My father passed away on Tuesday last week and we are totally devastated as you can imagine. Mum is in care as she has althzhiemers. Dad left a will which said that he wished his half of the house to be divided between my brother and I and obviously the half my mother owned would go towards her care under the asset rules. (i believe anything over £14,000 is used to pay for her care) We have since learned that mum and dad owned the house under a joint tennancy which means that dads share of the house doesnt become part of dads estate and passes to my mums sole ownership. The house needs to be sold in order to fund mums care and as her daughter it falls to me to do that however in order to do it i have to apply for a "public guardianship" which means that I have to pay a bond to protect mums finances and this is something like £500 (annually i believe) so in effect the government are wanting me to pay for the right and privialige to sell my parents home and then give them the money! To be honest there was barely enough to pay for the funeral so my brother and i have had to use our savings to do that and at this moment I dont even have £500. So my questions are: 1. what would happen if i just refused to deal with the sale of the house, would someone be appointed by the government to deal with it? 2. If mum was in care due to being sectioned and currently funded under section 117 of the mental health act, does that mean that she will be continued to be funded by the government? I know that this is a sticky one but dont know where to turn, unable to get appt with cab for weeks and really at the end of my tether. Dealing with the grief and organising funeral is bad enough but having all this over my head at the moment is making me ill. i just hope someone on here can help. Thanks Monx

Hi, how are you all? Been a long time, I know... Busy with this that and the proverbial... Have been reminded via various for a good while of how I love this whole site... Lots of you were here for me when I needed you most, for various reasons, but, particularly in 2010 and have remained very good friends... I do 'lurk' now an' then and have decided to do my best to do what this site taught me over many years Been side tracked by many things, good and bad... But I will always remember the support, friendships and knowledge gained within...xxx

Motorists could demand the refund of more than £100m in parking fines, after what experts described as an “explosive” tribunal ruling left local government traffic officials in “absolute panic”. Councils have handed over parking management to private companies, but in many instances have also asked them to handle any appeals against penalty charge notices (PCNs). This process is supposed to be handled by councils, partly because it would be a conflict of interest for a company to examine its own possible mistakes. The Traffic Penalty Tribunal is the second point of appeal and an adjudicator, Christopher Nicholls, has spelled out that council contractors must not be left to process PCN objections. His ruling stated: “I find that no reasonable local authority could have concluded this contract met the terms of its regulatory and public law duties.” As a result, 13 motorists in Gloucestershire were awarded their parking fines and costs after their initial appeals were turned down by the county council’s contractor, Apcoa. The motorists were repaid sums ranging from £42.50 to £155.67. The decision has widespread implications for people who may have been incorrectly fined. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/drivers-may-reclaim-millions-in-unfair-parking-fines-9746466.html

Have received the usual 'waste paper' NTK from Highview Parking, and have emailed them thus. Can't wait for this reply I wonder which I shall get?

Hi all Just thought I would introduce myself. I am not strictly a newbie as I was a registered member here back in 2007, when I successfully reclaimed £2500 in bank charges from the Halifax. I haven't had the need to return since and therefore I have forgotten my original login details and have had to register again! Anyway, I will always be indebted to the wonderful people on this site and the excellent advice, template letters etc that I used to great effect. I am here again on behalf of my mum who has a Halifax Ultimate Reward Current Account, which I believe was mis sold to her. After visiting her branch with her this morning I left feeling incensed and on a mission.... Not sure if I will get anywhere but I'm going to try. I'm off now to have a look around the forums for some help. Cheers and good luck everyone.

I have been reading this for a while and thought it was about time I joined so hello everyone and thanks for having me

Well, it seems I am having to face the onslaught that is known as signing on again. After the last debacle, I did what I vowed I would never do and went back on the lorrys. Back came the increased tiredness and stomach issues that went with it. Anyways, I have now accumulated too many points on my licence (very long story) and tomorrow I have to sign on again. At least it is a different jobcentre in a different town. (having to move to cheaper accommodation) Has anyone on here had any dealings with Bolton Jobcentre? What are they like? I already have a plan worked out since any job will require retraining for me. Have provisionally set up fork lift training through the learn direct scheme (have to do IT training first to get the funding. All I need is the jobcentre letter telling me I am getting paid then I can get the ball rolling) I've spent most of the morning trawling the forums and have saved some info and printed out some other items. I'm also not taking the risk of last time and have been out and bought a Dictaphone this morning as I intend to record all appointments. Wish me luck tomorrow

post in the DEBT COLLECTION INDUSTRY forum dx

Received Bulk centre claim form today re old tsb acct, general stuff though, ie, various dca been trying it on for a few year now ( since 2009) when I 1st joined. So in a nutshell whats the best way forward even tho I probs know what your gonna say. I never received the initial request for the section 78 back in 2009. Best way to respond please, this is for my partner who now is climbing the wall.. Mr

