MacKenzie Hall just -tried- to ring. Preparation for the next phase.

[LuckyReds]

Was stupid and took out a Wonga loan to get through a dodgy month about 18 months ago; according to my credit file the original balance was £205. It defaulted at £450~. Wonga passed this on to Moorcroft whom sent a few letters, tried to ring, gave up and went quiet. (This was around 9 months ago)

 

Well, I've just had a missed call (or did at 0812) from a number that is registered as MacKenzie Hall. They've tried to leave a message but I know it's going to be a computer voice telling me to ring them, so I haven't even bothered listening to it yet. I'm fairly sure this is going to be about the above account though.

 

I've done a little research and can see these are unscrupulous turds. There's a thread in this very sub-forum for around 2 weeks ago where someone has uploaded their threat-o-gram, and I'm trying to get a feel for how MH work. I'm just musing at the moment but:

 

1. Threatening to issue new defaults (and actually doing so)
   I wouldn't mind them doing this; as I'm not trying to gain any credit - and were they to try this I would fight to have it removed and would demand financial redress. Would also make a nice complaint to the OFT/ICO.
   
2. Adding a whole lot of interest
   This is a bit of an issue; I don't mind paying what I originally borrowed (£200) - but I refuse to pay for any of their trumped up charges or fees.
   
3. Using "Meritforce" (?) as a doorstep collector
   I know they have no powers, but living in a block of flats it not only has the potential to be embarassing - I also don't live alone, and refuse to allow them to subject anyone else to their idiocy.
   
4. Harassing phonecalls
   Meh. At one point I was getting around 15+ phonecalls a day from 3 or 4 companies, this isn't anything I'm unable to ignore!
   

 

Considering this, after they make first contact proper, I assume it may be a good idea to inform them that:

• All correspondence should be kept in writing (be it electronic or hard)
  
• there is no convenient time for a doorstep collection, any attempt to send someone will be taken as a form of harassment and the police will be called
  

 

Now this very debt is my last one, and it's one I would love to see cleared off - even though it's been defaulted already and it's from a PDL; it would mean quite a lot to see the £0 on my credit file. However, I object to paying off their interest fees and other charges - I honestly do not mind paying off what I actually owed. (Even though it does leave a bad taste in my mouth knowing that even if I paid off what I owe that will be primarily be profit for these crooks - but if that's the price I pay for a £0 and some satisfaction then be it.) Is there anyway I can pre-empt their exuberant fees, bearing in mind this account has indeed defaulted 18 months previously?

 

Lastly, I'm also aware that they have a nasty penchant for refusing payment plans - I remember from previous dealings with another DCA (Cougar.) that simply quoting the OFT guidelines for the collection of debts, there was a good bit in there about accepting payments, and it got them to shut up. I'd be looking at £60-£75 p/month, which I think is actually a very good offer. Knowing they don't like to be told how much they can have though, am I right in saying that only a court can order a breakdown of incomings/outgoings? (Sneakily, when I paid Robinson Way £150 and told them they would have £75 the next month - for an account totaling £225, they asked me to complete paperwork to "ensure you are able to afford these payments".. ignored obviously.)

Now forgive the brain dump here; I'm just planning where to go next. Have I missed anything, or is there anything I should know about the pondlife who will be harassing me over the coming weeks?

[renegadeimp]

Regarding I&e forms, simply give them a simplified budget summary and not a fully comprehensive form. They have to accept it then.

[LuckyReds]

Regarding I&e forms, simply give them a simplified budget summary and not a fully comprehensive form. They have to accept it then.

 

Do I have to provide them with anything though? If I make an offer to pay, and I think even a court would agree that if I pay £60+ a month it's a fair amount for a debt that is relatively small amount* at £400~, then surely they can't say "No, we wont accept that money until you give us an insight in to your personal finances."?

 

Essentially I'd be offering them payment that I can afford comfortably, will shift the debt off in a reasonable timeframe without any undue stress on my part. Whereas I fear I could give them more information and they could really push to cause me hassle, I guess in reality I just don't want to give them anything I don't have too - not just money, but information about myself.

 

*I say for a relatively small amount, but I'm still concerned that they're going to add lots of fees and interest on from what I've read about these guys. In fact, the more I've read the more I'm considering fighting them and seeing just what they have - they do seem like one of the ****miest DCA's around.

[renegadeimp]

You dont have to if you dont want to, but it goes a long way to showing your circumstances and willingness to pay what you can afford.

 

Watch out with mucky hall. They are well known for their tricks and ignorance of guidance and regulation. So much so, that their local trading standards has an officer that specifically deals with them.

[Nao]

Do I have to provide them with anything though? If I make an offer to pay, and I think even a court would agree that if I pay £60+ a month it's a fair amount for a debt that is relatively small amount* at £400~, then surely they can't say "No, we wont accept that money until you give us an insight in to your personal finances."?

 

They have to accept the money you pay them towards the debt regardless if they agreed to the payment plan you suggested.

 

However, first you need to get them to give you a detailed breakdown of what you allegedly owe in writing, then you have to challenge each and every penny above what is actually owed and make it perfectly clear to them that they will not get a penny until the amount actually owed is confirmed in writing.