Credit Solutions- Help needed

[Wethers82]

No, I originally told Egg that I was awaiting settlement with another bank, but that was before the matter was passed to CS. I didn't expect Egg to wait for my payment(s) but I kept them up-to-date with the situation. I was aware that they had to pass it on to CS after a certain period of missed payments. Yes I do genuinely owe Egg money but I'm asking CS to delay calls until I've recieved my response to my SAR letter from EGG.

[tiglet]

Wethers, i think you are being absolutely fair. also, how do you know what charges Egg ahve added until you receive the SAR?

 

Here's the link to the sticky 1. Data Protection Act, Subject Access Request letter - List of charges

[Wethers82]

Cheers Tig, I just hope things go well from here.

 

I already sent the SAR letter to them, thats where they sent me a letter yesterday(or the day before) informing me that they have recieved my request and they were going to process it, although they believe the charges are just and fair. I don't expect them to owe me very much as I've only had the card little over a year. But I hope this slows them down and makes them open to negotiation, such as regular affordable payments, which is what I intended to do in the first place.

 

I should be recieving my court date regarding my claim from my LTSB soon.

[tiglet]

You won't know until you look whethers - however, as you concede you will owe at least some of the debt, do you feel you could pay them anything until the matter is resolved?

[zak_allen]

...

[Wethers82]

well I keep trying to pay whatever I can but I recently informed them I wouldnt be making any payments until my request (SAR) was processed and a response was recieved. However, I think I'll inform them- when I contact them later today- that I'm going to make regular affordable payments as and when I can. If they try to tell me they want the full payment I will tell them 'I'm not asking to negotiate'.. I'm informing them of how I intend to pay back the money owed. After all, its that or nothing.

[Jeff2000]

All they sent in the letter was a reference number and my name. But their name is all over the letter so the person who is reading it can clearly see that a letter from Credit Solutions is regarding debt. Surely the fact that a debt-collection company are informing another person that they need to contact me show's that I'm in debt and therefore breaches data protection?

 

is the OFT the 'Office of Fair Trading'? what is the TS? and where can i find there telephone numbers?

 

I recieved a call from CS today and when they informed me who they were I told them 'You've recieved my letter and you are fully aware of the circumstances, until this dispute is resolved I'm not willing to discuss anything about my outstanding debt, goodbye'. Then I hung up.

 

Where can i find the template for Harassing Phonecalls? because I've warned them briefly in my earlier letters and they still have ignored my request/warning.

 

Hello Wethers82,

 

Yes, they have a right to collect a debt. How often are they calling you? If you do not wish them to contact you by telephone, then write to them and tell them (politely) so. Do tell them however, that you are quite willing to communicate in writing.

 

If after receiving your request, they still telephone you, then send the harassment letter.

 

Here:

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/37006-harassment-telephone-response-letter.html

 

 

Cheers, Jeff.

[Wethers82]

Thanks Jeff, I'll keep that letter handy.

I phoned CS about an hour ago as they tried to contact me earlier. They asked me the usual stuff such as when I'd be clearing the oustanding debt. I took a deep breath before I spoke and was careful not to go off in auto-defense mode , then I told the advisor 'I would not be able to pay it off in full' and that 'I'd be making payments as often as I can'. I also informed her that it was the only way I could afford to pay off this debt and at least by me doing that it shows inent to clear the balance owed. I said that despite informing them, with the copy of my SAR letter sent to Egg that I wouldn't be making any payment, I had decided to make payments whilst my dispute with Egg was ongoing. I said my next payment would be in the next 5days and would be of upto X amount. Then I finally told her that the continuos phonecalls must stop otherwise I'll be forced to contact OFT and TS to inform them of the oppressive phonecalls.

 

She was lost for words! finally! CREDIT SOLUTION WERE LOST FOR WORDS!

 

She then closed the call with a 'ok....thanks for the call...goodbye' in a rather disappointed tone. I couldn't believe that she made no attempt to argue the case with me like they usually do!

 

I feel quite triumphant right now and satisfied. Lets just hope this is a sign of good things to come!

 

Any other advice you can give me I'd appreciate. Thanks guys!

[Jeff2000]

Hi again,

 

 

They are at last beginning to realise that people will no longer stand for intimidation and rudeness. They are also now aware that you are aware of your rights. This sometimes does leave them speechless!

 

It should keep them quiet for a while. If they start calling again, then it's time for that letter!

 

Good stuff!

 

Well done, Jeff.

[zak_allen]

good luck

[Wethers82]

Hi guys

there's more news. I'm currently really annoyed.

 

I phoned CS today to request a Bank Giro slip so I could make a next payment and I spoke to TWO different operators. I was told that since there is no agreement set up that I still needed to send them a copy of my income. I told them before and once again that I did not have the TIME to mess around working out my income as I have two job and one is self-employed.

 

The first lady was the usual ignorant, simple-minded idiot I've come to expect from Credit Solutions. She refused to send me out a BGC slip until I had send my statement in so then I went into making he aware of my rights and asking her to tell me if she thinks I'm wrong, she wouldn't answer my question and just kept saying 'bye' (shows the vocabulary you need to work at CS)

 

The second operator was nothing more than an obnoxious, dumb as a mule, moron called Tony. After going through the same story as I did with the lady before, he told me he wouldn't send me a Bank Giro slip out until I had sent a letter of my income in to them. I once again advised him that they won't get any money if they don't and he started telling me 'people will be sent to collect the money'. So I responded by notifying the operator that he would need court permission first, but he denied. He said 'we can send someone anytime, we could even send them now'. So, out of anger I said 'do it'.

