I got an anonymous text message from a DCA today- quote - "Dear Mr xxxxx please call Mr xxxxx on xxxx xxxxxxxx as a matter of urgency" Is this classed as anonymous as there is no company name and if so, I am sure this is against OFT guidlines. Am I right?

Thanks for all of your support. It is very encouraging to see that other people have been in the same situation as myself but are now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks again babybear & k65

but the letter states that they are acting on behalf of yell

So do I just write words to the effect of - Dear Sir, Could you please provide me with a statement of account for account number xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx as I dispute the amount you are claiming. Then when I get a response I will make them an offer of monthly payments

Hi Pete, Take peoples advice on here and do not talk to them on the phone. I used to put up with hassle from DCA's day and night, causing stress and leading to ill health. It is most liberating to hang up the phone on these pond life. Any how, sorry I can't offer much more advice, as Im a newbie myself, but you have certainly come to the right place for help and support. Good luck.

A client of mine has paid me with a cheque for services rendered. I have a signed contract also. My bank has just informed me that he has stopped the cheque. which has caused me lots of inconvenience. I have tried to contact client and he is just hanging up on me. Is he commiting a criminal offence by stopping the cheque? Is this "Obtaining services by deception"?

I love this site!! Thanks again guys

I might just do that ScarletPimpernel I am a sole trader by the way! I need to get a letter off to them by recorded delivery tomorrow morning, excuse my ignorance but should it be along the lines of a S.A.R ? If they did decide to try and make me bankrupt, could I pay them in full before it went to court. I could get hold of the money if I had to, but I'm just trying to juggle my debts and a monthly plan would be much easier.

I do believe that they have added charges to the amount. So should I write today asking for full details of the debt / statement (are there any templates available?) And when they reply I should write back making an offer of repayment? Thank you very much for the advice.

This is a copy of the letter I have recieved this morning 13/09/2007 It is regarding a debt to Yell ltd for my business If the link isnt working the text is here - Date 12 September 2007 PAYMENT DEMAND Re: Yell Ltd - Outstanding Debt [£900+] Dear Mr xxxxxxx, I write to confirm that the above account has been passed to the Tenon Recovery Debt Management Department to act on behalf of Yell Ltd with regard to the outstanding debt. As licensed Insolvency Practitioners, authorised by the Department of Trade & Industry and the institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales, you are hereby notified that should your payment or response not be received by this office within 3 days of the date of this letter, proceedings pursuant to section 268 of the Insolvency Act 1986 will be enforced. This will include the issue and service of a statement of claim (N1 form) and you may also incur additional administration costs and interest on this debt under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Failure to contact us within the specified time will result in you being liable for the additional costs and the commencement of immediate legal action against you. Yours sincerely [Photocopy of some geezers signature] Robert J Beat Director of Insolvency. The debt is for just over £900 (I remember reading somewhere that if the debt is for under £750 they cannot persue this action. Is that true?) I am not trying to get out of paying this debt. I acknowledge that I owe it and I would like to come to some sort of agreement with them. I would just like a little bit of advice on how to proceed. Many thanks

Thanks for the support Martin, I know that I will get through this but it is such an uphill battle. I have worked so hard to build my business and it has the potential to become very successful, but I am NOT going to lose it because of unreasonable demands from DCA's!!!

Hi, I have been reading these forums for a while, and I spread the word every where I go. This place has been of great help to me and in a world full of selfishness it is heart warming to see so many experts who are prepared to sacrifice their time and help others. I will probably be posting a lot on here. Once upon a time I had a very high paid job and a great life style. then out of the blue I got made redundant. I decided to set up my own business, and although times have been really hard, I am starting to establish myself now and the future looks brighter. My big problem though is that I have around 60k worth of debts and whilst I have been struggling to pay these, I have missed the odd payment here and there which has tarnished my credit profile. Now the nasty stuff has started. I seem to be getting threatening letters everyday, just this morning I have recieved a letter from a company telling me they will make me bankrupt if don't pay £900 in 3 days (see my other thread). I am sure lots of you have been in this same position - Sleepless nights, Physically sick with worry etc. I also have a 2 yr old son who I hardly see because I am having to spend every hour working on my business, 7 days a week just to pay back my bloody credit cards. Anyway; that's me. you will be seeing a lot more of me on here and if I can offer anybody else any help (my specialist subject is mortgages) then please don't hesitate to ask.