DEBT Collection Agency of the YEAR Awards

[snlc]

 

Well, If CTEditor is who she says, maybe she'd like a brief outline of my treatment from two of the nastiest DCAs...

NAME AND SHAME THESE AGENCIES Babybear - YOU HAVE THE CREDIT INDUSTRY'S EARS

 

 

CTEditor take a good look around at the misery the DCAs are causing, if you dare

 

 

I hope the industry is listening, so too Mr Hurlstom at CCCS

[louiboy]

Not impressed with the quality and ethics of the category sponsors.

 

One of them has a crime number from a police harassment investigation.

Another is about to be investigated along with the OC for a few dodgy practises.

 

Tip of the iceberg?

[phill123]

i just reported to OFcam trading standard and The oft robinson way for they harassment about 10 phone calls a day for a debt which i do not owed .... i have ven change my phone number because they simply just wouldn't listen and stop even after through letter . ... well DCA award for ethics Robinson way surpass them all . lol

[dannyboy660]

We ALL Know who you are ! :D

 

 

Thank you.

 

I can't go personally (a bit pointless anyway), but I am assured we have "......already been made aware, and are looking into the matter." So somebody here must be doing the right thing!!

 

In reality, that probably means about 6 months after the event CTEditor or someone similar may get a disapproving letter from "the boss".

 

Or, more likely, someone will declare "Why bother about a glorified private office party??" which is in effect, what it is.

[TheVindicator]

Sounds a bit like The Fred West Family Values award.

 

Still, they have to have something to celebrate, particularly as more and more people are learning their rights, and the scare tactics of these outfits is starting to fail.

 

I used to work for a DCA (Equidebt, the ethical debt collection agency... laugh to yourself please) and I have seen how they operate, I should imagine the event would be a hoot... bobing for apples, and getting shafted as you do. Who's up for it

[djdave]

Sounds a bit like The Fred West Family Values award.

I like it. I shouldn't, it's borderline sick, but I like it.

 

I used to work for a DCA (Equidebt, the ethical debt collection agency... laugh to yourself please) and I have seen how they operate,...

Would you be willing to share your experiences on this 'ere forum? I'm sure a lot of people would be VERY interested.

[babybear39]

1st credit and BCW snlc

[snlc]

1st credit and BCW snlc

 

sorry I missed that it was:

 

1st credit and BCW

 

oh good - take note Award Judges

[TheVindicator]

DJDave - I would be more than happy to share, although I will have to watch what I say because I imagine the CAG modorators would be concerned about some of my comments. I have seen some very bad practices (not only by Equidebt, but thier clients). however, I do not think 'laughing' at the alledged debtors problems really classes as ethical. Also quite how they background check migrant workers (even if Mr Mosivich, one of the founders is polish himself) to operate in such a sensitive company is a little beyond me (and no, I am not against polish workers... We have some very good honourable people from Poland, but we don't need to background check them for our line of work as it is not in the same sensitive area). So what would you like to know abotu them?

[pmhcfc]

I don't know if there was something particular that prompted CTeditor (if indeed it is the editor) to come onto this site, but I hope it was the fact that Mr CCCS was being inundated with Emails - (BTW, I carry no guilt about making his Email known).

 

The bottom line is that these awards do matter to people like Cabot etc. Why else would they proudly advertise the other awards that they have paid for. I say paid for because they have to pay to enter them, yet I don't know if you have to pay to enter the said DCA awards .

 

That being said; the proof will be in the pudding (results of). It doesn't matter what CTeditor says, or what any of us say - we can only wait for the results. Do we even know what the categories will be? ;-) No doubt they'll be an overall winner. If that overall winner is someone like Cabot, Ruthbridge, Robinson Way, Aktiv Kapital or a number of others then we'll know the whole thing is a farce (as if it isn't anyway, but you see my point). Then we'll wait and see what Mr CCCS or CTeditor has to say - nothing probably.

 

Be nice if this site was taken into consideration when the judging is done. It's my guess that the winning DCA will be the one's who ***** hmmm, I'm in danger of libel here so I'll stop.

 

To end, if this is the real CT Editor then I applaud their bravery but at the same time I would ask them to have a read around this site and see the way the DCA's really do their business. Perhaps people like MR CCCS and CTeditor need educating too - none of us knew the real story before we became members here. Having said that, it doesn't mean I agree with the awards - because I don't. To me, they are a farce and whoever wins any of the awards will no doubt have their fair share of mentions on this site.

 

At the end of the day, we all know what the DCA's are like, no amount of awards will change what we think. If they make the likes of Ken Maynard of Cabot Financial feel better about their company then it shows just how shallow he is, and makes a mockery of the whole concept of DCA awards. It's like giving prizes out to the best dictators of our time.

