Debt collectors

[debtmountain]

Hi Everyone,

Just coming up shortly to being 3 months in Arrears so starting to get a couple of letters from Creditors threatening Doorstep Collection.

From reading on this Forum, I know that they don't always come out, but was wondering, if anyone knows, if they Do call and you are not in, Do they leave a Card to say they've been round? or do they just call again and again until they catch you in?

[Viki.W]

I don't really know debtmountain but I would think they would unless, as you say, they just carry on with their rounds and come back. Maybe someone else will know. X

[debtmountain]

Thanks Viki, Just curious really. I know when you had that mis-fortune, you were in. I suppose I'm just going through the panicky stage at the moment, just ignore me[:D]

[Viki.W]

Debmountain, I had lots of threats too but I had nearly six months of missed payments when they came out so I wouldn't worry.[:)] (I know that won't stop you worrying!) X

[Vincent Bond]

This is naturally a common concern, especially for homeowners and those who have children at home.

People do have different experiences with this, but the simple facts are that without a court order a bailiff cannot enter your home without your permission anyway.

A bailiff would only be able to get a court order once a county court judgement had been made and subsequently not been addressed by the debtor with some form of payment. The only exception to this are bailiffs appointed on behalf of the inland revenue for tax debts.

If your debt has not yet reached this stage it is unlikely you would have people at your door, though if someone in debt ignores the situation long enough it can happen.

If you do not have the money to pay them but you are looking into a debt plan of some sort, then you should of course not pay them. Eventually whoever is dealing with the creditor (beit an IP or debt management company) will get through to them and these threats/calls will stop.

Hang in there...

[Viki.W]

Vincent Bond, I had a debt collector out and I haven't had any county court judgements, Mercers were well aware I was going for an IVA so it's not just when you ignore your debt.

[Vincent Bond]

Hi Viki,

You are right it can happen, but the point i am making is that they cannot come into a person's home without a court order - hopefully a little reassuring...

The door collections can be very frightening as people are not sure what the collector is actually allowed to do. I think it is rather a draconian method and hardly likely to anything more than intimidate people.

[Viki.W]

Yes, I totally agree, I'm still terrified of someone else coming to the door, I think it's horrible and I can understand why people pay them just so they leave.

[ann.s]

So far we have only missed two payments to our creditors, but GE have sent letters to say they have now passed my hubby's debt to a collector, I have told GE that my hubby is away, we are not going BR till 8th Sept, my worry is I work all day and my son (16yr) is in the house, what would happen if he answered the door? He knows the situation but may answer the door by accident. Do they have the right to speak to him? or will they just go away til hubby gets back.

Ann

[MelanieGiles]

They will go away until your husband returns.

[ann.s]

Thanks for that Melanie, it has put my mind at rest.

[debtmountain]

Thanks Both for your replies, feel more reassured now[:)]

Sorry, just panicked a bit as received 2 letters from Mercers yesterday and a telephone call from them as well. Man I spoke to was quite aggressive in his manner and said unless I made a payment over the phone, then although they are fully aware of our situation, they couldn't stop someone calling. there is no way I would let anyone into House though if they did call[:)]

[TheMatrix]

Debt collectors and bailiffs are two different animals with different rights.

Debt collectors basically have no rights at all.

Bailiffs can only act on a county court order following a judgement and must gain peacefully entry first before they can come back later to remove goods.

[Adam Davies]

Hi
Companies use the threat of a home visit as they know that this scares the majority of people to death.Just remember,as Vincent Bond states,a debt collector has no legal right to enter your house or to remove your car,only a bailiff can do this [with a court order]
Regards

[size5]

Typical creditor tactic, debtmountain, please just refer it on to your provider and don't worry too much about it.

Regards.