 

I'm really wound up by how they can speak to people the way they do. Now I can't make any payment to them I'm at the end of my teather. Any ideas what I can do from here guys?

[tiglet]

Yup, send a cheque or postal order to them special or recorded delivery, stating what you will eb paying each month and why.

 

Re-iterate no phone calls due to harrassment and that all communication must be in writing.

 

And don't bother calling DCA's again, trust me, it's like banging your head off a brick wall - it's lovely when you stop;)

[Wethers82]

Thanks Tig, I'll do that.

 

One thing I forgot to mention about my call today, I informed the last guy that I don't want any phonecalls as they are oppressive and against the Administration of Justice Act. He tried to tell me that oppressive means 3 times day which actually made me chuckle. He totally denied that it was true and told me that I didn't know what I was talking about and I ought to look it up (pot calling the kettle...?)

 

Do you think I should send the oppressive phone calls letter?

[tiglet]

Why not? in for a penny, in for a pound ...

 

Seriously though, if you feel you have been harrassed/oppressed then send the letter. It is not up to this guy to tell you how you feel.

[Wethers82]

ok. I'll do that.

 

I was just thinking though, isn't there anything that can be done about the way they speak to you over the phone? We are supposed to be working with these people so we can clear outstanding debts, but how can we do that whilst they speak to us in such ignorant and threatening ways? couldn't The OFT or TS do anything about it?

[tiglet]

You would think so, but unless the call was recorded, it's your word against their's, i'm afraid. the best you could do would be to invest in some recording equipment and advise them you are recording every call or at the very least take contemporous notes.

 

They will speak to you like dirt - so simply don't speak to them, is the best advice.

 

If it's in writing, it can be dealt with with the high emotion associated with speaking with an idiot.

 

Try laughing at them instead of stressing - it works wonders!

[Wethers82]

Thanks again Tig, you're a big help

[buzby]

Don't see how - there would be so many variables it would be impossible for any benchmarks as to what is oppressive- it could be that for someone being called 3 times a week, others 15 times... it's usually easier to change your phone number temporarily. (Using BT Call Sign).

[Jeff2000]

Thanks Tig, I'll do that.

 

One thing I forgot to mention about my call today, I informed the last guy that I don't want any phonecalls as they are oppressive and against the Administration of Justice Act. He tried to tell me that oppressive means 3 times day which actually made me chuckle. He totally denied that it was true and told me that I didn't know what I was talking about and I ought to look it up (pot calling the kettle...?)

 

Do you think I should send the oppressive phone calls letter?

 

 

Hello Wethers82,

 

Yes, send the harassment letter!

 

You will find it in the templates section. Or go to the link in post number 32 in this thread!

 

Basically, follow everybody's advice here. No more phone calls, letters only.

Make sure you keep all the letters they send you.

 

Best wishes, Jeff.

[zak_allen]

About 'recording calls' instead of buying specialised equipment, you could just use loud speaker on your phone (if you have it) and record it using a normal tape player/recorder. As long as you get the sound quality right it should be sufficient I reckon.

[borisbeaver]

Hi guys

there's more news. I'm currently really annoyed.

 

I phoned CS today to request a Bank Giro slip so I could make a next payment and I spoke to TWO different operators. I was told that since there is no agreement set up that I still needed to send them a copy of my income. I told them before and once again that I did not have the TIME to mess around working out my income as I have two job and one is self-employed.

 

The first lady was the usual ignorant, simple-minded idiot I've come to expect from Credit Solutions. She refused to send me out a BGC slip until I had send my statement in so then I went into making he aware of my rights and asking her to tell me if she thinks I'm wrong, she wouldn't answer my question and just kept saying 'bye' (shows the vocabulary you need to work at CS)

 

The second operator was nothing more than an obnoxious, dumb as a mule, moron called Tony. After going through the same story as I did with the lady before, he told me he wouldn't send me a Bank Giro slip out until I had sent a letter of my income in to them. I once again advised him that they won't get any money if they don't and he started telling me 'people will be sent to collect the money'. So I responded by notifying the operator that he would need court permission first, but he denied. He said 'we can send someone anytime, we could even send them now'. So, out of anger I said 'do it'.

 

I'm really wound up by how they can speak to people the way they do. Now I can't make any payment to them I'm at the end of my teather. Any ideas what I can do from here guys?

 

CSL don't do bank giro slips, they are post office ones meaning you have to pay £1.99 (IIRC) per transaction on top of the amount you are paying.

 

You don't need a bank giro slip from CSL to pay them. Simply ask for the Sort Code and account number, plus the name of the bank.

 

Go to a branch of the bank and use a counter deposit slip. Put the sort code and account number in the boxes and the amount to pay. Also put your reference number on the slip. When you get to the cashier, make sure you ask him/her to quote the reference number on the transaction.

 

Cash payments go straight onto their system. Cheques take the usuall amount of time.

 

This means no direct debit or standing order, which could fail and you receive a penalty charge. You just have to remember to do it.

[zak_allen]

they don't give that info out

[Wethers82]

No, they won't give me those details either. As they said about the BGC slips, they are unwilling to send me them because they want a copy of my earnings so they can make an agreement. But why should I send them my earnings? I don't need someone looking at what I get paid and trying to tell me what they need to recieve every week/month. They don't know what I pay out each month and my monthly earnings change from month-to-month. Surely all they need to know is how much I can afford each month, the rest is non of their business.

[buzby]

Coudn't agree more. Tell them what you can afford, and that you are unable and unwilling tp provide additional personal information (as is your right).

[Wethers82]

I told them that Buz, but their response was 'well we won't send you out a payment slip then', which is stupid to say they want money from you yet they are not willing to work with you towards getting the money. It's pathetic.