Hello, I am a new forum user needing help with house repossession please, thank you

I don't seem to be able to get through to Virgin that I just want a response by email to my simple query about why I've been charged for two landline calls that were in my allowance (never use it all up these days). I have received no response to this - just keep getting someone phoning me up, from abroad so the signal keeps coming and going, echoing on the line so every word I say is repeated, I cannot understand them half the time because of the poor line quality and that their regional accents are hard to understand. demanding the whole password and security answers, and completely ignoring what I say to them, which is not good enough. I have asked them to stop calling me, but they keep doing it - I've had to turn my phone off to get some peace last night and I don't see why I should pay to call CS to tell them they've made an error and ask for the overcharge to be refunded. And I'd like it in writing - so I have proof that they are going to refund it. Is there a rep here who can sort this out and get the bill corrected?

Just found this site from a Google search. I am having some issues with M&S Money at the present regarding a credit card that I took out circa April 2006. I will post all of the relevant information in that section but I am hoping somebody will be able to point me off in the right direction. Happy 2014 all

Well, after not hearing a peep from UKPC and all their entourage regarding a 'parking charge notice' from last year, they have woken up again. I have received a letter from them today after not receiving any of their threatening letters since January this year. They are wanting £150 of my hard earned cash within 14 days otherwise they will be passing my case to LPC Law.... whoever they are, and they will in turn 'consider' commencing court proceedings against me. They will also request that the court passes judgment for all legal expenses incurred.....!!! I am assuming I continue to ignore these fools. If it goes to court, I will defend it to the hilt, as I am NOT paying these people one penny of my hard earned cash for parking in a carpark that was free, did not have a ticket machine to display a ticket, and had a time limit of 2 hours, when I only parked there for SIX minutes What do you people think Thanks for your time.

Hello I would be grateful for some help with a debt. A while back I had a mobile phone contract with Three. Got into difficulties and started to repay the debt. This was contract no1. I recall receiving a marketing call from Three offering a sim card / possibly another contract with Three. I don't remember all the details as this was years ago but I think the offer was something like £30 a month plus any calls I make. This was all done via telephone and no paperwork was signed. Contract no2. A sim arrived but I never used it. I would occasionally receive letters from Three as well as various debt collectors which I ignored. I have now started to receive letters from Lowell and the are chasing over £600 from me for contract no2. Whilst I admit I should have sorted this out before it spiralled out of control, I am at a loss as to what I need to do. I cannot afford to pay £600. Incidentally this amount is still climbing - I am not sure if any of it are charges. All I know is that I never made a single call on the new sim. I would like to know what steps I should take to resolve this. Many thanks MBK

hi all i think i will be needing your help so let me start by aking where should i start my thread/question it is in relation to a major change made by my mortgage company without my knowledge or authority and the FOS thanks gfj

So my phone has been ringing at all hours of the day (see my petition thread) It's PRA / Mckenzie Hall. ive been called as early as 7:30 am and as late as 23:15. I dont answer withheld numbers, but they have started using spoofed local numbers. When i am able to, i answer the call. They always Mumble who they are so it is barely audible and then ask "For security" personal detail which i do not give out over the telephone. I know what the call is regarding as I took one of those 12 month semi payday loans, and when i tried to contact them a couple of weeks ago to rexolve the issue they informed me that they had "sold" the debt to mckenzie hall and would not be able to discuss the issue. I tried telling them that i would not discuss anything with Mckenzie hall due to their reputation of being bullyish and unreasonable but got much the same answer again. Anyway back on point. They keep calling, and i keep giving them the same answer, to which they always say "we will take your refusal to pass security as refusal to co-operate and thus will carry on collection proceedings" digression number 2. given that they are not allowed to pass any information to anyone other than "the account holder" and demand this information to discuss it, does it not seem odd that they then tell "whoever" they could actually be speaking to, that there are collection proceedings against the intended recipient? So why wont these tools just do what they are supposed to and send me a freaking letter, telling me how much i owe? I'm not even trying to get out of paying it. I fully acknowledge that i owe money and am willing to pay. Im just not dumb enough to give out my personal details to any tom, dick or harry that happens to ask for it over the phone. not really sure where to go with it now as i'm still getting calls and voicemails etc etc. This close to christmas, with emploment contracts waiting to be renewed, im in no frame of mind to deal with some dodgy debt collector who cant even send a letter.

