* Please HELP * GE and the FSA, or how the FSA responded to the GE charges & the PPI claim

[Munirs]

Hi Folks!

 

In December 2011,

GE took us to court as we fell behind with our secured loan with them.

 

The judge ruled in our favour and suspended the order and we all agreed on a given repayment plan of £156 per month.

 

I stuck at that for 9 months, with every month calling GE and paying the amount over the phone,

 

October 2012 when starting a new contract job in London that involved long commuting and even working some Saturdays.

I work in IT btw.

 

I know it is not an excuse but the commute overwhelmed me in every sense, and I started to get ill too.

I forgot to stick to my repayment.

 

In December, I left that job after it was agreed that it would be better for my health (with the contracted party).

I started a new job in January full time closer to home but the employer didn't manage to secure a big client

so my wages was a stumbling block for them, so they gave me one week's notice and I lost the job within three weeks of starting.

This is purely because they employed me in anticipation of securing a big contract.

 

in Februray, 2013 I had a minor stroke, and was in hospital overnight.

I recovered and found another local permanent job.

 

In February, I made a lump sum payment of £500.

Up until last week, no communications from GE.

 

Last week thursday,they notified me that they have sought a warrant for possession of the property.

On monday, I called GE, and I offered a lump sum payment of £2000 (Aussie tax refund which I got only few days ago )

and I said with the help of my new job, I can increase my monthly to £500 to help clear any backlog.

 

The guy at the other end of the phone didn't even hear my offer and said he declined it!

In the end he said come back and when you have a better offer.

 

I came here for help on this forum and with the help of this forum

and my sister who was a lawyer but now a mum for two little boys, I submitted on thursday a n244.

 

I made the same offer in my appeal to set aside the judgement.

However, I also called GE automated service and paid £2000 for which I should have it appearing on my statement tomorrow (Friday 19th).

My hearing is on Monday at 10, while the eviction is set for 23 April at 12.30pm

 

I can demonstrate that I can afford the new repayment but I am so worried.

I messed up but I want to rectify but I am not being given the chance.

 

GE want the whole money owed to them which £15k.

They say that the £15k is the arrears but that is the full balance

. I am confused with this?

 

missed payments at £156 from October till February.

I paid them £500 in February as soon as I could.

 

Please help me get myself togeher again.

 

I am still going to hospital appointments for various tests a the doctors trying to find out what caused my mini stroke.

They did say that bad news can do this too.

 

In the meantime, I have kept all from my wife as I don't want her to feel the pressure.

 

At the last hearing, she was so scared of losing the home and because of me this might happen again.

Please help.

 

I need to go on Monday with some clear ideas, which I am hoping good folks can help me get.

 

Thanks you for reading and helping

 

PS: GE have added a large number of charges that I know some are unfair and they also charged me PPI, which is clearly marked on my contract!

 

 

I will seek these back, soon as I have done with them.

Please help.

 

 

Thanks

 

Another point:

My telephone offer was for £2000 lump sum, and increase of monthly obligations from £156 to £500 and set up Direct Debit.

 

 

The last point of direct debit was left out in the N244 which was done in a panicky state as I originally thought the eviction was for monday and wanted to hand in the n244 by end of wednesday!

 

 

I have also made a hasty mistake too:

My statement for n244 says offer of £2000 lump sum but have paid this by phone.

Oh dear, what to do next?

I know I need to stay calm, as my blood pressure was 152 in my last test at the hospital last week!

 

I haven't slept since last week and hardly eaten but put on a brave face for my 14 year daughter and my wife.

They hardly know anything.

But it is getting me donw.

[Lookingforjustice]

Hi

I hope someone will be along shortly to advise but

 

 

in the meantime perhaps you could contact tomorrow the Citizens advice bureau and Shelter to get some advice.

 

 

Shelter will sometimes intervene on evictions but time is exceedingly short.

