Barclays Collections and Recoveries

[blfamily]

I am being pestered by 0845 3004275. Calls started on 8 February and I have been ignoring the number since they leave no message. On 10 February I receive a letter from Barclays Collections & Recoveries, PO Box 362 Manchester, who claim I have gone back on an agreement to repay arrears of a loan (LOL) I haven't even got an arrangement to go back on! Oddley the number on the letter is 0845 3000 442 and not the number that rings me.

 

All this started in June 06 when a call centre rep refused a overdraft increase; offering a new loan to replace one I had started 18mth previous. This loan turned out to be a lesser amount at higher interest, this was cancelled, but they ignored the cancelation request - I finally got the original loan re instated, but then they started to take payments from the Barclays account, when I had moved to another bank. Causing more problems, the Standing Order cancelled itself and I started getting calls from the above number asking for money, but the amount they asked for was based on the wrong loan. A helpful employee tried to put things right and my complaint via Retail Banking Customer Relations dragged on, so I missed payments in October and December. In December the SO set itself up again!! without my knowledge, this was after I told them the correct bank to take the loan from!!. Fortunately Customer Relations saw this and refunded the £35 charge and sent me a standing order mandate to give to my new bank. This I have done.

 

Now the letter I have from Collections quotes the wrong loan repayment amount - I have written to them and copied to Retail Customer relations as they are after more money than they should be because they are likely to be charging me to much interest.

 

I just wonder how long this is going to take?

Should I pay part of the amount asked for or hold fire until I know the full amount?

Can I get the arrears wiped out as the bank is at fault through not sending a Standing Order Mandate, once they reinstated the old loan?

[blfamily]

Bump

[Mike220359]

Right since this appears to be an internal mix up rather than you asking for the refund of monies, I would suggest that you take up Barclays' internal complaints mechansim, which they have to give you. But you must specifically ask that the complaints mehanism is invoked. If you are not happy with the outcome then report the matter to the Ombudsman once Barclays arrive at the failure to agree mechanism. Once you give the Ombudsman all the facts he/she will come to a binding decision on both of you.

 

From the facts that you describe it seems pretty staright forward, it won't cost you apenny but it will cost Barclays for the refferal.

 

Mike

[blfamily]

Thanks Mike.

 

I'll see what happens, they should get the letters tomorrow.

 

Had 2 calls tonight from the 0845 number (it is logged on caller display now!) and first call was one ring, second call two rings! I have had phone calls outside the opening times quoted on the letter - ie after 7pm week nights and after 1pm Saturday, plus calls on Sunday.

[Driftingpheonix]

cant you write to them threating legal action for stress caused by the harrassment and needing time off cause of it

[Driftingpheonix]

if i remeber isnt this why some kid commited suicide once before?

[blfamily]

Well I'm not going to do that!

They called tonight at 8.30pm! Barclays ringing when they are shut?

Anyone know if it IS Barclays or a company acting in ther behalf?

[blfamily]

update - no call yesterday.fingers crossed.

[blfamily]

But Barclays have apologised.

[megabee123]

Barclays collections department are open (for outbound calls) 8am-9pm during the week and 9am-6pm on Saturdays. The opening hours quoted on the letter apply only to the inbound call centre ie if you decide to ring them in response to the letter... And yes, it is Barclays themselves ringing, not an external company.