just found this thread, The bit about the newsreader(ex) is shocking. one can assume that to get a job as a newsreader he must be reasonably intelligent. And if things like that can happen to people of his intelligence then what of the poor people who have not been so luck as to have a decent level of education? I have always believed that banks are legalized thief's. They have no concern what-so-ever for you and me. they just see us as profits. Were all pawns in the game. I'm so angry!!!!

Thats the thing - I already sent them the telephone harassment letter, which worked a treat for about a month! I might go to town on these, trading standards are useless Im thinkiing of writing to my local MP. Especially with all the stuff in the news recently!

Lloyds have started the automated telephone calls again today

Lovely Jubbly Thanks very much.............................again! :o

Yes I think I will go for the polite method.

Signed for my CCA first week in October and cashed the cheque. I sent them a reminder letter in November - still no CCA Now over 2 months after they received the original request I have received a letter from their solicitors "Sechiari, Clark & Mitchell" threatening court proceedings unless I pay up in 7 days. does anyone have a good letter to send to these nice people? Regards US

I'm not whinging about it! And whilst I know Amazon are not obliged to provide anything I am talking about principles. If a women gets banned from Marks & Spencer's for shop lifting (alone)would it be fair if her husband was banned too?

"Debt Collection Charges There is no legal basis for a creditor or a debt collection agency acting on its behalf to claim collection costs from a debtor unless there is an express provision in the original agreement. Without such provision, collection charges cannot be demanded as a debt due under the agreement." I'm adding that to my signature Thats a good find Dave, keep up the good work.

Re - My good friends who are a married couple. A year or so ago the Mr had a sellers account with Amazon which later had some issues (Amazon closed the account because they claimed the Mr had breached their terms & conditions) Last week the Mrs opened a sellers account to try and get rid of some unwanted books / Dvds etc. Whilst Amazon initially accepted the account they later shut it down because they realized that the Mrs is connected to the Mr (i.e same Surname & Address). They have also confiscated funds in the account for a period of 90 days. Surely this is wrong? what about the Mrs' human rights? My point is - If a man commits a crime (and acted alone) there would be no legal sanctions against his wife. Whats your opinions? I am going to help the Mrs compose a letter of complaint. Are their any laws I can quote?

Yyates, As an IFA he will be regulated by the financial services authority. Do a search here - FSA Register The FSA are very strict about advisers contacting people without their consent. Either report him to them, or if he calls again tell him that he does not have your consent to call and is in breach of the FSA's cold calling regulations. That should get rid!

Its our friends HFC (inhouse collections)

Wow, your name is familiar

Sarah, Try not to panic, these companies specialise in scare tactics. Follow Godmothers advice, put everything in writing and send recorded delivery. DO NOT SPEAK TO THEM ON THE PHONE. I have received more threats from DCA's than I care to remember. They are usually all talk and no action.

Lexii, you have a Private message

Hi Slim Best start a new thread on this, & btw try not to speak to them on the phone.

Got a phone call from " debt litigation services " today at 8am on the dot! Computerized voice asking for me to "press 1 if you are mr ******" , "press 2 if you are not mr *****" I just hung up the phone. Any idea who this could be?

Yes, all my HFC stuff was enforceable

Rory - They have told me that they will put it in writing if I accept. Goldlady - Its so frustrating, these companys seem to have different rules for different people.

Hi Goldlady, I have sent you a PM

I will send it off tomorrow HAK, no doubt they will just send me any old T&C's though. Just like Mint did.

Hi rory, An IVA is a no go for me I'm afraid (due to my occupation) I can afford it at a push, and besides I have 3 other creditors in my DMP who are well into default with CCA requests! 2 of them have just about admitted that they have no agreement at all So the money I had set aside for them can go towards MBNA. Not counting my chickens just yet though, it would be just my luck for them to suddenly find the agreements.

I'm currently trying to negotiate my own DMP, Its going ok but Clydesdale, Cahoot and MBNA are been swines. I have just spoken to one of MBNA's advisor's (I know its wrong but the letters were getting me nowhere) and it has left me with the following dilemma - They (MBNA) are my biggest creditor (£17,000 credit card balance) As part of my DMP I have offered £55 per month which they have refused and asked for £130 per month for 10yrs freezing interest and stopping charges. (they are not accepting some parts of my DMP) The adviser told me that if I don't pay the £130 per month the debt would be sold on to the highest bidder, who would then pursue me by what ever means. (ie through Court or their own DMP). I just don't know what to do - 1) Pay £130 per month for as long as I need to or 2) Risk the debt being sold on to a DCA and as they will have bought the debt cheaply they may accept a lower monthly payment but with the risk of Court / Charging orders etc I would be interested to hear what other people would do in this situation.

Cheers HAK & Paul, Will do

Thanks for all the input guy's. I think I should leave this one be, which is a shame because as I said they are been swines and refusing to accept my offer of pro- rata payment. I will just concentrate on my other creditors for the time being - BarclayCard - In default Lloyds TSB - In default NatWest - In default Mint - Sent application form Thanks again for your help

I guess that this is going to be a tough one to fight. If I remember correctly the agreement came in the form of an A4 booklet.