Littlewoods/NDR problem

[mepsipax]

Hi

 

I fell behind with my Littlewoods catalogue payments, so they sent me an amended agreement to pay them back the arrears at approximately £40 per month.

 

I made these payments each month on time, until the arrears were cleared.

 

Then I called Littlewoods to arrange to pay the original balance still owed, they said the matter was now with NDR debt recovery, and they couldn't speak to me anymore about the matter.

 

I explained that I had kept to my end of the deal, and had cleared the arrears each month as requested, and asked why I couldn't continue to pay them an agreed regular amount directly to Littlewoods?

 

They repeated that NDR were now the people I needed to speak to.

 

On phoning NDR, they agreed to resume payments of £40 monthly - which I did by Credit Card by telephone.

 

A few months ago, I phoned them to make that months payment, and they said they could no longer accept the £40 but instead I needed to pay £101 every 28 days - effective immediately, otherwise my credit rating would be further affected.

 

They also said I had made this agreement with them by phone some months earlier. Now I know my memory isnt the best, but I am certain this conversation didn't happen.

 

I am struggling to meet these £101 payments, due to my work hours being cut, I did explain this to NDR but they refused to accept any less.

 

Am at my wits end now, I still owe around £1100 and really dont want to damage my credit rating any further.

 

I want to pay them back asap, but am really struggling to do so at the rate 'agreed'.

 

Is there anyway to negotiate with these people, and also avoid damaging my credit rating?

 

Advice appreciated

[cerberusalert]

I fell behind with my Littlewoods catalogue payments, so they sent me an amended agreement to pay them back the arrears at approximately £40 per month.

 

Did you sign this agreement & do you still have a copy of it?

[mepsipax]

Yes I did sign the agreement, and as far as I know, I have a copy at home.

 

(at work atm)

 

I think the amended LW agreement did state that just the arrears were to be paid on those terms - £40 per month, but no mention was made of my account being passed afterwards to a Debt Recovery Agency, for the remaining balance.

 

As stated previously, I am quite certain I never agreed to pay £101 per month at any time - I wouldn't have as I know I can't afford it .

 

many thanks

[cerberusalert]

I'm afraid it is very likely that you have been conned. In all probability you never had an enforceable agreement in the first place, but by signing that document one has now been created.

 

NDR are in fact their own in-house debt collection department. So in effect you are still dealing with Littlewoods. You could send them a CCA request recorded delivery http://www.consumerforums.com/resources/templates-library/86-debt-collectors/581-cca-request-letter include a £1 postal order & do not sign the request. There is only a slim chance that they can't provide it now, but it's worth a try. Depending on what comes back it might mean you needing to send a sar later to see what unfair charges have been added to the a/c which you can reclaim.

 

This is a non-priority debt which means you should only pay them what you can comfortably afford. Unfortunately they will mark your credit card as in default eventually, it's just a matter of time when.

 

From now on do not speak to them on the 'phone, as you have learned they will say anything to get money out of you & what ever promises they make they will renage on so you should have a paper-trail from now on.

[mepsipax]

Ok thankyou for your help, its much appreciated

 

I will make sure in future not to allow myself to be 'conned ' in this way.

 

Trouble is I am sure there are a lot of people like myself, who have fallen on hard times (hopefully temporarily) and now find themselves behind with their bills.

 

Unfortunately companies like NDR are only to happy to take advantage of this situation.

 

Anyway thanks again for your help, this forum is doing a great job in helping and informing !

[cerberusalert]

Trouble is I am sure there are a lot of people like myself, who have fallen on hard times (hopefully temporarily) and now find themselves behind with their bills.

Well this site alone has 2,273,084, Registered Caggers so that tells you you're not alone.