MMF visit- taking photos of my home!!!!

[sassyRM]

I have recently had to deal with MMF due to a change in circumstances and my stupidity in taking out a payday loan!

 

I emailed them in November advising them of changes (I had also advised the payday loan company but they refused to accept my offers), I advised them of priority debts I have and also that I would not deal with them over the phone or on my doorstep as they were threatening to attend, I would only liaise via email. No response was received.

 

I continued to receive texts, calls and emails (just general 'you must pay or we'll attend property' type, not a response to my offer). I again emailed them in December reiterating what was outlined in my previous email, again no formal response. Just threats.

 

Today, someone parked outside my home and took a photo of us through the living room window where myself, husband and 2 children all were!

Not knowing who this man was my husband went out and wax handed letters for me from MMF! Fair enough but why take photos of us?

 

My husband asked why he was taking photos and he replied that the agent he worked for had requested this as proof that he'd been! My husband & I were furious and called the police (non emergency for advice). They said legally he shouldn't be taking photos through the window!

 

Legally where do I stand, the police were going to attend but the agent left before the end of our call surprisingly! We have a police ref No.

 

Is there anything I can/should do? I printed off my emails to give him as proof of my attempts to resolve the matter but he'd gone!

 

I'm do shook up by it, I really don't appreciate strange men having photos of my family no matter what stupid mess I've gotten us into!

 

I'd be so grateful for some constructive advise

 

Regards, sassy x

[renegadeimp]

Ok. regarding the doorstep collector from MMF, you need to file a complaint to MMF and the OFT and also inform the police. What they have done is 100% illegal.

 

EDit: just noticed you said you called the police. Ok so what you need to do now is contact the OFT urgently and also the FOS and inform them what has gone on and that the police are involved.

 

This kind of thing can have serious repercussions on the credit licence for the company and also the muppet who took the photos.

 

As i just said, you MUST get those full complaints in along with the police documents and crime number. Especially since the police said what they are doing is illegal.

[stu007]

Hi

 

Please follow renegadeimp excellent advice as what they have done by taking photographs through your living room window is illegal get reporting this lot.

 

I would also be seeking advice from the Information Commissioner Office on a possible data protection breach by the way those photograghs were taken, by who, where they are stored and for what legal purpose they were taken.

 

This is the Information Commisioners Office link: www.ico.gov.uk/

[Bombaymix]

Still up to their old tricks...

A family member answered the door to MMF once, they asked for me and the family member told them I didn't live there anymore.

 

They then advised my family member that they would take photographs to prove that they attended. They were told to do what they wanted as long as they leave the front door immediately.

 

To be honest, I eventually sorted the debt out with MMF (who offered a substantial discount - it was a debt I owed, there were no discrepancies with the paperwork and apart from Mr Paparazzi turning up, they were actually the best of a bad bunch as far as some of the DCAs go)

 

I'd follow the advice given above and complain loudly... I can fully understand your concern about strange men taking pictures through you're window of your family! Thankfully your husband was more restrained than me, I think I'd have gone out and acted first and asked questions later...

[renegadeimp]

This reminds me of the tv licence muppets taking pictures through the window of a 7 year olds bedroom.

[sassyRM]

Thanks for your advice. Ill get intouch with all the above tomorrow and let you know how I go.

 

Sassy

[stu007]

Hi Sassy

 

The Email for one on the Directors of MMF or is a Mr Neil Anthony Petty - [email protected]

 

Also the idiots address is:

 

Motormile Finance Uk Ltd

Head Office and Accounts

Protection House

83 Bradford Road

Leeds

LS28 6AT

 

Something else to consider is that this was an 'Invasion of Privacy' therefore I would be making a Formal Complaint to that Director of MMF and request under which Regulation, Legislation or Act of Parliment gives Motormile Finance the right to come onto Private Property and take Photographs physically through someones Living Room Windows of their Family without the 'Express Permission' of that Homeowner and also for what legal purpose these images are going to be used for.

