Urgent help needed (Wonga/Tax Credits/Child benefit)

[HT84]

Hi, first post on these forums. I was in a bit of a bad position with money a couple of months ago and borrowed some money from Wonga. Unfortunately when it came to paying it back I found myself still in a situation but decided that just ignoring was not the best option.

 

So, I emailed Wonga, emailed an account executive (got an email address off the net), tried to setup a repayment plan via the website. In short, no-one got back to me and trying to setup repayment via the website kept coming up with an error - I had put off phoning them direct having read not to on here.

 

In preparation I had already changed bank accounts and direct debits to a new account, I had phoned Tax Credits and Child benefit way ahead of time and was told (twice) over the phone that my next payment would go into the new account.

 

Well, this morning it was paid into my old account and of course Wonga took the lot.

 

 

I phoned Tax credits, who said there was nothing they could do. I also phoned Wonga, who said they wouldn't refund anything, pretended not to hear parts of the conversation and didn't seem interested in my original contact of a repayment plan - instead trying to get me to pay more.

 

I'm now confused as to how to proceed, I wanted to pay the money back but via repayment plan. I'm now without money for food for 2 weeks, is there anything I can do?

[Tawnyowl]

Hi HT84..

Others will advise but a sad story.

Try for a chargeback.Today.

Ring the bank,try for it.There must be a chance.

The only thing i can think of.In this situation.

Terrible service from Wonga.

How to use chargeback.

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/how-do-i-use-chargeback

Edited December 31, 2013 by tawnyowl

[HT84]

Hi thanks for advice.

 

I've phoned the bank and spoke to a supervisor, he said that he tried to override it but on their system it is still showing as "pending" - so would not allow him to do anything.

 

He gave me a number to call on the next working day when the payment should show as gone through on their system but also mentioned that it's unlikely that anything will be done because (in his words), "payday loan companies are a real pain in the backside to deal with". And in his experience in similar cases nothing gets done.

[renegadeimp]

Chargeback. Dont let the bank tell you they cant.

 

File a complaint against that suervisor. What they said is completely wrong

[HT84]

I phoned again, but was told the same thing - the payment (although it has come out of my account) is showing as pending their end. I will try phoning again when they are next there. I'm guessing the banks wont be open tomorrow so will be first thing on Thurday a.m..

[renegadeimp]

Keep pushing them. Banks will try everything they possibly can to refuse a chargeback.

[Tawnyowl]

Hopefully the Chargeback issue will be sorted out soon.Keep trying.

Which bank is it.And when resolved make sure that account is then closed.

Although at times if there are other issues i suppose this could be difficult.

Did you cancel the Continuous Payment Authority CPA with them.

Is your new bank account with a different bank.

When Chargeback is given, then due to you having difficulties making payments you will then be back in charge and able to offer repayments that you can afford.

Which we will help you with.If you require this help.

As for the Tax Credits and Child Benefit is is essential you find out that the payments are now going to your new account.

Especially as i am not sure if these are paid weekly or fortnightly or monthly.

The last thing you need is more payments vanishing from it.

Ask for names and written or email confirmation.

Something for you to look at.

The New payday loan Survival Guide.

Govan Law Centre's (GLC) Payday Loan Survival Guide has been redesigned and relaunched with the support of Glasgow University's Student Representative Council (GUSRC). You can download the new GLC 'Breaking free from payday loan debt' leaflet here.

Best wishes at a hard time.

Edited December 31, 2013 by tawnyowl

[HT84]

The bank it's with is Natwest. Nope didn't cancel the continuous payment authority, I didn't realise you could until reading on here... but was too late.

 

New account is with the same bank, I have phoned Tax Credits who were most unhelpful but assured me on the phone (like they did the other day) that the money would be paid into a new account.

 

I think when I phone the bank tomorrow to try a chargeback, I will also phone them and ask for something in email. I was mean't to get written confirmation originally but it never came through...

[sillygirl1]

Get a new account with another bank, Co-op or Metrobank both have good basic online facilities and you can't have an overdraft...

 

Tax Credits at the moment are understaffed - I phoned them and had somebody useless, phoned another number and got the information I needed straight away - it really depends on who answers the phone.

 

Some people try to get rid of a caller quickly as they are on a commission to answer as many calls as possible, whether or not they actually give the person calling the right information or not, and obviously the less they have to log into a computer system, the faster they can answer their calls (at least this is what I have been told).

[HT84]

Hi, I need to stay with this bank for the moment - the new account is already active and is a joint account. I don't have an overdraft with either of the accounts.

[HT84]

If I don't get this money back via chargeback - how do I proceed with Wonga?

 

Feel like telling them to stuff the rest of the money owed with their attitude...

[renegadeimp]

Theyre not on comission sg. They are told to not have a call that lasts longer than x minutes. If the operator has multiple calls that last longer then they could face disciplinary action.