 

 

Although you did miss some payments it would appear you have done everything in your power to address this situation

and the stress of losing your job twice, seems to have been the cause of your stroke.

It's a warning and your health is so important.

 

 

Whilst you don't want to upset your wife I suspect she would far rather share this burden than risk you have a more serious stroke.

I wish you all the best on Monday,

I hope you have a sympathetic judge who will take notice of the very considerable efforts you have made to remedy the situation and the cost to your health.

 

 

These financial companies seem to have lost all sense of humanity ...

[Munirs]

Thank you so much for such kind words.

They have made feel better about myself.

Please let me have any tips, ideas and words so that I can hold on to them and grow in strength.

 

I was whiskers away from telling the whole thing to my wife just two days ago but my heart sank at the thought of her going through this.

I know I may have to tell her this week-end.

 

 

The worst thing is that GE have added so many charges and the balance never seems to down even though I have already paid them a lump sum of £3,500 at the last hearing and now since February paid £2,500, to a balance owed of 15,500.

 

Thank you for any help.

 

Spent whole trying to do my work as best as I can giving it 100%, at the same time, filled-in n244, spoke to GE, kept happy face at home.

 

What a year so far!

And now my sister who is a lawyer, is so busy (understandably) with her two little ones,

that it has been hard to get her to spend more than 10/15 min with me over the phone.

 

 

Got a letter from GE and their sols, explaining how I should sell my furniture etc..

And they are after the whole arrears being cleared, but at the bottom of the letter explaning they would be willing to listen to any lump sum, and would look at the account status to make their decision!

 

They are covering their backs!

I am going to go after them soon enough for the unfair charges and the PPI.

 

I really started look like a shadow of myself.

It's getting hard to keep this off my wife.

She can feel something, but does not what.

 

Is there any chance that the eviction will be suspended on Monday, and what is plan B.

[northernbloke]

I think there is every chance of suspension. Did you get my PM?

[Munirs]

I did get your supportive and kind PM, mate.

Thank you so much for your positive vibes.

Fingers crossed, mate.

 

Cat's out of the bag.

Got home, and was greeted by the wife who asked me what I was doing on Monday at 10am!

She showed me the n244 that the court gave her this morning. D'Oh!

 

Didn't say much other than I asked that court hearing and she said why,

I just said because they are trying to take the flat. Left it at that.

 

 

Unfortunately, she is going on one of those trade course so she can't be there.

Part of me, is fine with that.

Part of me is worried about what to say when the judge asks why I didn't contact GE earlier?

 

Simply because everytime I did in the past, they were extremely rude and vulgar.

Who likes talking to rude people?

[Munirs]

Aaargh. Getting worried now. On the N244, I did not give any reason for arrears. Guessing I will be asked about it.

Can I show my hospital papers that show I had a mini stroke in February. I don't have anything to show loss of job, maybe with time, I could have asked those companies?

 

I have now Bank statement that show GE took £2000 from it yesterday, and with the offer of increased monthly from £156 to £500, would this a good show of being serious in getting back on track?

[Ell-enn]

Hi there, you can take an updated statement to the court with you on Wednesday - or you could hand it in on Monday and ask that it is put in the file for the judge to read before the hearing. If you need help with a statement please let me know and I will draft one for you.

 

You have proof of the £2,000 payment you made and that will help enormously.

 

How much is the normal monthly payment ?

 

Did you affix an income and expenditure statement to the N244?

[Munirs]

Hi Ell-en

 

The eviction is on this Tuesday 23 at 12.30pm and I put in n244 on Wednesday by end of day

(the court staff were kind enough to hand the application in even though they were closed!).

My hearing to set aside is set for this Monday at 10.00am

 

I have received another letter from the GE Solicitors, in which they say that

" an order for Possession was granted, suspended upon payments of current monthly instalment.

As you have not adhered to therms of the Order,

out client has instructed us to enforce it by applying for eviction date to be set".