 

At the end of the day someone will win, but look at this face--- Am I bothered ?

[42man]

Can we not nominate the Consumer Action group to win a few awards ??, as it seems the customer service to debtors is the best I have ever seen ??

[TheVindicator]

You should be aware that DCA's, Bank, Credit Card firms have people log on to this site. At least he was honest. I was asked to do it secretly to 'find out what information is being brought to the attention of the wider prospective debtor audience'.

 

Still, to CT Editor - If DCA's are all above board, and have the right to do what they do,why the secrecy? Why the stealthy tactics to get people to pay (often more than they can afford)? Be more open, make your clients pass you the correct information (to barclaycard, prefferably encrypted and not over public email to large groups) including CCA's etc. Perhaps when you learn to respect people, you too will have respect, along with the right to win 'awards'

[pmhcfc]

Here's a fantastic example of what a lot of us are talking about - where does this cut and pasted information come from? The Credit Today online website... Credit Today online

 

Hi Paul

As a debt collection company specialising in door collections this is something i would be interested in looking over, to collect on your behalf.

As you will be aware, sending letters to debtors often does not have the desired effect. However our experience shows that visiting the debtor at their establishment is likely to result in immediate payment or agreement to satisfy the debt.

Feel free to call me on 0113 243 6969 or alternatively look at are website for further information. Pro2col - Debt Recovery - Home

 

So the said company pro2col thinks it's fine to just turn up on people's doorsteps and demand money...There's many an OFT guideline being broken there me thinks.

[TheVindicator]

Pro2Col - turn up at my doorstep, and what you will collect will be far from a payment...

[sosumi]

If anyone has any doubts this is indeed the Credit Today editor. Be gentle with her, she has her heart in the right place and very brave in coming on here. Please treat her with due respect as you would any other poster, put your cause and arguments across and lets take this opportunity to be constructive in putting our opinions across as Credit Today have a loud voice in the industry. If you want any message to be shared with the credit industry then make this work for you and the thousands who are reading this for whom we speak.

 

As the editor of a credit magazine, exposure to the masses who have gone through what most have experienced on the forum will not be as concentrated as the information they receive from the industry itself or the people within it. We have seen how they congratulate themselves and many who contribute to the editorial are extremely professional individuals but the magazine covers corporate and consumer debt. However, from what I have read, consumer debt is often written about from the Collection companies and personnel's points of view. This forum will be an eye-opener for someone like this Editor who I thank for being so brave as to come on.

 

Lets keep the dialogue constructive - please....

 

 

Sarah

Yes I agree. It was (is, could still be?) a brave thing to do.

I'm using present and future because a magazine like Credit Today could be influential in how people in debt are perceived. I sense that CTEditor is genuine, and in that respect I think I could see why Mr Hurlston should be one of the judges for the competition.

However, please CTEditor read and understand BabyBear's account of what she went through. Hers is not an isolated example. But the help she received from here, and the subsequent trials she went through from DCA employees reading her posts here, is terrible. The more so, because the DCA employees complained - and all subsequent posts were edited. So we have a voice, but it's only a hesitant voice. We don't have vast financial backing. We've all been intimidated and threatened, and many of the accounts of the behaviour of those people 'at the coal face' would chill anybody's heart.

 

I'm actually worried about the 'coal face' analogy. Do you really believe that these people are the hard-working souls you imply? Men at the coal face daily faced extreme conditions and the risk of sudden death or serious injury. If they got out of the pit at the end of their shifts they were doing okay. They made their living doing an honest job in terrible conditions - life-threatening conditions. These call centre staff use a nasty kind of psychology to beat people with. They are driving people to suicide - is that the same thing?

 

What you're suggesting is a 'carrot and stick' approach, but as far as I can see your assessment of the situation is very wrong.

Your competition invites self-nominations, but I see no mention in your judging criteria of the actual accounts of real people living through the harassment these Agencies seem to rely upon. So Debt Collectors can nominate themselves and vote for each other - but what counts as professionalism?

Like BabyBear, I an my husband have had to deal with 1st Credit and BCW. BCW's solution to my request for a Credit Agreement? A scanned 'file' that had been thoroughly tippexed beforehand, with dates 'amended' to suit themselves. 1st Credit? No Credit Agreement, and the data file provided had been doctored to replace the (at least) 5 minute bullying by a call centre operative that left him visibly shaken, by one sentence referrring to the call, and six entries marked 'missing telephone export'. He'd called to give them the details of the Debt Management Plan from Payplan - that's all.

You seem to be using an individual in an Agency as a base, not the real consumers, the ones who have to endure this perpetual abuse. We, presumably, don't actually count in any way?

