal-issues/184852-c-l-finance-ge.html

[GhostDebt]

Also,

 

The following was a post by Cerberusalert on my first thread (post #16)

 

Courtesy of Cerberusalert:

 

One thing's for certain, Howard Cohen & Co won't be able to use the British Gas defence Customer set to sue British Gas - Which? News

 

 

Quote:

IT error

 

Lord Justice Jacob also had little time for British Gas’s claim that the letters were sent out as a result of an IT error and that Ms Ferguson should not have treated the letters as seriously as if they had come from a person.

 

‘In Ms Ferguson's words they should “not simply blame information technology. They should instead start taking responsibility for the running of their company in a competent, honest and ethical manner,"' he said.

 

‘Real people are responsible for programming and entering material into the computer.

 

‘Moreover, the threats and demands were to be read by a real person, not by a computer. A real person is likely to suffer real anxiety and distress if threatened in the way which Ms Ferguson was.’

[master woody]

I (we) beat him twice, once in court, thier disregard for the law and stupidity works for you in the end ......

Edited September 30, 2009 by master woody

[Sniktar]

Howard Cohen is a company, not a person

[Sniktar]

Howard Cohen is a debt collection company. It is not a person. They should abide by the OFT Guidance on Debt Collection . Google to find that. It is a good, easy to read document. Quote section and paragrpah when you write to them and copy out the wording which applies.

[Sniktar]

Try setting up a standing order. Much safer than a direct debit anyway. A direct debit can be changed by them. A standing order can noly be changed by you.

[Sniktar]

This has realiably been reported as accurate. By CAB as I understand

[ScarletPimpernel]

Howard Cohen is a person - he is the senior partner of Cohen Cramer Solicitors. Howard Cohen Solicitors is a trading name of Cohen Cramer Solicitiors. Howard Cohen Solicitors operation is run from Lewis DCA offices; the phone numbers and email addresses on HC letters all belong to Lewis.

 

They should comply with the OFT Guidance, but as solicitors they come under the group licence issued to the Law Society, making it harder to do anything about their breaches.

[zazen.warrior]

Here's my thread; I'm waiting for it to be struck out.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collection-industry/185771-howard-cohen-tries-again-5.html

 

I have been to the court today, my thread has an update. it drags on...

[batman1956]

I am no legal minded person but while having a little dig around I found this and wondered if this could be used against Howard Cohen in view of their continued insistance in taking on cases totally without merit.

 

http://www.justice.gov.uk/civil/procrules_fin/contents/practice_directions/pd_part03c.htm

 

Just in case the link does not work it is about civil restraint orders.