Urgent help needed, Metropolitan collection agency may have tricked me!

[gregdedman]

Hi there everyone,

 

I know its late but hope someone is awake and can give me a little advice.

I had a £2000 debt with HSBC, passed to Metropolitan collection services and communications began.

I researched other people's advice to get written communications and take details of any phone contact.

 

Mid September I offered £500 as a full and final settlement figure, which they accepted via a letter from them, dated 18th September giving me a deadline of 15th September!! Of course, making it impossible to pay.

I called and they realised the error.

They said they would have to extend the offer.

I called back several days later and they confirmed the offer was extended until the 25th, so I paid the original £500 and clarified that is was a full and final settlement.

They agreed, and explained that my file would be marked as partially satisfied.

 

I paid over the phone, got the receipt number and requested a confirmation through the post.

 

Nothing!

So I called tonight, and the agent said that my balance was £1500 (after my £500) payment, that the account was under 'investigation' and that her system was shutting down at 9pm so would have to call in the morning.

 

Am I worrying unecessarily or have they totally robbed me of £500 and used it to pay off just £500 0f that £2000 after agreeing that it was to be a full and final settlement figure?

 

Please someone help, its going to be a looooong night!

[padja]

unfortunately you fell for the old trick, its common one. Way forward what was the figure for a loan, overdraft? if its a loan was there any PPI? Overdraft what charges were applied? I must admit I'm not 100% on bank charges etc but others will be along dont worry

[gregdedman]

Hiya, it was for a credit card I couldn't keep payments up on after they hiked my APR.

I could only afford token payments until the taxman gave a me the £500 present which I used to pay Metro off.

[Conniff]

Mid September I offered £500 as a Full and final settlement figure, which they accepted via a letter from them

 

Are the words 'in full and final settlement' included in that letter ?

[gregdedman]

'We confirm we are prepared to accept £500 in settlement of this account'.

'you can make payment immediately by phoning xxxxxxx'

[dx100uk]

spoofed blind sadly

caught by the oldest trick in the dca's book.........

 

how old was this debt?

 

bet it either sb'ed or all charges & ppi anyhow

which is why the op passed it on.

 

who name is against the debt on your cra?

 

if you paid by card, do a chargeback

 

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/visa-debit-chargeback/

 

dx

[gregdedman]

Thanks everyone, Im not sure what all your abreviations mean but ill look into the chargeback option.

 

Thanks again