Stop debt collection phone calls and visits!
By Value hunter on Feb 7, 2010 | In Money chat, Frugal wars, Frugal victories
I was reading Average Joe's blog today and the question was asked about companies who you owe money to ringing you at work, on mobiles, etc.
The solution is quite simple:
Write to the company, politely, inform them that as from the date you write, all correspondance must be IN WRITING ONLY!
Under the Administration of Justice Act 1972 - telephone calls and doorstep visits by any company, who have been instructed in writing to cease them, are illegal.
A legal case is one that is against the law, and as such, should the company continue to call you on the telephone or visit your home, you have a legal case for walking into your local police station and bringing charges against them.
What money companies do not inform you about, is that to trade in their field, they require a consumer credit license, if they are found to be breaking the law, they can be deemed unfit to hold a consumer credit license and as such, be prevented from trading.
This includes debt collection agencies and high street banks and building societies!
Another benefit of only being contacted in writing, is that the companies tend to be careful what they say to you. If it is in wiriting, their advisors cannot flout the law and lead you up the garden path, also they have to keep accurate account notes. I have lost count of how many times that I have contacted a company and then found days later that nothing of what has been said or promised has been put on the customer's records.
Sometimes, I have found that the call has not even been recorded!
Anything in writing can be used before a magistrate in your defence (unless it has "without prejudice" written on the top), so it maybe a long winded process, but it can protect you.
Under the Administration of Justice Act 1972, phone calls and doorstep visits are considered to be "Harrassment of a would be debtor."
Send the company concerned a letter, by recorded delivery and after a week or so, all telephone calls and doorstep visits will stop.
Of course it won't sort out any of your problems, but it will make your life a little less stressful!
Good luck.
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