Uncle Buck and Carter Forbes

[m00nwalk00]

Hi All

 

I am after a bit of advice please.

 

I had a payday loan with Uncle Buck about 2 and a half years ago for £400. When I couldn't repay it back in full I contacted them and offered to pay in installments which they refused. I have heard nothing from them until today when I received an email from Carter Forbes Collections stating that I owed £3424 and that I should contact them to arrange repayment.

 

I do not have an issue with repaying what I initially borrowed but do not understand how they have come up with the figure that they have.

 

Can anyone advise on what I should do?

 

Kind regards

[padja]

its the interest on loan, their APR is 2100.4% so if you borrowed £100 never paid anything back it would increase to 2200.4% so the amount they asking for is about right however do you need to pay it all back that I dont know I'm sure some others on forum can advise better

[dx100uk]

the thing these payday companies do not realize is the loans are only for 1 month

if you fail to pay after thirty days then they send you a default notice, if you fail to rectify then the account goes into limbo as such or flogged to a dca

they can add as much charges/ interest as they want, does not make it legal

all you end up owing after 30 days plus 14 days with the default notice is the original loan plus contractual interest, say £75 .00

THE LOAN CONTRACT IS FOR 30 DAYS SO HOW CAN THEY CLAIM LATE CONTRACTUAL INTERST AND PENALTY CHARGES

 

does this fit your situation?

 

dx

[losingmymind]

Hi All,

 

I've just come on here with the intention of starting a thread the exact same as this, but found this one. I have a problem almost identical to m00nwalk00.

 

Two years ago I took out a payday loan from Uncle Buck for £400, and because I'm self employed had to write out 6 cheques @ roughly £86 each and send them to UB as some form of security. When the 30 days was up I was emailed and asked if I wanted to extend the loan, and if I didn't they would bank the cheques. I emailed back to the effect I didn't want to extend and they could go ahead and bank them. They banked them just short of 6 months later. I banked with a different bank then and I seem to remember the first 5 going through OK (they were all guaranteed so was taken into an unauthorised overdraft situation), and the last one bounced. So, technically, I'd paid up except for the last £86. As they had been so lax over banking the cheques I didn't bother contacting them, and I don't recall hearing from them either over the matter.

 

Fast forward to about 6 weeks ago. I phoned UB to enquire about their PD loans as I had seen that they had changed how they do things compared to how I was dealt with 2 years ago. I was told that because they had banked my cheques and not taken the loan payment at the time from my debit card that any future loans with them was no go. At no time did the person I spoke to say btw you owe us £86 plus a load of interest. Imagine my surprise (and total shock) when I logged into my emails just now to find this:

 

LOSINGMYMIND

 

We have been appointed by Uncle Buck to review your overdue account xXXXXXX for collection and legal proceedings.

It is imperative that you contact us as a matter of urgency to arrange repayment of this account.

Your current balance is £2,944.66. (WHAT!!!!!?????)

If you contact us within 7 days of receipt of this correspondence, we will be able to assist with a suitable monthly repayment plan of your balance, or offer a reduced settlement figure of your account should you be able to make a one off payment.

Should you not be able to make payment immediately, it is important that you still contact us to arrange a repayment date for your outstanding debt.

If no contact is made by this time, your account will be reviewed immediately for possible court action, where we may seek to obtain an attachment of earnings order so that your employer pays your full outstanding amount as a deduction of your salary.

Should you have multiple creditors and you feel as if you cannot make suitable repayments; we may be able to put you in touch with a leading financial advisory company to help you manage your debts at an affordable monthly rate with all interest frozen. Ask an account manager for more details.

Please call 0845 026 8038 or reply to this email as soon as possible to make repayment arrangements.

We look forward to hearing your reply. (I BET THEY DO!)

Regards

Carter Forbes Collections

 

So, I'm not quite sure where I should go from here. All advice welcome, thanks.

[jimbo73]

I too have received an email from Carter Forbes regarding a alleged outstanding balance from Uncle Buck...

I've not used them since June 2009 and balance was totally clear. Rather an odd way of chasing a debt surely? by email!?#

I've not moved house in the last 6 years, so why have you not contacted me before? by email/phone or surely by POST!!!

I certainly do not accept an email out-of-the-blue as a legitimate way of chasing a alleged debt...

