Debt taken on by Sigma Red

[giftednskint]

Hi all, I've used the invaluable advice in threads from here a lot and huge thanks to people who post advice here

 

I really need help/advice about a latest debt-pass-along to a firm called Sigma Red.

 

I ran up the debt a couple of years ago or so with a bank. I had become unemployed after pregnancy (long story, bad/corrupt workplace, terrible life situation).

 

Moved house.

 

Debt collection people 'caught up' with me; various companies, the usual passing on of the debt to another firm when letters were unanswered, the usual companies discussed on here. The latest is Sigma Red; they say they're acting on behalf of bank. Have a scary CSA logo and dbsg at bottom which I dont like.

 

I'm worried they'll take me to court if they really are acting for their client.

 

Just don't know what to do. I'm in the support group of ESA with serious mental health issues so this letter is really affecting me with worry. I don't have a single bean to give them.

 

There's not a lot across the boards about these Sigma people, not that I've found in my panic anyway.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[nitelite2003]

as its a debt owed they have the night to take you to curt to get the money back as does each debt company however its always best to try and arrange something with them for repayment of the debt or the last resprt is they can take you to court for it. a friend of mine has recently had money taken from his benefit automatically from the dwp for a debt the company took him to court and was informed he was on benefit and the company them with the court order had money taken form his benefit as they can do this now

 

its always best to write them a letter offering an amount to pay and try pay it off that way they have to bank any payments from you by law even if its not what you agreed but call then or write to them as it will not go away

[unclebulgaria67]

They are the same as any other DCA. There are threads on CAG where they have issued a court claim. One was on where HSBC were involved.

 

Given your health issues, if a bank still own this debt, then you should perhaps let them know what your situation is and ask for their help. Then see what their response is. I would suggest that you don't contact Sigma Red until you have heard back from the bank.

 

If you are on benefits and have limited means to make payments, then sometimes making creditors aware of this is sensible. If you have health issues, then again sensible to let creditors know about this. If they don't know, then you can't expect them to not to hassle you for payment. Perhaps you can arrange to pay say £1 a month towards the debt and if you do that then they will leave you alone and not hassle you.

[citizenB]

as its a debt owed they have the night to take you to curt to get the money back as does each debt company however its always best to try and arrange something with them for repayment of the debt or the last resprt is they can take you to court for it. a friend of mine has recently had money taken from his benefit automatically from the dwp for a debt the company took him to court and was informed he was on benefit and the company them with the court order had money taken form his benefit as they can do this now

 

its always best to write them a letter offering an amount to pay and try pay it off that way they have to bank any payments from you by law even if its not what you agreed but call then or write to them as it will not go away

 

I wouldnt have thought that a DCA can arrange to take money for a consumer debt from benefits by way of the DWP ?

[nitelite2003]

well they have just done it to a friend of mine thought a court order

[nitelite2003]

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/other-specialists/eligible-loan-deductions/#how-works

[Guest]

[giftednskint]

So, are Sigma and these other DCA's "participating organisations from the not-for-profit sector such as credit unions and community development finance institutions. Organisations taking part are referred to as ‘lenders’ and have demonstrated to DWP that they meet approved responsible lending criteria." As stated on that link.

 

If so, this country is even more foooked than I ever possibly dreamed of.

 

I may be sick with worry but the idea of a DCA being a responsible not-for-profit organisation (or the bank who they claim to be acting for in the letter), made me laugh. But thanks for the advice nightlite

 

unclebulgaria67 >>> I just don't know who the debt is owned by. The previous DCAs did not say they were acting on behalf of the bank so I gained the impression that the bank had sold on the debt. This letter is a standard please pay the amount type wording. It also mentions that I may not be able to pay the amount in full so I could contact them to agree an affordable repayment scheme. I think one firm tried offering me a negotiated amount of one third off, which would have removed the banks extortionate charges they slapped onto the debt before they passed it on to the DCAs.

 

I just don't know whether to contact them or to stay silent. as I have thus far.

[citizenB]

Ok, you need to know if the debt has been properly assigned. Amend the letter attached below and send it off to the DCA - at least you will be able to establish the status of the debt.

 

 

I have attached both a pdf and a word document file for you.

 

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]42135[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]42136[/ATTACH]