[sosumi]

Also, am I right in thinking that the Debt Collector of the Year Award and the forthcoming Debt Buyers and Sellers Conference are completely separate?

[tiglet]

As I said previously - the customers who count in this award are the ones who want the money.

 

We are not DCA customers - we are "debtors". Until there is a siesmic shift in this viewpoint, I'm afraid the awards will not reflect the experiences of fellow CAGers.

[andrew1]

The Debt Buyers and Sellers Group are a boys (& Girls) club attached to the CSA. Credit Services Agency. "Regulated by the Credit Service Agency" you will often see. Well the CSA had as it's head until recently No other than Mr Kenneth Maynard, Chief Exec of Cabot - the Cabot who are members of the Debt Buyer & Sellers Group ( actually it's Cabot Financial (Europe)Ltd who are members and they of course never buy or sell any debt it's Cabot Financial (UK)Ltd who buy it all, but don't tell anyone, they might get kicked out for fibbing) They regulate themselves with codes of practices that none of them abide by. They need regulating by Trading Standards and the various other authorities who are only now beginning to take a ' little ' bit of notice and doing something.

[andrew1]

These are the categories:

 

The categories

The awards are divided into four categories as follows:

 

Consumer DCA of the Year

 

For smaller agencies in the business-to-consumer

sector - less than £2m turnover

 

Consumer DCA of the Year >£2m

 

For larger agencies in the business-to-consumer

sector - more than £2m turnover

 

Commercial DCA of the Year

 

For agencies in the business-to-business sector

 

Debt Purchaser of the Year

 

For debt acquisition companies

 

 

Please keep in mind that some DCA's are corprorate debt collectors - that is for the uninitiated business to business and the practice of collection a whole lot different than that of Consumer Debt of which this forum is dedicated to so before anyone goes off at a tangent on any of the nominated one once decided please make sure of the facts. Then we can let off the fireworks

[sosumi]

What about:

Award for Bank Regaining Conscience and Stopping Use of Debt Collection Agencies?

 

I'd vote for that.

Oh, right, I can't vote. Forgot.

Last year I was a UK Citizen in full possession of all my rights.

I'm a 'debtor' now. We don't count.

 

CTEditor, we got in a mess financially and entered a Debt Management Plan to pay all our creditors, just in a way that wouldn't break us.

Now we're effectively disenfranchised by the financial community and dealing with people who abuse 'debtors' and 'massage' the Law.

And we're among the lucky ones, who found CAG.

[sillygirl1]

I have just the item to stick up a visiting DCA's rear end - and it's legal to have this item.

 

My favourite story though about a Walking Possession was somebody who calmly listed various vibrators on the form and posted it back as requested....

 

No reply to my email sent on Sunday as yet, will post reply here when it does arrive.

[dannyboy660]

Removed.

[mrmarmite]

hmmm shall i apply for a DCA job? lol just fancy havin me name lit up in bright glaring lights, you never know "Next step Hollywood" yeehaa, better ask diskmandave for some advice

[ODC]

Here's a fantastic example of what a lot of us are talking about - where does this cut and pasted information come from? The Credit Today online website... Credit Today online

 

Hi Paul

As a debt collection company specialising in door collections this is something i would be interested in looking over, to collect on your behalf.

As you will be aware, sending letters to debtors often does not have the desired effect. However our experience shows that visiting the debtor at their establishment is likely to result in immediate payment or agreement to satisfy the debt.

Feel free to call me on 0113 243 6969 or alternatively look at are website for further information. Pro2col - Debt Recovery - Home

 

 

So the said company pro2col thinks it's fine to just turn up on people's doorsteps and demand money...There's many an OFT guideline being broken there me thinks.

 

Pro2Col - turn up at my doorstep, and what you will collect will be far from a payment...

Obviously PRO 2 Call have never studied the OFT or the CCA or any other law. Sounds like they send a Gwant Mitchell lookalike rentathug to you door with the obvious intention of intimidation.

 

Dear PRO2CALL

 

Please give me a visit. I double dare you. I have something you need. Unlike some I know exactly how far I can go and what LEGAL force I can use to remove any of your thugs from about my property and sufficient knowledge of the legal system to ensure you dont come within 250 yards of my premises.

 

 

Of course if I want a Pro to call there are plenty advertised in my local phone box

[ODC]

hmmm shall i apply for a DCA job? lol just fancy havin me name lit up in bright glaring lights, you never know "Next step Hollywood" yeehaa, better ask diskmandave for some advice

I would rather shovel a cart load of horse manure with a teaspoon before I would lower my self to be associated with a DCA and their scummy work.