 

 

We have been appointed by Uncle Buck to review your overdue account x190290 for collection and legal proceedings.

It is imperative that you contact us as a matter of urgency to arrange repayment of this account.

Your current balance is £616.00.

If you contact us within 7 days of receipt of this correspondence, we will be able to assist with a suitable monthly repayment plan of your balance, or offer a reduced settlement figure of your account should you be able to make a one off payment.

Should you not be able to make payment immediately, it is important that you still contact us to arrange a repayment date for your outstanding debt.

If no contact is made by this time, your account will be reviewed immediately for possible court action, where we may seek to obtain an attachment of earnings order so that your employer pays your full outstanding amount as a deduction of your salary.

Should you have multiple creditors and you feel as if you cannot make suitable repayments; we may be able to put you in touch with a leading financial advisory company to help you manage your debts at an affordable monthly rate with all interest frozen. Ask an account manager for more details.

Please call 0845 026 8038 or reply to this email as soon as possible to make repayment arrangements.

We look forward to hearing your reply.

 

Regards

Carter Forbes Collections

Switchboard: 0845 026 8038

Fax: 0845 026 8037

Carter Forbes Collections is a member of the Credit Services Association. The Credit Services Association (CSA) is the only National Association in the UK for companies active in relation to unpaid credit accounts, debt recovery agencies, tracing and allied professional services and has a history dating back to 1902.

[losingmymind]

So there's a few of us all in a similar situation... just wondering what the best way forward is? Been checking through the carterforbes website ad it would seem that they take a zero tolerance towards debt, and will take you to court within 21 days of taking on the debt if you don't contact them to arrange repayment. Mind you, would just love to get them to explain in court how they conjured up the £2944 figure from £86 of debt! On their website they say they write to you twice and if no contact is made they go straight for court. So far contact has only been made by email and in the small print at the bottom of the email it states "No reliance may be placed on this message without written confirmation from an authorised representative of the company." Does this mean their email doesn't count as attempt to contact no.1?

 

Does anyone have any take on this at all?

 

What template should I use, if any, to query the charges that have been added?

[jimbo73]

I've received this email this morning, STILL no correspondence in writing (via post)

 

 

Dear Client,

 

As you are aware you have been with Carter Forbes for over 2 weeks now.

 

Our collection procedures are escalating and will continue to do so up until an arrangement is in place.

 

PLEASE BE AWARE we are still attempting to collect the full balance for your overdue payday loan

 

To avoid this simply reply to this email with an offer of repayment *If paid in full we will significantly reduce your balance*

 

IF you are struggling financially we work closely with a Debt Management company called DSC (Debt Support Company) if you would like further information please do request this.

 

 

Regards

Carter Forbes Collections

[mrgruff]

I have exactly the same issue. Text message received last week, but no letter. I can't recall the debt, but I think it may be that this dates from 2008.I am curious as to what's happening here, it would appear that CF may have bought a portfolio in bulk from UB.I am going to pre-emptively write to them and ask for the agreement, statement of account, default notice etc. Just in case this is a sneak tactic and they'll just issue. Whilst I would be more than confident in arguing against a judgement here, I would rather not have the hassle! If they come back with any negative response then I'll send statutory requests as normal.We all need to see a breakdown of what they're asking for before we can argue against it, but I'm more than certain that waiting 3 years before chasing an account and then asking for 2000% apr for the intervening period is entirely unequitable. Indeed, no other creditor or DCA I have dealt with has had the cheek. However, if anyone on the site knows some law/oft guidance to review to see if it applies in these cases, that would be helpful!

[bilkobaggins]

Guys , you're not alone.

 

I received my first e-mail from them (same one as Losingmymind) and then the second, (same as jimbo83).

 

Seems I took out a payday loan with Uncle *uck back in the early parts of 2009 and soon after I proceeded to get myself in some situations,

took out a debt management plan (which I'm still on), but settled the Uncle *uck account through another debt collection outfit 'Meritforce' in August 2009 and received confirmation to prove this.

 

Original amount of loan was I believe for around £200, and I settled with £something like £199.97 through Meritforce, happy days all done and dusted so I thought ?

 

Apparently not as I've these goons on my back now......

 

what I did was to e-mail them initially the evening I received the mail (last Tuesday) when they seemed to think I owed them in excess of 2700 quid or something ? No reply.

