Wonga payday loan

[purplepatch]

Hi

 

I hope someone could give me some advice on how to deal with Wonga payday loan company. I borrowed £700 on 1 November 2009 with the agreement to pay back on 30 November 2009. In the middle of November my husband became ill and was signed off work and only received SSP therefore my wages suddenly became the main wages and therefore had to pay rent etc. I rang Wonga to explain but could not get through as they were "experiencing high call volumes" I left a message for somebody to call me back - but nothing. I then emailed them and the reply just said for me to call them!! which I did again - same result as above. This has now been going on for now for three months with my offer of repayment being declined every time. With interest and all the charges they now say I owe them £2020!!!! on a £700 loan. They are now sending letters from Barker and Lowe their recoveries (Wonga in disguise) saying they are authorised to send doorstep collectors - am I write in thinking unless I invite them in I can say they are trespassing or they will take me to court. I have told them I would quite happily go to court and explain to a judge that my financial situation as altered dramatically since I took the loan out and they just will not listen.

 

I just dont understand why they will not deal with anything via email or in writing they just keep telling me to phone them and then when I do I either cannot get through or they just keep spouting that they will only accept full payment.

 

Does anyone know how to deal with this company I am getting so worried

 

thank you

[sillygirl1]

The company are NOT AUTHORISED to send doorstep collectors, they are unlicenced and have no right to ask you for any money.

 

I think as your husband is ill and you are on a low wage you need to contact Citizens Advice and see if Wonga can be reported to the Moneylending unit for their atrocious behaviour.

 

Really their system is appalling and they need stopping.

 

Be aware that you may get letters from Marstons Court Enforcement stating they have a right to collect and use bailiffs, but in your case they CAN NOT SEND A BAILIFF. The only people who can send a bailiff is the court after you have defaulted on a CCJ - and Wonga are unlikely to go there as their charges and interest are very dubious.

 

If you get any more aggro get your local MP involved as well, many of them are becoming more active in this type of field now the elections are looming.....

[ozzywizard]

Do everything in writing, send following letter recorded delivery.

 

Re: Harassment by telephone and doorstep visits.

 

 

ACCOUNT NUMBER: XXXXXXX

 

Dear Sir/Madam

 

I am writing in relation to the quantity and frequency of telephone calls that I have received from your company, which I deem to be personally harassing.

 

I have verbally requested that these stop, but I am still receiving calls.

 

I now require all further correspondence from your company to be made in writing only.

 

I am of the view that your continued harassment of me by telephone puts you in breach of Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

 

If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Communications Act (2003) s.127 and I will report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and The Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable to a substantial fine.

 

Be advised that any further telephone calls from your company will be recorded.

 

Furthermore, should it be your intention to arrange a “doorstep visit”, please be advised that under OFT rules, you can only visit me at my home if you make an appointment and I have no wish to make such an appointment with you.

 

There is an implied license under English Common Law for people to be able to visit me on my property without express permission; the postman and people asking for directions etc (Armstrong v Sheppard & Short Ltd [1959] 2 QB 384. per Lord Evershed M.R.). Therefore take note that I revoke license under Common Law for you, or your representatives to visit me at my property and, if you do so, you will be liable to damages for a tort of trespass and action will be taken, including but not limited to, police attendance.

 

It is unfortunate that I feel forced to send this letter due to the attitudes and continued missconduct from your employees that have previously visited me at the above adress and have treated my family and myself with abusive behaviour, this will not be tolerated and will be reactivly dealt with by imediete contact of the police to enforce the law.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

[NAME HERE]

[purplepatch]

Hey thanks for the great info. I've since read a few more postings here on Wonga and other dubious pay day loans and I am not definitely not alone Thank you all for your replies and valuable help.

 

One thing I have learned out of this sorry mess is that payday loans are something definitely to avoid and anyone thinking about using them - think twice you never know if your circumstances are going to change unexpectedly.

 

I will keep you all posted!!

[walkingdisaster]

How did you get on? Having my own problems with Wonga too

[purplepatch]

Hi

 

Sorry that you are in trouble with this company. It is a total nightmare but I think perserverance and sticking to your guns is the key. I refuse point blank to deal with anything over the phone. Always email or write and keep emailing them and then you have a record of anything that is agreed. I have now told them that I will pay back £200 per month and they have accepted this. I then emailed them back to say it would be only by postal order as I do not trust them not to go in and raid my bank account. I have said that if this is not acceptable to them then they are effectively refusing repayment of the loan. I do not think a judge would be impressed with a company that refuses payment because they dont like it!! I have basically told them if they want to take it to court then I would be more than happy for them to explain to a judge their extortionate interest rates and charges they apply when people cannot pay back on the agreed date normally because of a change of financial circumstances.

 

They cannot authorise doorstep collectors only a county court can do that. So just keep on keeping on at them and grind them down as they try to do to us! Good Luck!

[robjam1969]

Paying by standing order or over the counter at their bank would be a lot cheaper than postal orders- their bank details are on the sticky if you need them