Hello, Gentlemen, Gentlewomen... new user here. Ok... I have a pretty good idea what to do here, but I thought i`d post just in case you guys think different since my situation is slightly different. I know it`s probably bad, but from what i read here, but anyway... This is what you see when you order the bag: Sent my samsung S2 (in great condition, no scratches, not broken, in a case as well) off to cash4phones (without doing my normal check ) waited 2 weeks then decided to contact these guys to see if they`d received the phone. 26-11-13: i got a reply via email: Feeling better, but still a tad concerned. I checked your site recently last weekend and confirmed my worries with a sinking feeling... 02-12-13 Got this email: They told me they were checking my phone on the 26-11-13 and now they`re only just checking my phone on the 2-12-13! I may even have to wait 10 days before I get a result! I think what`s going to happen now is they will delay until the Christmas holiday and I`ll be lucky to see anything before February, if that! It all sends a very, very bad feeling. I intend to phone them asap and send a letter requesting my phone right back- forget dealing with them. I`ll probably have to pay postage. Is this a good plan? Just get the phone back fast and go elsewhere? thanks in advance.

Had a letter from CPP about claiming back mis-sold protection policies. They don't give specific details of which organisation sold you the policies,if at all,this comes when you make a claim. Now, if you already have an account with Lowell, which you have classed as time bared and refused to pay it, would a successful claim and rebate under the CPP scheme negate the time bar issue as you would have acknowledged the debt? I'm not claiming under the scheme. Cheers, Fallback.

Hi I will explain this as best I can as I really need help. The dwp brought a case against me in the criminal court saying I was not entitled to dla but this was thrown out of the court earlier this year fast forward to today I had an appeal hearing which was horrendous I took all my medical evidence and all other papers with me but, the judge was not interested in this at all. I was in such a state and felt as though I was in front of a lynch mob. The judge said if he finds in the dwp favour he could make me pay back the amount they were asking for at magistrates surely this cant be right when it was thrown out. The hearing had to be stopped this morning after 3 hours as I was so distressed and the new hearing will be in around 4 months from now. I am going to see my gp later today as I am worked up into such a state. The dwp were claiming I had an improvement in my condition 2yrs ago and I fought and won that at court but this morning the judge made me guilty and he has asked why the dwp did not go back to the date of my original claim which was another 3 years earlier. He has asked for the paers from then to be brought to the next hearing. What will happen if I cant face the next hearing for the appeal and was not to turn up as the way I feel at the minute I don`t think I could go through this again. Also can they really make mepay the money back when the magistrates through it out of court? Any help would be appreciated. A

Hello Good to have come across your forum...... A wonderful resource for consumers......