 

So I ring them the next day and the guy is like the terminator on the end of the phone,

this is him "No no you are not listening to me, you have an outstanding balance sir, you're not listening, you owe this money sir, fine sir, we will take you to court sir" yadda yadda yadda.

You get my drift.

 

from my point of view Carter Forbes can whistle,

I've got the 2nd e-mail so I'll be interested what comes next.

 

I did send just a short reply (not malicious) saying I have no association with them and the debt in question has been dealt with.

 

What I want to know though,

and I really do feel for anyone on the receiving end of these crooks,

is how can they do this ?

 

Like Mrgruff said they must of bulk bought a load of UB debt (dregs and all),

and are now planning on chasing everyone they think they can get money out of.

 

@ dx100uk, also interesting what you say about loan contracts only being for 30days, so how can they charge you all that interest ?

 

Oh and to pop out of nowhere after 3yrs ?

 

Come on !

 

Finally, that chump on the the website going on about ostriches sticking their heads in the sand really gets my goat

 

and I would take great pleasure in setting my doberman on him.

 

Pleeaaaaaaaase someone tell me who can we contact who will kick these goons into touch.

 

Ps, the missus aint going to be to happy about my calling her a doberman lol.

[losingmymind]

Just logged on to my emails and have an identical email to jimbo. Thing is they're saying 2 weeks and I only received the first email 6 days ago. Would seem they even overinflate time! Would also seem that they're very unapproachable if bilkobaggins experience is anything to go by. So, where from here? If CF aren't playing ball as per the OFT etc. etc. then it would seem we need to know how to fight fire with fire. I'm pretty new to this, and so want to be able to respond with the correct letter/template to get the legal ball rolling. Which letter should go first, given that I need to know a breakdown of where they've plucked their figure from?

 

Thanks in advance ...!

[dx100uk]

best bet is ignore them

 

not one have ever gone to court

 

dx

[jimbo73]

yet another email received today.... (not quite sure where they get the "month" from as my first "email" was about 2 week ago... they sound like a REALLY dodgy company - I for one, shall be ignoring them til they ACTUALLY - WRITE to me!

 

 

Dear Client,

 

As you are aware your account has been with us for over a month now,

 

Today only we will be matching your payment for example : if you were to pay £20.00 we would double that to £40.00 to take off your balance!

 

To participate in this offer simply call in on 0845 026 8038 or email myself and I will be happy to be of further assistance.

 

Please note if we cannot make an arrangement on your account we will be escalating your account further

 

Regards

[dx100uk]

thats the clincher then

 

anyone on a debt that offers a discount is trying to fleece you into paying a debt that they cannot enforce

 

either its paperwork or its mostly charges

 

totally ignore them now..

 

dx

[losingmymind]

And here's the missive I received yesterday, again by email, entitled Carter Forbes Offer of Assistance:

 

We understand that in our current financial climate it can be difficult to keep on top of your monthly repayments, and that some creditors may not accept your offer of payment, even if it is all you can realistically afford.

 

We may be able to help.

 

We are now working closely alongside a leading Debt Management Company, the Debt Support Company, who may be able to consolidate your current debts into a single monthly payment, AND freeze interest on your current unsecured debts. You will be assigned a personal account manager who will manage your monthly payments, and make payments to your creditors based on your current affordability.

 

Already with a debt management company? That’s fine – The Debt Support company offer very competitive rates and may be able to better your monthly fee; meaning more of your money goes to your creditors, clearing your debts faster.

 

If this is of interest to you, please reply to this email or call 0845 026 8038 today and speak to one of our account managers to find out how we may be able to help you start saving money and take the stress away from paying your bills today!

 

Regards

Carter Forbes Collections

Switchboard: 0845 026 8038

Fax: 0845 026 8037

[mrgruff]

How ridiculous. A supposed DCA trying to cross-sell debt management. Which no doubt gives them preferential treatment by not disputing the 2 years of 2000% apr and charges.... Crooks.I've had no response to my letter, will leave it for them to PROVE IT!

[losingmymind]

Text received today from them.

 

"LOSINGMYMIND You have an outstanding debt with Uncle Buck of £2944.66 call 0850268038 today before your account is vetted for legal action."

 

Still nothing in writing through the post. Two years on I might not even be using the email address or phone I used then.

