Debt Collectors now using Social Networking Sites

[AndyOrch]

Debt collectors target Facebook to get money back

 

 

Perhaps a rethink with our Sites connection? Thoughts everyone?

 

Regards

 

Andy

[car2403]

357 complaints in 6 months.

 

So long as consumers accept this sort of behaviour, it will always continue.

 

It's not the Social Networking aspects that need to be reviewed - don't understand the query around should we still use it, as why wouldn't we - but we need more complaints and more action as a result of complaints.

 

Interesting the OFT are issuing threats of stripping of CC licences for this behaviour. It's time they put their money where their mouth is and to stand up for the consumer.

[MARTIN3030]

Yes this is not new-we was getting complaints about this on here as long ago as 2008-its just that they have stepped up on it because they have been unchallenged.

There are too many who dont bother complaining.

Not only are they breaching fair business practices under expectations required as holders of CC licences,but they are also breaching their own CSA codes of practice too.

In fact this behaviour is effectively a deceptive business practice and should be challenged under CPUT.

357 complaints in 6 months is still a drop in the ocean-we probably see more complaints about DCA's failing to uphold best practice on this site in the space of a week or so.

[MARTIN3030]

And lets not forget-the CSA was whinging in 2009 about this site-and how WE were the bad boys,.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/dec/02/credit-services-association-debt-websites

 

"It outlined some of the most common claims made and said it had provided the Ministry of Justice with evidence of bad practice as well as suggesting possible amendments to primary legislation with the consumer affairs minister."

 

Ha Ha....talk about pot/kettle.............

[car2403]

CSA codes of practice.

 

[AndyOrch]

What is more concerning on the BBC news a video clip is being played with a user being contacted by a DCA, they refer to her daughters.

 

Andy

[MARTIN3030]

From the CSA Powerpoint presentation Consumer forums what do they actually do.

 

 

 

 

Consumer Forums

 

• Websites set up to assist consumers and for

individuals to share experiences

 

What do they actually do?

• Encourage consumers to avoid paying debts

•• Celebrate“victories”against creditors

• Set up tallies of how much has been refunded in

bank charges

• Provide standard template letters

• Breeding grounds for misinformation - consumer

detriment

• Insult creditors, debt purchasers and DCAs

 

 

They seem to have missed something.

 

* Inform their members to report Debt Collection Agencies who dont play by the rules to complain to Trading Standard,Consumer Direct and the OFT.

[theghost]

357 complaints in 6 months.

 

So long as consumers accept this sort of behaviour, it will always continue.

 

It's not the Social Networking aspects that need to be reviewed - don't understand the query around should we still use it, as why wouldn't we - but we need more complaints and more action as a result of complaints.

 

Interesting the OFT are issuing threats of stripping of CC licences for this behaviour. It's time they put their money where their mouth is and to stand up for the consumer.

 

If you say the FOS got around 700 complaints in a year - that is pretty pidly when you consider how many debts are being chased. It is also telling that the majority of compalints are NOT being foudn i nfavour of the consumer.

 

It would be interesting to see what kind of figures the OFT is working with.

 

The message to take out of it is to encourage people with genuine complaints to comlain.

[jimmy1811]

If you say the FOS got around 700 complaints in a year - that is pretty pidly when you consider how many debts are being chased. It is also telling that the majority of compalints are NOT being foudn i nfavour of the consumer.

 

It would be interesting to see what kind of figures the OFT is working with.

 

The message to take out of it is to encourage people with genuine complaints to comlain.

 

 

I dont care if they ban me but you are are **edit**. What ****** company do you work for?

Edited October 22, 2011 by car2403
Bypassing swear filter

[car2403]

I dont care if they ban me but you are are **edit**. What ****** company do you work for?

 

**Cough, cough**

 

I think you might have misread TG's post there, Jim.

 

If you say the FOS got around 700 complaints in a year - that is pretty pidly when you consider how many debts are being chased. It is also telling that the majority of compalints are NOT being foudn i nfavour of the consumer.

 

It would be interesting to see what kind of figures the OFT is working with.

 

The message to take out of it is to encourage people with genuine complaints to comlain.

 

What about a FOI request to get those figure? In fact, this rings a bell and I think this might have been done, previously.

