How are you making the payments? What type of borrowing was it? A credit card? The usual advice around here is: o do not talk to them on the phone - everything to be done in writing; o don't use direct debits - standing orders are better as they put you in control. Mike

Well done for standing up to the guy on the phone! When I used to take the calls I always felt like the world was going to fall in on me - I'm sure it is a deliberate tactic. A|s they can't talk to you if you haven't passed the security questions, simply decline to answer them and state once that all communication should be in writing. Then hangup if the monkey keeps talking. Regards, Mike

ODC: Regards, Mike

They are here: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/letter-templates/ The CCA letter is in relation to section s 77/78 of the consumer credit act. You use it with credit card and loans to find out whether the credit company has a signed copy of all original agreement. The SAR letter is a request for *everything* the company has on you. You use this to find out if they have the original agreement and the amount of interest / charges they have applied to your account. There is a CPR 16.?? route as well, but I haven't been down that one yet. Your circumstances will have a bearing on which letter to use. Regards, Mike

Hi NuttyBlond, I have an account with virgin/mbna. I got into difficulties earlier in the year and they set MRA debt collectors on to me. Off all the DCAs I've delat with, and its only a few so far, these are the worst bunch of lying sh1tebags I've dealt with. In fact their attitude caused me to search and I found this place. I feel more in control over my finances now than ever. Get the CCA requests off PDQ and see what they reply with. I haven't paid a penny to them since before Christmas - so there really is no reason to panic. Golden rules around here which you'll pick up, if you haven't already: o don't talk to them on the phone; o don't sign your letters to them; and o use postal orders not cheques. Regards, Mike

Don't use a d/d - they can vary how much they take and may take more than they should. You may be able to get it back, but it would be a fight and hassle you could do without. A payment book and cash at you bank may be a little hassle, but keeps you completely in control. Regards, Mike

That's great - thanks guys. Regards, Mike

In this post: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collection-industry/177224-credit-agreement-copy.html#post1914181 cadencealex says Please can someone explain why a default has this effect? The reason I ask is that Cap1 have been *very* quick to issue a default notice after either 1) sending a dodgy CCA; or 2) receiving my letter stating the account is in despute as they had failde to send a CCA. (The dates were very close). Thanks for your help, Mike

I checked a couple of recorded deliveries on royal mail track and trace. I've also had some where there are no signatures pictures at all and one where the track and trace says the letter is still at the post office that I sent it from. Are these any use at all as proof of delivery? Regards, Mike

Hehe

If they ever come round my place, they'll have to face 'er indoors! lol

Its their Leeds office - check it out on google street view. They have an ad around the front looking for new monkeys. http://tinyurl.com/dhuop8

Do these count as doorsteps? (Lowells back entrance.)

will sign later (when there are more people on, so I'm less traceable). Mike

That's great - i've gpot three of these going off tomorrow - and they're all finished in time to watch The Noisettes on Later ... with Jools. I'm not sure which I'm most excited about lol Regards, Mike

Thanks - what about the first paragraph? Is it just a matter of removing the "consequently" and changing the full-stop to a comma to make it read right? Regards, Mike

Cerberus, there seems to be some inconsistencies in these two paragraphs of your oft-posted template. In the first paragraph, the As... goes nowhere. Should it? In the second, you mention 21 days at the beginning and 14 near the end. Which should it be? Can we choose either? Thanks and regards, Mike

The letter template here: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general-debt-issues/20758-creditors-dcas-letter-templates.html#post162367 uses the phrase "true copy". Is this then wrong? Mike

I sent a few CCA requests off - I'm waiting nervously - 12 + 2 days is a long time! lol

I have been musing on this, too. Also, do they send you a cheque of the reclaimed charges, or simply reduce the balance on the account by the amount? Thanks, Mike

I was in the same boat as you - the "why not to use..." thread seemed a bit hardcore for my first letters, so I sent the standard letter (I'm about half way through the 12+2 period) with the plan on going the other route if needed. I'm still comfortable with this approach - give it a few weeks and I may change my mind, though. HTH, Mike

There is this template letter to ask them to stop calling you: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/letter-templates/131250-dca-creditor-harassment-telephone.html That would be a start. When they called you did they go through security questions? I have decided that I will not talk to debt collection agencies on the phone as it puts me in a weaker position than them - and I get emotional (read angry) when they don't listen to me. So, I don't answer their security questions and just tell them that everything must be done in writing. If I have to tell them more than once I hang up. (Mostly, though, I just ignore their calls). Since reading this part of the forum I have felt much more in control of my situation. Do spend some time reading around - I'm sure you will feel better about your situation, too. Regards, Mike

I'm quite new to this, but isn't the text supposed to say "CREDIT CARD AGREEMENT ..." Mike

I think that Hopeful1 was meaning that you send off a CCA request - when (if) you get a CCA copy returned to you, you scan it and post it on here. Then some of the experts here will advise as to whether they think it enforceable or not. With no charge. Regards, Mike

Thanks