Hi Scott Have you had a chance to look at anything yet? The situation now is that I have paid off the entire loan amount; it's just the charges remaining - £310.71. Any assistance would be very gratefully received. Thank you Phil

Hi Scott The telephone calls from Albion are being received at an alarming rate as are their demands for payment. I received another letter from them this morning demanding full payment immediately; they made no mention of the letter I sent to them. I realise you have given me more of your time than I have any right to expect but could I ask you to direct me to where I can find template letters regarding their charges. Surely they cannot charge me £25.00 for a letter and really expect me to pay it? I would really appreciate any help. Kindest regards Phil

Thanks for all the responses. Pretty much what I expected but still wanted to ask. Thank you.

Help Please!!! My wife's car was parked in our drive, untaxed. While we were deciding what to do with it, I used it to block in our trailer and prevent it being stolen. About 6 weeks ago, we suddenly had to use the trailer very quickly (I won't bore you with the reason). We moved the car out and got the trailer and off we went. We were only gone 1 hour maximum but returned to find a red ticket on the windscreen. It is headed "Police Warning Notice", "Vehicle Excise Duty". There is then a space to fill in the Reg number and the date of the 'offence'. The writing in both is totally illegible (I can only presume it is the carbon copy). On the bottom of the 'ticket' is a space for the date and signature. The signature is totally blank but the date has been filled in with pen (i.e. it's not a carbon copy, it's original). About 2 weeks later, I received a letter from the DVLA saying my car was seen in such and such a road and gave the date and time. They want a £149.00 fine. (I am disabled and unfit to work. My wife is, owing to the fact of our two young children and the benefits system also unable to work.) The date matches with the 'ticket' but the road name is ½ mile away! I wrote to the DVLA and asked for proof as there was no way it could have been my car seen in that location. They wrote back and changed the road name where it was seen and included a photocopy of part of the ticket. I, in turn, wrote back and explained the circumstances of the car being on the road, how long it was there (offering neighbours as witnesses) and also explained my personal circumstances and how such a large fine would effect us). This morning, they have replied saying that there is no reason to change their decision and I must pay by the 12th April. I have the option of taking this case to court. Given the fact that the original ticket is illegible and that they originally stated the wrong road, would I stand any chance of being successful in court? I really cannot afford to pay this fine. Any help/advice would be very gratefully received. Many thanks for reading this Phil

Hi Scott I have now received a reply from the Halifax/Intelligent Finance. As you guessed, it fobs off my complaint and states that all charges will remain on my account. It also states that the default notice will remain on my record with Credit Reference Agencies. Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed from here? I have received no reply to my letter to Albion and I must say that the phone calls appear to have stopped, at least for now!! Kindest regards Phil

Hi Scott. Albion are becoming very persistent with their phone calls and I have, therefore, drafted the following letter to them. Could you just cast your eye down it for me? I'd love to shout and swear but that won't get us anywhere!! Dear Sir/Madam Ref: Bank of Scotland A/C #: 8424112698624 I am in receipt of a letter from you dated 7th March 2010. I notice from the account number that you are working for Intelligent Finance and I also note that you are the “in house” collections department for Halifax/Bank of Scotland which own Intelligent Finance. As such, you are fully aware of the situation regarding Intelligent Finance and myself. However, for your benefit, I will state that I am in dispute with Intelligent Finance over charges that they have levied on my account. My payments to the account (less charges) are fully up to date and I am aware, as are you, that you cannot enforce your demand to have the account paid in full, whilst I am maintaining my payments. I do not discuss my financial affairs on the telephone. As such, I would ask that you cease and desist from calling my house morning, noon and night. Any communication between Intelligent Finance and myself will be conducted in writing. I am awaiting a reply from Intelligent Finance to my letter of the 12th March 2010 and following discussion with my legal advisor, I will be reverting, direct, to Intelligent Finance. Your involvement with my account at this stage is, therefore, as unnecessary as it is unwelcome. Yours faithfully I'd welcome any comments. Thank you so much Scott. Kindest regards Phil

Hi Scott Thank you so much for your advice and comfort. I took out the loan when I was fit and healthy and I'm now disabled and useless. There's nothing I can do to control the amount of money coming into the house which is so frustrating and humiliating; I almost feel as if Intelligent Finance are deliberately kicking me whilst I'm down! I'll be back in touch with you when I get a reply. Thank you so much again. Kindest regards Phil

Hi Scott That's marvellous. I'll get it in the post tomorrow. Do you think that I will have no further contact from "Albion"? I really don't want to push my luck with you; you are being so kind and helpful; but, what should I do about all these fees. I know it's not a huge amount of money but in my situation £5:00 is a lot of money!! Although I have maintained my loan payments at the agreed rate, they will have been appropriating them for their fees and charges thus making me in arrears. I'd be really grateful for some advice or help with this. Sorry for this. Kindest regards Phil

Hi Scott Thank you so much. I'll wait for you to contact me again. Sorry to keep pestering you. Kind regards Phil

Hi Scott Thank you so much for your reply. It is of great comfort to us to know that 'IF' cannot enforce this. Quite frankly, it scared the wits out of me and I have nearly hit the roof every time the phone has rung today. Just to clarify, do you want me to send the letter as it is or do you want me to wait until you have 'tweeked' it a bit? Once again, my sincere gratitude. I don't know how we can ever re-pay you. Kindest regards Phil

Hi Scott A development: Without warning, my entire account, including the remaining balance has been passed to "Albion Collections Ltd". I don't know how they can do this, I am not behind with my payments to the account and the only bit I am contesting are the charges. The letter arrived this morning but there was a phone message on my '1571' last night. I ignored it as I had no idea who "Albion" were. I am now getting very worried. I cannot afford to pay off the balance in one lump and my wife is terrified that these people could turn up at the door. Any advise would be very gratefully received. Kind regards Phil

Hi Scott The total charges, to date, are £297.95. I have been keeping a spreadsheet of the account since it opened and could send this to you by e-mail if that would help? My payment last month was one day late (due on the 17th, received by them on the 18th). On the 22nd, they put in an "Admin Arrears Charge" of £25.00. Once again, my sincere gratitude. Phil

Hi Scott Initially, I couldn't get any statement out of them. Then on 17th March 09, they sent a letter and statement: "From 1st Oct 2008 it has been a legal requirement for us to send you statements relating to your credit agreement. Your first statement will only show transactions from this date up to when it was sent and may cover a period of less than twelve months." Since then, I have received a number of statements covering the full term of the loan. Kind regards Phil

Hi Scott This morning, I received a photocopy of my original Credit Agreement and the Terms and Conditions (although the terms & conditions are very difficult to read down the left hand side). The Credit Agreement does contain my signature. I'm sorry to have to ask you more questions after you've been so helpful but is there anything I can do now? I suppose I accept their right to impose certain charges but the amount is ridiculous; £25.00 for basically pressing a button! I would be very grateful for any further assistance you could offer me. Kind regards 'Cindle'

Dear Scott Thank you very very much for your welcome and detailed answer. I have immediately written the letter you suggested and sent it as per your instructions. I can't pretend to understand what the effect of this letter will/might be but I'm sure it will all become clearer!? Perhaps I may contact you again when I get a response from them? Once again, my sincere thanks for your help. Kind regards "Cindle"