In trouble with debts due to illness

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Thank you scoobydoo, very much appreciated. I will get on the case and send some more letters off!

[scoobydoo]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

no probs.

Post up the letters if you want and someone will check them out.

[Amethyst]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Righty has just sent me this which I thought may be of interest to you

27-08-2008072548-1.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

That's very interesting, thank you for posting that. I will save a copy and file it for future reference, just in case.

I know I generally get 5-6 calls a day while I'm out at work, but my Mum is the only one here and answers the phone. Sometimes they will ask for me, sometimes they will just hang up on her (I guess automated system or just downright rude) but the same every day. Sometimes they will even phone up on a Sunday which I was quite suprised at.

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Well, things may be getting interesting.

Just returned to my desk at work to a missed call and answerphone message. A woman from Cahoot asked me to call her reference my letter on the 14th September (sent to my local MP, copied to local and national papers, local television, BBC Watchdog and my creditors) complaining about the service (or lack of) and brush off that I have recevied whilst off ill and unable to pay. The answerphone message said that "letters aren't the best way of doing things and they would like to speak to me. If I can't call back they will try again later and if there is an issue with me being able to call, they will call at a convenient time". I tend to disagree about the letters..

They've never been that helpful before, wonder what's up

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

And they just phoned again, must be eager to speak to me

[Amethyst]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Sounds like you are getting somewhere. Are you going to speak to them ?

[scoobydoo]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

There is probably no harm in speaking to them - just write down whatever they say then ask for time to think about the conversation. (whatever it is!)

Then take a deep breath and let us know what it is about.

Try to be non commital on the phone.If you dont like what they are saying - just state you would prefer to deal with matters in writing as you dont trust them!If it is good news get all the details and say you will get back to them with your comments.

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

I wasn't sure whether to speak to them or not, but scoobydoo's advice sounds good so I will follow that and see what happens.

I've decided to open a new spreadsheet on my computer and keep a diary of when I get phone calls and who from. I'll also ask my Mum to write down when people phone, even if it's not obvious who. I think I'll be suprised just how much they do bother me.

Got home to find a letter from Abbey (Cahoot parent company I assume) saying that they are going to look in to the complain about my mis-sold PPI, and want me to fill in a form with relevant details. Not sure what details they need more than I've told them already, but I will play their game for the time being.

Actually just thought that I'm not sure which letter they will be phoning up about today, as I sent three on the 14th Sept, one to the MP, TV, papers etc., one asking for a list of all charges for the account and one saying the account is in dispute because I wanted to investigate the charges and the mis-sold PPI. I'm guessing they rung because of the big complaint letter though, due to their manner on the phone.

[scoobydoo]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

What do you meanabout their manner? Did they sound aggressive or contrite?

I know it is hard on the phone as they can tie you up in knots - but it may be that they are trying to help you in which case it will be good.

If not you can always say "sorry I am finding your tone of voice threatening and I dont wish to continue this converstation "

Take deep breaths and keep calm and you may be surprised!

Best of luck

scooby (jan)

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Thanks Jan, great advice!
------------------------------- merged -------------------------------
Oh sorry, and her voice and manner in the voicemail message sounded reasonably nice and the most helpful I've heard them sound in a long time, such as saying if it was difficult for me then contact them and they would call me back.

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Ok, another day another letter

Got a letter from Abbey yesterday (Cahoot) with a form to fill in about my complaint over unfair selling of the PPI. I suspect I will have to humour them.

Haven't had a chance to call the number back yet that was left in my voicemail (been very busy with work) but had an e-mail today from Cahoot:

I would like to express my most sincere condolences for your current medical condition and would like to wish you a speedy recovery. I'm sorry that you don't feel that cahoot has provided you with sufficient support during this difficult time and that you are now experiencing difficulties in making payments to your account.

In light of the problems you have experienced and the current status of your account, I would recommend that you contact our Collections department on 0845 607 0004 who will be able to discuss your account with you and advise you of your options in this regard.

Please be assured I have carried out a full investigation for you. I hope you feel I have offered a fair response to all of the issues you raised. If you remain unhappy, you may refer your concerns to the Abbey Central Complaints Team within 8 weeks

I decided yesterday to write up a spreadsheet with my creditors listed and the letters I have sent them, on what date I sent and how long I should wait for a reply, so I can see at a glance where I am with each case and also what I need to do or wait for at the moment. Also included a section on when who calls me.

Interestingly, as opposed to the normal 5-6 calls during the day there was one call this morning before I went to work that hung up and Mum said no more during the day and she'd been in all day

Maybe they're getting the message!

[scoobydoo]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Hi

Any more news yet?

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Nothing exciting, couple of letters to Cahoot and just sent a charge reclaim letter to HBoS about a load of credit card charges.

Can't remember off the top of my head what the letters from Cahoot said. One was headed from Abbey about the complaint of mis-sold PPI, I think apologising for taking so long to reply and the other headed Cahoot saying that they were very sorry about my circumstances and could I call them to try and find a payment agreement minus my PPI charges each month.

I am still waiting to hear back about the charges on the account which I believe to be quite high.

[macca]

Re: In trouble with debts due to illness

Well, had a nice development yesterday!

I had a letter from Abbey regarding my Cahoot PPI. They have admitted that they mis-sold me the policy, have cancelled the policy as it's useless to me, offered to refund me and also add on top the interest which I asked for on the payments I have made. All I have to do is sign to accept in full and final payment and they'll send me a cheque.

They said in the letter that although I purchased it online and wasn't mis-advised by an advisor, they couldn't satisfy themselves that I had been properly imformed and therefore yes I shouldn't have been sold it. I was quite suprised!

Also had a letter from AA Credit Card offering me the difference of some of my charges inline with the OFT's advice about the £12 charge limit. It's not a lot, and would be a lot higher if I had all the charges back so I'm not sure whether to accept the offer or go for the whole lot now..