 

This is a serious breach of the Debt Collection Guidance issued by the Office of Fair Trading (Updated October 2011) and must point out that under this guidance due to your colleagues actions you are in breach of the following sections Physical/Psychological Harassment, Deceptive and/or Unfair Methods and Data Accuracy.

 

I am also familiar with the following legislation that can help harassed consumers:

 

Section 40 - Administration of Justice Act 1970.

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Section 4A - Public Order Act 1986.

Human Rights Act 1988, Article 8, Right to Privacy.

Data Protection Act 1998

 

I am now of the opinion that due to the actions of your colleague taking Photographs Illegally through my living room window without the legal express permission of the Occupier is now Pure Harassment and also in breach of The Protection from Harassment Act 1997. I’m sure I have no need to remind you of the recent case of Ferguson vs. British Gas.

 

I am also familiar with the Credit Services Association and, to that end, require details of your regulating body, which will be separate to the OFT.

 

Now what I have wrote above is just and example of what you could hit MMF with in a complaint.

 

I would also look at CAGs Library and also send the template letters to stop them visiting your property as well but other will advise.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I would suggest that any communications such as this should be now directed to Mr. Robert Sands Dircector of Compliance at MMF, Petty does not reply, just passes everything to Barry Ellershaw who from experience knows Naff all.

[fletch70]

Just a question and one that mmile may use. Did the agent take the picture from his car or did he actually come onto your property. These idiots seem to think that common law does not apply to them.

Having said that i would agree about reporting.

For reference the email address to Neil petty does work. So maybe an email followed up with a hard copy to Mr Sands

[stu007]

Hi

 

Thanks Brig keep forgeting they have a new compliance officer soz was going on my experiance from the great help of CAG when helping a Disabled Veteran about a year ago and Neil Petty was actually personally responding to veterans correspondance but thinking about it now he probably done this as it was a veteran and would have looked bad as they were in the wrong and knew it.

 

Thanks for pointing that out

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Just a question and one that mmile may use. Did the agent take the picture from his car or did he actually come onto your property. These idiots seem to think that common law does not apply to them.

Having said that i would agree about reporting.

For reference the email address to Neil petty does work. So maybe an email followed up with a hard copy to Mr Sands

Yes I know the e-mail works but from experience with MMF he does no connect with ''customers'' dircectly.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

A reminder to Mr. Sands that MMF are entirely responsible for the actions of their agents and any company that the agent works for, see 3rd party responsibilities in OFT Guidance.

[sassyRM]

The agent was on the pavement when he took photo, not on my property at that time. However, he clearly took a photo of us in the living room as my first response was 'that mans just took a picture of me!'

When my husband phoned the police, they said taking a photo of the house isn't illegal but if they've taken a photo of us through the window (as they did) then they have committed an offence. Police were going to send an officer out to get him to delete picture but he didn't wait around surprisingly!

[stu007]

Hi

 

Something else to consider putting at the very end of your complaint letter to MMF is:

 

CC: Original Creditor Details (Payday Load Company)

 

Then also send a copy of your complaint letter to the Complaint Dept of the Original Creditor (Payday Loan Company)

 

Always get proof of posting when sending your letters.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

You would have been in your right to insist that any pictures were deleted from camera or memory card.g

[fletch70]

Yes I know the e-mail works but from experience with MMF he does no connect with ''customers'' dircectly.

 

However it is quick proof of delivery.

That is why i also suggested a follow up hard copy. After all if you ate typing a letter you may as well spend 30 seconds to email it.

[sassyRM]

You would have been in your right to insist that any pictures were deleted from camera or memory card.g

 

He refused to even show my husband the photo, he was asked to delete but again refused.

Ill send letters via email and recorded, I generally do this anyway when dealing with complaints etc.

 

Thanks again for all advice.

[citizenB]

This is almost certainly designed to intimidate and harass and I would have thought, a serious breach of the OFT guidelines. You simply MUST report this to the OFT.

[DT&FE]

I doubt if the company will last long, Mr Page and Mr Edwards seem to dissolve companies regulalry

Edited January 22, 2013 by ims21
link removed