Yet Another Suicide through Debt. We're going to fight back NOW!!!

[Mrs E Blackadder]

I do think we are a stupid nation and need to stand up and speak out more instead of putting up and shutting up. What are we so afraid of? Is it just being idle or not being educated enough to argue?

 

I think as a nation we have always tried to stand up for our rights (Tolpuddle Martyrs etc) but sadly we have always had the Old Boy Network and that hasn't changed very much. Sometimes I feel that there's no point in trying to be heard, not through any idleness but simply because I don't think anyone will listen. I'm not brilliantly educated, due to several different factors, but I'm not stupid. However, when people like me try to be heard we are shouted down by those who can use long words or like to patronise because it makes them 'look good'.

 

I like the idea of CAG being brought to the attention of more people. My only concern is that it already has its fair share of Trolls - it could attract an even bigger percentage, thus making it harder for genuine people to get the help they need. Perhaps it's only a minor point, but it concerns me all the same.

 

I think this thread alone is proving invaluable in showing just how many of us are pushed to the brink over something that could be so easily handled. As sad as it is, that woman's suicide is already yesterday's news. Her family now have to deal with the aftermath while those who could have helped or prevented it from happening are happily getting on with their lives without so much as a backward glance. I suppose that a lot of it can be attributed to the fact that everyone nowadays is faceless. Small, local banks or building societies rarely exist now, call centres are often located abroad, there is no human element thus nobody feels responsible for their actions.

 

I am probably waffling on now and like everyone else taking part in this thread I could go on forever and a day about what I think and feel. What can we really do though? Politicians are happy to listen (makes them look good) but how often do things really get acted upon. My one thought is that now Anne Widdicombe is on board with the DCAs, maybe we could get her to listen about other debt related matters. Maybe she is a CAGGER and is reading this thread as I type

[nunnyrose]

1. It's not the banks/creditors fault if you lose your job

Self employed - the bank have forced my business borrowing to the limits, they knew 3 years ago the only way to repay debt was to give more.

2.The world does not owe you a living.

Absolutely, I have worked hard all my life, it is only now that I realise I have been, and will continue to work for the banks profit

3.If you are not making it ,it's your own fault not ours.

If I had not been robbed by heavy bank charges I wouldn't be in this mess

4.Why did you buy that house if you cant afford it?

Like many of us, I could afford it at the time, or for those who couldn't why did they let you?

 

Only my own answers - I'm sure others will be similar:)

[mashmallow]

I have my part to add, through joining this forum it has made me a stronger person always say to people to refer to it. I have untold debt and through contact with various lovely people I am now managing to take control on what I can do. There is so many legal thieves out there for the likes of Welcome Finance, Swift, the Banks, payday loans and last but not least Provident. I am now taking part in an interview to relay my experiences relating to payday loans. I would dearly love to see all these companies go under and stay there. We all have to pay our debts and on top of it they add more to our debts and allowed to, the Goverment themselves are taking the p--s out of us. Notice how they don't go to prison for [causing problems], but they will put a pensioner in prison for their mere council tax. We all should set up some kind of action group and fight to put a stop to all this once and for all, power to the people. I.m up for a fight.

 

Regards,

 

Mashmallow

[angel_1]

hiya all

 

what a thread, and what great advice from our own experiences,

 

keep it up will be back later to read more

 

laters angel x

[Mrs E Blackadder]

1. It's not the banks/creditors fault if you lose your job

Self employed - the bank have forced my business borrowing to the limits, they knew 3 years ago the only way to repay debt was to give more.

2.The world does not owe you a living.

Absolutely, I have worked hard all my life, it is only now that I realise I have been, and will continue to work for the banks profit

3.If you are not making it ,it's your own fault not ours.

If I had not been robbed by heavy bank charges I wouldn't be in this mess

4.Why did you buy that house if you cant afford it?

Like many of us, I could afford it at the time, or for those who couldn't why did they let you?

 

 

I think most of us would have the same answers.

 

It may not be the banks/creditors fault if you lose your job, but unless you have been dismissed for something offensive then it isn't your fault either. No one can help it if their employer goes under and you also have to pay the price.

 

The world doesn't owe me a living, but when I have worked hard and paid my dues then I do get resentful that I don't seem to be able to get much help. I now don't feel guilty about claiming tax credits, I have to have them or I can't survive. However, my ex paid tax at a higher rate for quite a while and got no help when his business (through no fault of his own) hit a really bad patch, so I just consider that he paid in so it's my time to take out.

 

You can't make it if the odds are stacked against you. It doesn't have to be your fault. How many people have been made redundant yet can't find another job? I'm not talking about those high earners who refuse to take a lower paid job because it is beneath them. I am talking about those who were in average jobs and need money to survive but just can't find something to replace the job they lost. It's totally demoralising.