Firstly, this post is NOT intended to condone shoplifting. It's to protect people from somewhat rogue security officers/retail profit protection colleagues from abusing their positions. Theft is theft and if you comply peacefully, you'll most than likely end up in a better position than running. People steal for all sorts of reasons, sometimes it's an accident (You forget you have an item in your hand), compulsion, to make ends meet etc. The fact is, if you remove an item with the intention of permanantly depriving the rightful owner of it - It's theft. If you forget to pay, use self scan and make an effort to scan it but it doesn't register or a cashier doesn't scan an item, it is not theft. If you find yourself stopped for shop lifting, there are various rules that the civilian making the stop has to follow. This does not count if you've been stopped by police. Remember, a Profit Protection Colleague, Security Officer or any body else other than the police have only the same rights as you or me. They have to see a certain set of instances known as "SCONE". S - Selection of the item. (i.e, approaching a shelf empty handed, picking the item up). C - Concealment (Putting the item in a bag, coat, whatever) O - Observation (They have to watch you consistantly. If their vision is broken at any time, they shouldn't make a stop) N - Non payment (Going beyond the last point of payment in store - This is your last chance to make your name clean by paying or making an excuse at the checkout) E - Exit (Leaving the store completely past all points of payment with no intention of returning immediately) If YOU believe that any of the above have not been followed, seen and recorded mentally by the officer who is observing you, YOU have every right to put the item down and leave the store. If the company in question offers you a banning notice, you can do as you please with your excuse. More than likely, if you've made it to the last point and bailed, it's more than likely that you were going to remove the item from them. If you've left the store without the item and the security officer stops you, politely tell the officer that you simply did not want the item and have put it down. You do not wish to discuss it further. At this point, you are free to go, whatever he says as without SCONE, the officer hasn't seen an indictable offence take place. If you've left the store without paying for an item, security/colleagues should be polite and courteous. In the case of contract officers, this is worth their license to them. Once they've politely reqeusted you return to the store, they SHOULD inform you; "I am employed by XXX to protect profits. I have seen you remove an item from this premises without permission and therefore I am detaining you under Section One of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned, something which you may later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be noted and used in evidence. Do you understand?" The Security Officer will have to explain it if you do not understand. If you inform him you don't understand what he's just said, he should give it to you straight. If he says "Tough, you're coming with me" or similar, you've got a point of complaint. If he does not read you a caution, it doesn't mean that the citizens arrest is null, it means that you can say to him what you please and it will be less credible. Bear in mind, a lack of a caution can work two ways. Security Officers generally have the final say in what course of action to take; If that means you can negotiate with the officer and store representitive, all the better. There's no harm, just as if your kid breaks a neighbours window with a football; Theres not often reason for police involvement. It's a civil matter until the police arrive. If the word shoplifter/thief etc is used, remind them that YOU are innocent until proven guilty, just as YOU are entitled to leave at any time. Remember, civil matter. If they withold the right to use the toilet, drink water or be comfortably warm/dry/cool etc, they have removed your liberty as a citizen. Now, the police can be called or negotiations can be made. If you're pleasant, inform them of ANY genuine reasons that you've stolen/removed items without payment and comply with their request to come quietly to the office, you'll get off on the right foot. Negotiations can be made. Hell, if you're in hardship with three kids and abusive husband (for example), I've offered bags to take the goods away (minus the £35.00 turkey the woman had hidden in her babies "Cosy toes" foot warmer - I'm not THAT nice!!). If the police are called, remember, you've got the right to plead your case. There is discretion in it all. You can be remorseful and pleasant, or you can kick off. If you kick off and smack the person stopping you, you'll get CHARGED for two offences - For definate. There'll be no negotiations and you may be made more uncomfortable than somebody who is compliant. The rest is elimentery. Your rights; There's the right to pursue a false arrest claim if the person making the stop detains you and wont release you even though you've no goods on board or SCONE has not been followed. Remember however, the police CAN stop you and search you AND most towns have CCTV and WILL track you. Remember, if you've not got the goods on board at point of exit, you are NOT committing an offence. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to make notes of what is happening and you have the right to leave - They can NOT lock you in a room or physically restrain you unless you are violent. You have the right to water, toilet facilities and fresh air if available. Nobody can remove your liberty and not allow you the right to water and certain drinks if you suffer from diabetes etc - As long as you're paying, of course! You have the right to ask questions. However, these should be limited and always as "Alleged". You have the right to give the goods back in a saleable condition and negotiate. You have the right to dump goods at the last point of exit if a security officer/store detective is watching you. NOBODY (aside from the law) has the right to search you, remove items from you or look in bags/coats/buggy's etc Remember, unless the goods leave the doors, you are NOT a thief. If you're stopped without having goods on board, the best thing you can do is comply. It's embarassing for the shop, it will ensure an investigation by the SIA (If relevant) and will enable you to complain and potentially reap the rewards for 10 minutes of your time. I've known people get £205 worth of shopping refunded AND £50 gift voucher because an officer stopped them without seeing SCONE. By complaining, you are ensuring that other people will not have to endure the same treatment. The store will complain to the relevant people, the officer will be disgraced and retrained as required. But please, if you're really desperate, take a crisis loan from the job centre and pay for the goods rightfully. Borrow from friends and family or go without. There is nothing worse for us than catching somebody who clearly doesn't want to steal. We're there to stop the big gangs (Booze thiefs, Chewing Gum thiefs, Refund [problem]mers etc). We DO NOT want to be dealing with somebody who is trying to make ends meet. We're not all bad people and as referred to above, are known to turn a blind eye in certain cases; It doesn't happen always and we can't all be the same. End of the day, don't steal. It can end up wrecking your life. This isn't a guide to tell you how to do it, but to avoid becoming a criminal. Yukiko.

I've been embroiled in a fairly lengthy dispute with my landlord. There were serious ongoing repair issues that had been going on for four years. More recently I fell into rent arrears. To cut a very long story short, the landlord doesn't want to fix the disrepair (even though the disrepair makes the flat not really suitable for anybody to live in). He just wants me out. His solicitor has sent me a draft agreement to sign which states that the landlord will write off my arrears and agree never to bring any court claim against me in future, as long as I also agree not to bring any disrepair claim against the landlord. On the surface of it the agreement looks OK but it would be great if anybody here who knows about these things could look it over for me. Thanks in advance

Hello I am starting to help my son with a Nationwide issue. I see from the "successes" thread that the last post there was in 2010. Has anyone had any results with Nationwide since then? Please let me know. thanks t

Hi please can someone tell me where i post about buying a pizza online and they gave it to someone in the street who said they were me?? Thanks

I have been following the threads relating to PE and have been expecting court papers which arrived today. I have read the draft defence posted by steampowered on 21/5/13 on 'Newbie court paprers received' thread and figure this would be sufficient for my reply at this stage. Any further advice?