Very good article in today's Guardian

[Huff&Puff]

The usual lies and bulls**t from the Debt Collection industry of course

 

Debt chasers accused of bullying calls and threats | Money | The Observer

[blipvert]

> paste on

Kurt Obermaier is executive director of the Credit Services Association, the industry body representing 300 debt collecting agencies that will be chasing £20bn of debt this year. He insists agencies do an essential job: "Debt is an asset and an asset you can dispose of, and that's what happens. We have guidelines for our members and if we can help clear debt then that is a positive thing.

 

"Nobody comes round and smashes your window in. All our members try to come to an agreement with debtors wherever possible. Not everyone is whiter-than-white, but the majority of agencies have a strict code of conduct and complaints of aggressive behaviour are exaggerated.

 

> paste off

 

"nobody comes round and smashes your windows in" which conveniently excludes what they do practice. What planet is this guy on ?.

[cerberusalert]

"Nobody comes round and smashes your window in. All our members try to come to an agreement with debtors wherever possible. Not everyone is whiter-than-white, but the majority of agencies have a strict code of conduct and complaints of aggressive behaviour are exaggerated.

 

It's alright having a strict code of practice but are they capable of not only reading it but understanding and adhering to it? They don't conform to OFT guidelines so what chance their own?

 

And the complaints are exaggerated too are they? So as per usual everyone is wrong & the DCAs are right. The recent parliamentary debate was exaggerated, the media reports are exaggerated, there have been no suicides nor have complaints to the TS, OFT, FSA & the ICO risen dramatically.

 

The sooner this idiot finally leaves his post the better, but no doubt his successor won't be any better.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Poor old Kurt. Every time he's interviewed about the excesses of debt industry, he suffers from some form of amnesia.

 

He forgot to mention that DCAs are regulated by the OFT; he forgot that the company run by the Chairman of his little club is currently under OFT sanction for failing to comply with the rules, as are some of his other members; he forgot to say that the CSA has a code of conduct too (for what little it's worth), and he appears not to recall that the CSA were fecked off at the high port by the govt. over the electoral role business.

 

Perhaps it's just as well he's going. I do hope he can remember where the door is...

[lickthewallfatboy]

anyone catch the ad at the bottom of the page?

 

Setting up a DCA

A 1 day course in setting up your own Debt Collection Agency

Get Paid On Time

 

 

 

 

you mean it takes a whole day????LOL

[cerberusalert]

Factsheets from the CSAs own website; CSA Website

 

The guides have been published to coincide with the increasing volume of debts now being put out for collection, heightened media interest and mounting interest from all colours of the political spectrum. They follow the launch in May of the first five guides including a guide to tracing, the subject of most complaints made about the collections industry.

 

Debt Sale and Purchase

What is Debt Sale?

 

Debt Sale is the selling on of a debt by a business to a third party (a ‘Debt Buyer’), for collection, at an appropriate price. The price is determined by the ‘quality’ of the debt, and may range from a few pence in the pound (or less) for so-called ‘gone away’ or warehoused portfolios, up to 80 or more pence for the better quality debts with commensurately a better chance of recovery.

 

Debt has been sold in the UK for c15 years and the annual market is estimated to be worth approximately £7 billion.

 

INTRUSIVE COLLECTIONS

What our Code says

 

The CSA’s Code of Practice is quite explicit when it comes to what behaviours it expects of its members, and what is and isn’t accepted practice. In particular the Code states that members should:

 

· Not use oppressive or intrusive collection procedures

· Not bring unreasonable pressure to bear on the debtor

· Not act in a manner in public intended to embarrass the debtor

· Ensure all attempted contacts with debtors are made at reasonable times

[*WelShIeGaL*]

Perhaps it's just as well he's going. I do hope he can remember where the door is...

:):)

That little quirk really brightened my day! lol

[Enron]

The CSA guide is very fancy window dressing, no doubt for the Office Of Fair Tradings benefit.

 

From experience, and the account of others there are very, very few DCAs that actually follow what is put there...... its all about results.... and if that means intimidating and harassing an account holder they'll do it regardless of law, regulations and guidelines.

[diddydicky]

good article in the MOS also today naming and shaming ghost debt buyers foreclosing mortgages on a whim

[blipvert]

good article in the MOS also today naming and shaming ghost debt buyers foreclosing mortgages on a whim

 

got a link you can post pls ?

[cashins]

"The OFT is a complete waste of space," (from the article)

 

Many a true word spoken in anger.

 

The currents situation is a direct result of the OFT failing to enforce their own guidlines in the past and in the present. Although they have shown signs of waking from their endless sleep, I am not holding my breath that this organisation will ever do the job it's paid to do.

 

Interesting that the most activety they have shown to date is regarding 'unenforceable agreement' companies. As most of these are an outright [problem] anyway, can't really complain.

 

Why is it however, as soon as someone says 'unenforceable agreement', they get shut down pronto?

 

David

 

PS rant over.

[silverfox1961]

got a link you can post pls ?

 

 

It was very interesting to read this:

 

Haunted by the ghost lenders behind string of repossessions | Mail Online

[mr.ton]

The OFT can be a waste of space...but the more & more complain to it, the sooner it might have to wake up & do something.

G.Brown needs to take note as well with only a year to go to the election

Why they interviewed dear old Kurt is beyond me...he's only gonna say what you excpect him to

[diddydicky]

got a link you can post pls ?

 

its in the personal wealth section of the mail on sunday- read the actual paper so dont have a link but i believe most newspapers can be read online somewhere if you search mail on sunday

[diddydicky]

anyone catch the ad at the bottom of the page?

 

Setting up a DCA

A 1 day course in setting up your own Debt Collection Agency

Get Paid On Time

 

 

 

 

you mean it takes a whole day????LOL

 

i wonder what they do after LUNCH(lol)

 

lets hope the dcas we deal with now dont go on the course!!

[diddydicky]

its in the personal wealth section of the mail on sunday- read the actual paper so dont have a link but i believe most newspapers can be read online somewhere if you search mail on sunday

 

sorry just realised someone has posted the link in post 12

[JonCris]

good article in the MOS also today naming and shaming ghost debt buyers foreclosing mortgages on a whim

 

here you go - I don't think she knows it yet but she's caught up in the securitizarion scandal

 

Haunted by the ghost lenders behind string of repossessions | Mail Online