 

Most people do not buy houses they can't afford. Some do, but most do not. No one has a crystal ball that can tell them the future and a change in circumstances very often comes out of the blue.

 

The general concensus of opinion here is quite obviously that something HAS to be done about helping people who are in debt. There are some good ideas coming forward and some interesting opinions and facts. That is the good thing about CAG, and as Angel 1 has so rightly pointed out the advice comes from our own experiences.

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi Mashmallow and Angel,

 

We must fight.

 

Mashmallow, would your journalist be interested something wider as well as the payday loans article?

 

DD x

[angel_1]

THANK you DD,,, will be back later now off for some lunch

 

chat later take care angel x:)

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi Mrs E,

 

You are right. I have one friend who was told her job no longer existed and she had to do part-time work or nothing, and her re-jigged job was given to someone much younger - and much cheaper, of course. She said she would take the pay cut but that wasn't on offer to her.

 

Another was made redundant several months ago and still can't find a job.

 

They say that there is no age discrimination - of course there is, the employers just say it's something else.

 

What a horrible world we live in.

 

DDx

[Desperate Daniella]

I'm wondering if Ann Widdidcombe might be the place to start, as suggested? I think she is shadow Home Secretary? Surely this could be said to be about Home Affairs, instead of the Treasury? We are British people living in what has become a rotten country unless you are very rich, or totally feckless. If you are hard-working and have paid your taxes for years, no-one will help you when you hit tough times. They just pile on the agony.

 

Is anyone here in Ann Widdecombe's Maidstone constituency? Maybe an initial call from a constituent might be an idea?

 

DDx

[mashmallow]

Hello DD,

 

It is a production company who is going to be doing a slot on TV, cannot mention right now. I will contact them and see what they say. I said I would take part to make people aware of what these particular lenders are. All this s//t must come to an end, my views are there are some more skeletons in the governments cupboards. Further to the sad news of the lady taking her life, someone has blood on their hands, and what goes around, comes around. I am sure if all the people on this web site got together we could start our own people goverment and make the country a better place to live in. Stop legal robbery.

 

 

Mashmallow

[Desperate Daniella]

I think we need to extend the title of this thread so more people realize we want to take action and it's not just about this poor woman.

 

What do you think? After the original we could add:

 

It's time to fight back!

We are fighting back!

Now we're fighting back.

 

Any ideas?

 

DD

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi Mashmallow,

 

This is a real can of worms, and I agree with you that there's more to follow.

 

We know how much revenue all the newspapers make from the banks and credit card companies advertising with them, so somehow we have to find a newspaper with integrity who will side with us. If we can get some public figures on board it could help.

 

DDx

[mashmallow]

Yes - Constructive idea, lets go for it

 

Mashmallow

 

xx

[nunnyrose]

To all of the above -

Here Hear!

I for 1 agree that the banks have got blood on their hands, and also feel that if we dont campaign we too share that guilt! The reality is that we are the lucky ones having found caggers and the wonderful support we each receive and give (in that order) and as strong as we are, we need to grow. back later, estate agent just arrived to value house:(

[Desperate Daniella]

Another reason Widdicombe could be good is that she kicked up a stink against whoever it was who backdated the rules relating to the MPs' allowances. In other words it was unfair to change the goalposts after the match has started and that is exactly what has happened to us in terms of increased interest rates and so on.

 

When I opened my British Gas account I'm absolutely sure I didn't sign anything saying I agreed to pay them £14 a letter if they wrote to me about late payments, or that I'd be happy to pay £4.50 if I didn't pay by direct debit.

 

This is a con on a massive scale.

 

Still think if we do go down this route we should start with a constituent because it's harder for MPs to turn them down.

 

DD

[nunnyrose]

ok, so how about a template we can all pass on at local level. none of us know how many caggers there are in any given area - maybe its time to reveal our real id's for the cause.

[Desperate Daniella]

Bit difficult for me at this stage. I have clients who would run screaming for the hills if they knew my situation, although I'd be happy to be with you for the press in a friend's capacity if it comes to it, and obviously I hope it won't. You have Ell-enn and Jansus looking after you and they are very good.

 

There is one poster here on one thread I'm on who says he's in Orchard country - that could mean Kent. I'll pm him when I see it again.

 

What about:

 

'Now is the time for us ALL to fight back' on the end of the thread.

 

Hopefully that'll attract some more people. I have put a link to the thread of a couple of my threads and will continue to do so. Maybe you could all do the same.

 

I'm perfectly happy to try AW if no-one is in her area.

 

Maybe we could have a kind of template letter to send to our own MPs, but I was told once by someone who worked at No. 10 that MPs/the PM generally ignore template letters, so we really should write in our own words like we have done so far on this thread - about ourselves but also about the fact that we know we are not alone and from reading this forum it's quite clear that there are so many desperate people out there who are seriously considering ending their lives because of their terrible situations, and then the reference to last week's tragedy and the one last month where the mother killed her son because of debt. Also we should mention being hounded by particular debt collectors ourselves, the failure of the banks to provide the documents we have asked for and their setting the pondlife on us.