[theghost]

The OFT have release general info on top comaplints before based on subject matter:

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8572148.stm

 

1. Second-hand cars from independent traders

2. Televisions

3. Mobile phone service agreements

4. Mobile phone hardware

5. Laptops, notebooks and tablet PCs

 

If asked they will probably tell you how many complaints they have had wih regards to debt collection issues but they probably wont break it down into specific companies.

[MARTIN3030]

Neither do they break it down into types of complaint.

There is a Debt collection category but there are also others which could see them featured for example complaints about direct debits.

We quite often see members complaining after setting up DD repayments that they have been varied,although the OFT have issued guidance on that now.

The published report figures are put out by the FOS.

Here are the latest ones from the 2nd quarter of 2011

 

Here are figures for second quarter July /August/September Figures in brackets are first q Apr-June

 

New complaints reported 206 (151)

 

Year to date 2010/2011 - 512 (2009/2010 -607)

 

% of cases upheld in consumers favour 36% (31%)

 

Year to date 2010/2011 42% (42%)

[MARTIN3030]

So there was a 5% increase in cases being upheld for the consumer in the second quarter.

Also an increase in complaints of more than 25% in the second quarter compared to the 1st.

[MARTIN3030]

Complaints data is published on the FOS site.

They do quartely bulletins of complaints by type,and annually they do another by organisation.

The OFT will not release any info for complaints about a specific DCA its been tried before-they cite exemption.

[theghost]

**Edited**

 

Martin - are those figures what one might consider 'complaints' or are they a combination of complaints and requests for advice. IIRC Consumer Direct will log everything. So if you ask whether Tesco have broken a law and they havent it would still be logged against them - unles someone is manually going through them to differentiate between valid complaints / non valid ocmplaints / advivce request and so on.

 

edit - just seen your post that stats relate to FOS and not OFT.

Edited October 22, 2011 by car2403
Removing potentially offensive comments

[MARTIN3030]

These are complaints that have been recorded by the FOS.

Trading Standards CAB and others report to the OFT who will look at whether there is a need for an investigation.

[cerberusalert]

"Avoiding debts is not a victimless crime – it impacts everybody in the long run," the spokesman said.

 

So according to the CSA anyone who is able to 'avoid' repaying a debt because it is statute barred or because a creditor/DCA has failed to produce enforceable evidence of a debt it is a crime?

 

Obviously not very knowledgeable about UK law are they?

[MARTIN3030]

Obviously not very knowledgeable about UK law are they? Nope or the OFT Debt collection guidance either. I cant imagine what their Powerpoint presentation will say in response-to the new revised one-but I bet it wont be in the newspapers.....

[MARTIN3030]

Oops looks like they have responded earlier in anticipation. They seem to be of the opinion that it could become a debt avoidance charter....same old stuff then. They also remind everyone that it was they who called for a review in the first place. I suspect this was not because they agreed it needed changing.....but more likely they need clearer interpretation on how they could do their job without seeing too many complaints. Was a bit like their back slapping over their co operation with the OFT in clearer guidance and best practice for letters to debtors. If there had not been so many complaints in the first place about wordings from some DCAs -then there would have been no need for consultation and agreement to make letters more clear understandable and transparent. DEBT AVOIDANCE CHARTER http://www.csa-uk.com/csa-news/50/new-oft-guide-could-become-charter-for-debt-avoidance

[MARTIN3030]

Fantastic web site. A lot of helpful information here. I¡¦m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!

 

Thanks for your support but you have lost your way.....so you can have a ticket back compliments of me.

[gezwee]

Do the OFT log complaints from individuals within total, or is it reliant upon relevant bodies carrying out their duties in reporting?

 

Gez

[car2403]

Clearly will take a sledge hammer to break a nut, this one - anyone fancy talking about use of DCA's in Social Networking, or the CSA's lack of approach, or shall we continue fighting against each other instead? I'm sure the latter is their intention. Remember, the CSA is against CAG, which means CAG is a threat to them. Site team won't allow one member to become a threat against another.

 

Constructive input welcomed, as always.

[AndyOrch]

Here here Car, well said, I had thought the topic had veered a tad.

 

Regards

Andy

[gezwee]

Does anyone know the answer to post #21?

 

Thanks

 

Gez

[dadofholly]

Do the OFT log complaints from individuals within total, or is it reliant upon relevant bodies carrying out their duties in reporting?

 

Gez

 

They log individual complaints - but do not take action on an individual complaint basis.