 

They want full arrears in clear fund.

However, the letter goes on to say that

"if our client receives any payment prior to the appointment date and time you can contact us immediately

so we may seek instructions concerning the repossesion of your property".

 

However, when I called them today they were closed but the answering phone mentioned an email address.

 

I am not sure what to do to be honest.

I do have proof of the £2000, and I did do a budge which I copied off yours Ell-en.

I am lost at why the arrears is at £15,147. This supposed to to be total owed.

 

Also, I paid them £3,500 in January 2012 a,d then 9 payments of £156 as per my obligations, which is another £1,400,

and have added another £2,500 since February

 

A total of £7,404 since last January! And yet they are still showing an arrears of £15,147 on every GE document!

Also, Ell-en the GE Contract clearly has PPI ticked which I wasn't aware of at the time.

And they have added God know how much charges.

 

In 2007, I paid lump sum of £27k, which brought down the amount owed to £11k

and asked them to recalculate monthly so it can be affordable but for whole year they didn't but kept charging me for the original £36k!

I am at my wits end.

 

However, I want to reorganise myself and any help you provide I am eternally grateful.

 

Thank you.

 

I am able to print the statement to show that GE have taken this money. I checked my online banking and it is there as clear as the day.

 

Hi Ell-en

 

I haven't mentioned that I lost two jobs and I had a mini-stroke to anyone.

When I called GE, the guy at the other end, just listened to me say

"We would like to put forward a lump sum for the arrears"

and he cut me up and said "Declined!".

 

I tried to say anything but he said "come back when you have something better".

I said we are able to offer £2000 now and increase the monthly repayment to £500 from £156, and he said that I was wasting my time.

I left it at that.

[Ell-enn]

OK,

you can still take a statement along to the court with you and hand it to the judge in the hearing.

Would you like me to draft a statement for you ?

 

Have you had an annual statement from them showing payments and balance ?

[Munirs]

Hi Ell-enn

 

 

Spent time just having a drink (orange juice), in the garden to try to relax.

 

About the annual statement, I never got one from them for the past year. Only two statements showing charges, specially the legal costs.

 

I would be grateful if you could help me draft the statement.

 

I feel my statement was rather short and does not mention enough. I know in front of the judge I can only speak when addressed to so that worries me that I might not be able to the chance to get everything across.

 

 

I know you have helped so many people here Ell-enn (sorry just realised the second n). I know I would feel a lot better with someone as knowledgeable and legally aware as yourself.

 

(Just re-edited this as I know it may concern someone that being on 4 different medication I was still drinking? but trust me, the words may be same ("Drink") but the beverage has changed!)

Edited April 21, 2013 by Munirs
Additional info

[Munirs]

Getting closer each hour...Not just the hearing, but the eviction date on Tuesday, at 12.30 pm.

 

Hopefully, I will be back here with good news. Fingers crossed!

 

Whatever happens, I would like to thank you all for good wishes, any help and for taking time to read this at least.

[Ell-enn]

Hi there, I have family visiting at the moment but will post a statement on here later this afternoon. In the meantime can you take a copy of the bank statement showing the £2000 payment and also copies of any documents relating to your stroke.

 

Back shortly.

[Munirs]

Thank you so much for your help Ell-enn.

 

We have raised £1000, can we put down this as a lump sum too.

Do I add this to the statement?

 

Ell-en, will do. Thank you.

 

Hi Ell-enn,

I have got the printout and can only download futher copies of my bank statement with GE taking £2000.

 

 

I would like to hide other transactions and details on there,

is this ok?

[Ell-enn]

Hi,

yes of course it is OK to hide the rest of the transactions

- are you not able to print out the single transaction ?

Who do you bank with ?

 

Hi is the account in joint names?

How much is the normal monthly payment?

Are there any children living in the property ?