 

We have all got our own stories. Let's start telling them to our MPs. Just don't know whether we could get a public spokesman on board before we start sending our letters.

 

DD

[spookey]

Hello DD, great thread and idea. Without this site and the people i,ve met here I would've caved in with all the pressure from banks and courts. Today I spent most of the day crying and am on the edge, tonight I have been smiling because of people on here sending messages, hope and advise. I will try to keep fighting for that and hope one day I can give something back.

Hugz to everyone x

[Crapstone]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/mortgages-secured-loans/170607-spml-london-mortgage-company-101.html

 

 

Previous Customers

Repossessed Customers with no debt outstanding (without shortfall) Customers who

have redeemed their mortgage or Customers whose loan was sold to another lender

As you no longer hold a mortgage with us, but had these charges applied to your

account while you did, please can you contact us on freephone 0800 030 4662.

Once we have verified your identity and current address, we will send a cheque to

you for any amount due. We will write to you at your last known address on up to

three occasions in an attempt to get this message to you. For previous customers

only refunds in excess of £10 total of fees and charges, plus interest will be made.

If you have moved from that address hopefully the letter will be forwarded to you. If

you have not received a letter by (30th November) and feel you are due a refund or

have any queries please call freephone 0800 030 4662.

We want to apologise to customers affected. GMAC-RFC has taken this matter very

seriously and worked openly with the FSA to review and revise our procedures for

managing customers in arrears.

 

Full details of the FSA’s findings can be found on

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/final/[GMACRFCpdf

 

 

No mention of compensation even though these customers have lost their homes and have probably gone through hell because of the company and regulatory services previous failings. How many of those customers have lost their families, their money, their dignity or their lives?

 

A fat lot of good just refunding the arrears charges will do.

[Desperate Daniella]

My God, you couldn't make it up could you? You're homeless, your family has been devastated, but here's a cheque for £11.50 - you must be so grateful you just sneaked in because we owed you more than a tenner.

 

Hello guests!!

 

Please do sign up to CAG and join us in our fight against these appalling financial institutions and their dreadful DCAs who won't be losing any sleep over people killing themselves as a result of their actions.

 

Night, night.

 

DD

[AA99]

DD, you cease to impress me;)

[geriann]

it's so sad to hear of someone commiting suicide.

esp' because of debts.

 

perhaps we could run a poll ?

have you attempted ?

considered ?

never ?

who is your main debt with ?

a name and shame campaign.

a petition to the banks, mp's and No. 10 with the results.

 

that's a good idea.

i think of suicide alot and have been extremely close to doing it.

it's not just due to debt, but it obviously does push me furthur to it.

[nunnyrose]

ok, this is what I am going to do.....

We have our possession for property looming. Once the court case is out of the way I will write to my MP - my loan with the bank might be legal but it surely isn't morally right. same goes for the way it has been dealt with. I wont go into details here, - just to let you know I will fight back as soon as I know I've still got my kitchen table to write from

[Desperate Daniella]

This is absolutely spooky. I've been racking my brains for a celebrity who might be willing to get involved in this and about an hour ago I thought of Koo Stark, and I've just googled her and she is the paper today about not paying a bill. There was a large piece about her in the Mail on Sunday last year saying that she had huge piles of envelopes from banks/DCAs, etc. which she was afraid to open, like most people who don't know about CAG. She probably didn't open the court papers either.

 

She may still have had someone doing her cleaning and ironing - sometimes people hang on to things because they are in denial - or maybe she just feels too rough, she's had cancer after all - but I think the fact that she never cashed in on Prince Andrew shows she has integrity.

 

What do you all think? Here is someone who is in essentially the same position as us, as far as grief, humiliation and stress are concerned. We don't know what her money was spent on, but it's said that her daughter's father doesn't support her.

 

Your thoughts please. I'm happy to try to contact her if you would like me to.

 

DDx

[sillygirl1]

GMAC do owe me more than they claim I owe them on an alleged shortfall and I have been refusing to 'negotiate' - guess who is now going to enjoy having the pleasure of banking the cheque, the ERC alone was about £9,000 (they claim £5000) so with a few other charges it could be still a hefty sum coming my way.

 

Nice end to a very good week all round. Hopefully I will get the payout before Xmas. Will keep peeps posted on another thread.

 

Email going out later to GMAC informing them of my new address and that I want my refund asap...

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/mortgages-secured-loans/170607-spml-london-mortgage-company-101.html

 

 

 

 

No mention of compensation even though these customers have lost their homes and have probably gone through hell because of the company and regulatory services previous failings. How many of those customers have lost their families, their money, their dignity or their lives?

 

A fat lot of good just refunding the arrears charges will do.