 

Should I still ignore?

[padja]

ignore them if they had any sort of case they would have issued proceedings, next email will be probably offering you a 'discount' if you settle like 50% of their total

[jimbo73]

Surprise Surprise another email... they are prepared to send someone round to my house, so obviously still have my address, yet have not heard of a letter.!? this should be interesting....

 

 

As you are aware, you currently have an outstanding debt with Uncle Buck. This has now been passed on to Carter Forbes Collections who have been asked to assist with the collection of said debt.

It is imperative that an arrangement is made before Doorstep Collection Staff are issued.

Please call us IMMEDIATELY on 0845 026 8038

 

 

Regards

Carter Forbes Collections

Switchboard: 0845 026 8038

Fax: 0845 026 8037

[losingmymind]

Just logged in to my emails to find your update to the thread jimbo73 and 2 identical emails from carter forbes saying the same as they've written to you. This follows on from the texts I have also been receiving since the last email. Should be very interesting indeed... Why oh why (starting to sound like Points of View now) can't they just send a letter and do things properly?

[padja]

looks like the work experience has progressed from colouring in debt letters to sending emails perhaps they were eating all the blue crayons

[selinamom]

Just a word of warning here, if you agree a repayment plan with Carter Forbes and then give them your card details but for whatever reason you fail to meet your arrangement DO NOT ignore them. I have just had the entirity of the debt taken from my bank account £861. Uncle Buck whacked extortionate interest on and to be fair Carter Forbes offered to accept a much lower amount but I missed the final payment and so they took the original "debt".

 

IF you give them your card details keep in touch and keep the arrangement.

[dx100uk]

if they did not inform you in WRITING that that was going to happen

then get it back under the DD guarantee or by chargeback

 

they CANNOT do that without informing your IN WRITING.

 

as for the extra charges etc, if its more than1month then thaTS NOT ALLOWED EITHER

 

DO SOme reading in this forum

 

dx

Edited July 8, 2011 by dx100uk
SOME READING IN THIS FORUM.

[losingmymind]

Those nice people at CF have sent another email.

 

LOSINGMYMIND

 

Following numerous attempts to help you come to an arrangement to settle your debt with Uncle Buck reference: xxxxxxx; we are 14 days away from vetting your account to issue court proceedings. As a final offer of help before court proceedings are issued we strongly advise you to consider the options below regarding a standing order payment plan.

Please see attached for our standing order mandate. Print, fill in all details (please quote the reference above as your payment reference) and post back to us.

You must pay a minimum of £5 per week/ £20 per month for interest to be frozen on your account.

The first payment date must be within the next 31 days and please ensure the payment frequency is correct as this will determine when we next collect payment. The Payment due day or date refers to whether it is a set day like a Friday or set date like the 30th that we are to collect the money on each month.

IF YOU HAVE ONLINE BANKING – Then you can set it up online. This is a lot easier and faster. If you need help doing this then just call your bank and they can help you with this or call one of our account managers on 0845 026 8038. Once set up please email us at [email protected] so we can adjust your account accordingly and allocate you an account manager.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to clear your outstanding balance in a single payment we can offer you a heavily reduced settlement offer for up to 80% off your current balance. In order to receive a settlement offer you must call us on 0845 026 8038 and speak to one of our account managers.

If you need help filling out the standing order mandate please contact one of our account managers on 0845 026 8038Please post back to:

 

Carter Forbes

Peter House

Oxford Street

Manchester

M1 5AN

 

Kindest Regards

Carter Forbes Collections

 

Has anyone actually been on the receiving end of CF carrying through with the court process? I can't wait to hear them justify how they've racked up all those charges and interest on £86 to almost 3 Grand, lol.

[sillygirl1]

Get those emails to the OFT and Trading Standards and log a complaint with the Solicitors Regulatory Authority, Carter Forbes exist only to service debt, not as proper solicitors and the OFT are onto these 'solicitors for rent; now.

 

Ignore their requests, you cannot possibly owe that amount, as said Section 87 of the CCA Act states that the whole amount and one month interest is all you owe (you may not even have owed that much anyway!).

 

You are aware that they could make you bankrupt for a debt over £750, if they tried it on with a court they would have a job proving their case....

 

Get those complaints in PRONTO.

[dx100uk]

did you get that money back they took too?

 

dx