[Munirs]

Hi Ell-enn

 

I am not able to print out the single transaction as far as I know. I bank with Natwest. However I can hide the other transactions, pretty neatly with no transaction details or amount showing just dates. But also, of course, GE details showing.

 

Yes, the account is in our joint names. My wife has a paid for by the employer course to attend when the hearing is on tomorrow, and doesn't want to miss it. The normal monthly as per agreement since the last court is £156 per month.

 

We have a 14 year old girl, who has all her mates and her school local.

 

Thanks Ell-enn.

[Ell-enn]

Hi, ok, I have to go out for an hour or so but will put the statement on here when I get back. Are you able to be online this evening ?

[Munirs]

Hi Ell-enn

 

Yes, I will be. I am grateful to you. Thanks Ell-enn.

[Ell-enn]

Affixed is the statement – you need to fill in the information where there are XXX's at the top of the statement (the information will be on the eviction warrant) - read it through carefully to make sure all the info is correct and to fill in the name where there are other XXX's in the statement. When you print it out the printer needs to be set for A4 paper (not Letter size) so it all fits on one page.

 

On the hospital documents - write the Claim Number on the top left hand corner then on the top right hand corner write Appendix 1. Do the same on the proof of £2,000 payment except it will be Appendix 2.

 

Now assemble as follows:

Statement – signed

Appendix 1 – hospital documents

Appendix 2 – proof of payment

 

Now make a further two copies of the above ( you will need one set for the judge, one for GE's representative and one for yourself to refer to in the hearing – so 3 sets in all) make sure each set is securely stapled.

 

As this is your application for a hearing, the judge will address you first, don't interrupt him/her, wait until they have finished speaking and then say “Sir (or Madam) may I please give you an up to date statement” and then just hand it over. Hand over a set to the other side's rep at the same time.

[Munirs]

Hi Ell-enn

 

Thank you so much for the statement. I have two points:

 

1. Through sheer stupidity and the fact that I have never had any conversation with GE collection department

that ever was amicable nor pleasant,

I didn't notify them of my situation.

I dread calling them and getting treated like an idiot.

I feel now this would be against me.

 

 

What I did instead is as soon as I got some cash, I paid them it.

I paid £500 in February, before I started my new job.

 

2.Do we offer what we have now put together (by selling my macbookpro etc) £1000 to GE?

We are turning the tide as we have now getting bit more money.

However, we didn't have this luxury over the Xmas and festive period.

 

3. On the budget, I made a surplus of £700 per month. Is this good or bad?

 

Thank you Ell-enn.

[Ell-enn]

Is the surplus of 700 after accounting for the 500 payment you have offered ?

[Munirs]

yes. Is it too high?

I actually forgot to add couple of item on there: 2 mobiles on contracts £100 and £80 sky.

I was rushing to get it over to the court clerks by end of day!

 

I may have screwed up the budget!

Looking at it now, I actually put in Step 3 under Money left over BOX C £1,451!

 

I did the budget as best as I could have at work, then went to an internet cafe to print them (didn't want work to know) and realised that I hadn't saved my worksheet.

Tried to do another quickly and kind of doesn't add up!

I am afraid I handed it over to the court!

 

Ah well, I am panicking.

 

We should really give ourselves some emergency leeway and not overstretch ourselves,

as I have just started this job.

God knows this economy isn't relaible!

[Ell-enn]

Why don't you do another budget sheet and we can include it in your statement with the explanation that, in your haste and worry you did not complete the first one properly. Affixed is a budget sheet, if you'd like me to look at it when you have completed it you can email it to me at [email protected] (there is no space between the c and o, the site just shows it like that for some reason).

[Munirs]

Great, will do right now. Thanks Ell-enn.

 

Just sent you my draft copy. Thanks Ell-enn.

[Ell-enn]

I've replied to your email

[Munirs]

ditto. Thanks

 

Looking back,

I called GE with the offer on Monday and yet to this day,

 

 

I have not been offered any explanation why they refused it?