Account in action

[jabbashouse]

Dear Members,

 

First off I would like to say thank you for having me here I finally might find the help I need.

 

I have an American Express card which I have been paying off the usual minimum amount each time I had received the monthly statement.

 

About a year ago or so I payed the full amount of the card back in one whole chunk, it was about £700.

 

Since that point I hadn't really used the card until I had my first child and then my (unknown) party started to use the card,

 

I never said no to the (unknown) party using the card to buy child things and so on.

 

Now though I cannot afford to repay the cards amount,

I did make an agreement with Amex to make a first payment of £31, which I did but as I am disabled I'm finding it very hard to make ends meet.

 

The relationship between my (unknown) party has finally finished and we broke up.

 

Today I get a text from Amex saying the following;

 

"Mr (blank) your account is being actioned today. I can only stop this if you call me at AIC immediately on my direct line 01412283036 Reference Amex".

 

What I would like is to know is what I should do now I'm not at all well and suffer from sever depression and I'm finding it very hard to even cope with this.

 

Thank you.

[dx100uk]

well firstly NEVER EVER ring a DCA

 

end of!

 

writing only.

 

have you ever looked at reclaiming PENALTY charges & p'haps mis-sold PPI?

 

if you've not got all your statements

i'd SAR amex.

 

lets get the true picture too

 

what does your CRA file say about this debt?

 

dx

[citizenB]

"Mr (blank) your account is being actioned today. I can only stop this if you call me at AIC immediately on my direct line 01412283036 Reference Amex".

 

 

Sounds really scary doesnt it? Their intention is to get you to telephone them. Which you are advised NOT to do. You want to keep all communication in writing.

 

Actioned : - What do they mean by this? Possibly that they will issue a default notice, if they have not already done so. Or they will send your account to a third party for collection.

 

What you need to do is send a letter to Amex advising that you have hit a financial hiccup and due to your circumstances, you are not in a position to repay the debt in the manner they would like.

 

You should (for your own information) sort out a budget sheet so you can see exactly how much you can comfortably afford to repay each month. Then ask them to freeze interest and charges .

 

Have a read of the following - maybe even contact one of the agencies mentioned. They will provide you with budget sheets/letters that you can send to your creditors. Alternatively we can help you do this.

 

If you are experiencing difficulty in repaying your debts, CASHflow is a way for you to negotiate affordable repayments with your creditors. Before you can use CASHflow, you must have spoken to one of the free advice agencies licensed to offer CASHflow to their clients. The advice agency will start by talking to you about all of the options available, and can help you to decide if CASHflow is the right one for you.

 

If you decide to use CASHflow, you will be provided with all of the tools you need to be able to complete your own financial statement and negotiate offers of repayment with creditors yourself. This will enable you to stay in control of your situation, but still have support from an adviser at any stage if you need it.

 

You can contact a local advice agency to check if they offer CASHflow. You can find a list of free advice agencies that are near to you by searching for a money adviser in England or Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

Alternatively, you can call National Debtline on 0808 808 4000

CASHflow: http://www.cashflow.uk.net/

National Debtline: http://www.nationaldebtline.co.u k/

https://www.mymoneysteps.org/

Also as highlighted in the CAG newsletter...

There is the new CAB system that might also be worth a look, this system saves all your details, has guidance allowance figures to work with if you wish and you do not need to be invited / signed off etc with this system, just log in and away you go (see below)

 

(Also, there are a number of other self help tools and systems around so might be worth a little exploration if this is what you eventually decide on.)

 

http://mymoney.nedcab.org.uk/moneyadvice/

 

http://mymoney.nedcab.org.uk/moneyadvice/ (example of completed dmp)

 

HTH

[jabbashouse]

Dear Members,

 

I wasn't expecting any kind of reply that quick, I'm very pleased and re-leaved that there is help out there. Thank you for such a prompt reply I shall keep you all inform as and when I write to them.

 

The card in question I have cut up so it cannot be used by the (unknown) party.

 

Thank you.

[citizenB]

Yes, please do keep us updated Smart move to cut the card up as well !!

[jabbashouse]

Dear Members,

 

Just an update, the DCA is called Newman & Company and I have just written a letter using the format on the National Debtline webpage

 

I will be sending that to them as recorded post.

 

1st letter - Hold Action on account template

 

This might be a stupid question but I take it I need to send this letter to the DCA and not Amex?

 

Also the only address I can find is the following;

 

Newman & Co Ltd

2 Limewood Way

Seacroft

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS14 1AB

 

I take it I send it here?

 

Thank you

Edited June 19, 2012 by jabbashouse

[citizenB]

Dear Members,

 

Just an update, the DCA is called Newman & Company and I have just written a letter using the format on the National Debtline webpage

 

I will be sending that to them as recorded post.

 

1st letter - Hold Action on account template

 

This might be a stupid question but i take it i need to send this letter to the DCA and not Amex?

 

Thank you

 

Wasnt it Amex who contacted you ?

 

You need to send the original to whoever has contacted you and copy it to the other one. Send the original letter by recorded mail and just obtain a free proof of posting for the copy

[jabbashouse]

Dear Members,

 

Originally it was Newman & Co DCA, but todays text had Amex at the end of it. It did say contact AIC but im not sure who AIC are.

 

So basically I should send the original to the DCA and a copy to Amex anyway? or just to Newman & Co Lmt DCA

 

Thank you.

[citizenB]

AIC are Allied International Credit UK Ltd. I am a little confused as to why there are 2 x DCAs pursuing this account. It is strictly a breach of OFT debt collection guidance !!

 

I would send your letter to Amex Head/Registered Office with a copy to AIC. Ok Leave Newman out of the equasion for now.

 

 

Allied International Credit (UK) Limited

Anderston House

389 Argyle Street

GLASGOW

G2 8LR

 

 

 

 

 

Newman & Co ..

2 Limewood Way

Seacroft

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS14 1AB

[jabbashouse]

Dear Member,

 

Thank you for replying to the post I made so quick and sorry for replying so late I was out all day with my daughter.

 

I shall send them both Amex and AIC the letter by recorded delivery also after that I shall request a SAR to Amex.

 

Should I inform Amex of their breach of OFC in the 1st stage letter titled

"Hold Action On Account", or should I wait to see what their response is to the 1st stage letter?

 

Thank you.

[citizenB]

Wait and see what their response is to your first contact

[jabbashouse]

Dear CitizenB,

 

Thank you so much for the reply, I shall today 21.06.2012 send the 1st stage letters. The original going to Amex and the copy going to AIC, I shall keep you all posted on the reply.

 

If I here nothing after the 28 days then I take it I should then file for the SAR? or should I go ahead and file for that anyway?

 

Thank you.

[citizenB]

It would be in your interests to request the SAR immediately. These banks have a habit of shredding stuff older than 6 years!! So the sooner you put your request in, the more you will get.

[jabbashouse]

Dear members,

 

I have still not heard anything from either company, so I'm starting to send off the SAR. I will keep you all posted .

 

Thank you