Vulnerable, elderly parent & Vanquis vultures

[SecretSquirrl]

Hello all,

Just a quick (hopefully) explanation of the issue...

 

My mother 91, infirm and not always with it in terms of the modern world, has run up and, I think maxed a Vanquis card.

She is living in semi-sheltered housing has no savings, no income (apart from state pension) and according to the email I saw

 

Vanquis are bothering her for a now overdue minimum monthly sum of just over £200.

No idea what the actual balance is, am broaching this topic with her over the next few days...

but I would guesstimate two thousand just based on the minimum payment they want....(but really I am plucking that figure out the air).

Quite how in this era of supposedly responsible lending they have allowed a 91 year old with no income/savings to run up such a debt is beyond me but I am looking into options to get what they are demanding reduced to a level where she can cope.... as it stands she has run up an overdraft of firmer guesstimate, around £2000, by meeting their payments up til now.

Will clarify later but I dont believe there are any other cards, store cards, loans etc - just the Vanquis card and the overdraft.

The overdraft can probably be dealt with overtime, it is linked to the bank account she has had for years and I imagine would like to keep - but seeking a means to get Vanquis of her back.

Are there letter templates, Acts/lending requirements that can be cited to back up getting them to radically reduce what they are demaning?

Thanks in advance, for any guidance/pointers.

[unclebulgaria67]

I am sure the lending code document linked to, will help you draft a letter, for your Mother to sign.

 

https://www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/lsb-information-for-practitioners-financial-difficulty.pdf

 

I thought Vanquis cards were generally high interest, but low credit limit cards. I would be surprised if the amount spent was anywhere near £2000.

 

[SecretSquirrl]

Cheers for the reply and the link....  

I was guessing at the amount really.... was shocked at a minimum monthly repayment of £200. Will know more when I phone her properly about it later.

[unclebulgaria67]

You could send a Data Protection SAR letter asking for everything including copy of application, copies of any letters re change in terms/conditions and copies of all statements.

 

 

[SecretSquirrl]

Yeah, had seen mention of SAR and was considering that also.....  

 

Heard mention of a DRO - though not sure she will meet all the criteria.  Only found out about this mess last night so gathering all the info and seeing what the options are.

 

 

[dx100uk]

I think i'd be doing an irresponsible lending claim

you could get this wiped out.

 

please don't go down the dro etc route..always a bad idea.

 

dx