jefferson hobbs and integrity both sent me letters

[andrea1968]

jefferson hobbs and integrity both sent me letters which i received this morning.Both companies claimed i may have been mis-sold my iva.Really gets my back up when these companies think i dont know my own mind.I know i havent been mis-sold anything and wouldnt be dumb enough to sign away 6 years without knowing what i am letting myself in for.We have been on the insolvency register since October so is it just coincidence that these letters came on the same day??
Anyway enjoyed ringing them both and asking them exactly what information they hold on me and hubby-which is only what they found on the register.Anyone being able to read this is scandalous as these people talk to you like they know your personal circumstances.
Wasnt much on the telly this afternoon anyway so managed to waste an hour arguing with them!!!
I am surprised these firms get away with some of their statements they make when writing to you-basically trying to tell you youve been ripped off!!!
I know if i worked for or owned an iva company i wouldnt be very happy with some of the statements they come out with!!!

[kallis3]

I've never had two letters on the same day from different firms! I do agree that it is scandalous and they do try and get these firms shut down, but for each one you stop, another couple will spring up in their place.

Sadly, there are people who believe the claims and can end up even worse off than they are now.

Anyone in trouble with their IVA should try and sort it out with their IP initially. If anything needs to be done, it can be done without paying money to any of these firms.

[Foggy]

Jefferson Hobbs and Integrity aren't words that you would normally associate.

[leaKybrain]

LOL foggy, good one.

And yay for andrea arguing with them. thats exactly what I would do.

[Broke of London]

If you haven't already ripped them to shreds, you should send them to the OFT and the Advertising Standards Authority. These people are brilliant at making a desperate situation worse and f all else. They are nothing but scoundrels and need to be shut down.

[andrea1968]

I agree everyone-the worrying thing is the letters look so professional its not surprising some people may fall for the scam-its very condescending of them to presume we dont understand our ivas.Jefferson Hobbs tried the *did you sign up for any credit before 2007* scam where they say if creditors cannot produce original loan agreement its invalid-yeh right!!!
Integrity said they could arrange a 3 hour visit to let us know about the options that ips never tell us about because they wouldnt make any money-well i wonder if their services are free!!!
I must admit i was polite to both companies but firm-knowledge is power and being an avid reader of this forum i was forewarned and forearmed!!!!
Another thing - where does data protection come into this-why should these people be able to retrieve my information and even give me a reference number on the details they hold on me?

[andrea1968]

Just to add-both individuals i spoke to sounded like a dodgy geezer from the local bookies you would avoid like the plague!!!

[Broke of London]

There are a few people who managed to wipe out their debts using the 2007/ lost contract loophole but it is being closed up now - it's tantamount to stealing and definitely not a legit way to solve your problems.

I think because we consent to our data being in the public domain, it can be used as these companies wish until we tell them otherwise. If we request our information is removed from their system and opt out of future contact, they must respect this.

[kallis3]

Anyone who gets any of these letters should send them to Size5 who works for Cleardebt. His boss, David Mond, has been instrumental in getting some of them shut down and he does his best to do it to the rest as well.

As to it taking a three hour visit - how long does it take to explain bankruptcy and DMP? Both of these will have been explained to you prior to your IVA. It would just have been a high pressure sales pitch and you may well have had trouble getting them to accept a 'not interested' and leave!

[leaKybrain]

I'd forgotten about size5 dealing with these. Will remember to keep them safe as and when the letters do arrive I'll make sure they go to him. thanks for the reminder Jan.

[size5]

The more the merrier everyone, my details are in the experts section if you wish to forward anything on to me.

Regards.

[kallis3]

It looks as though they are all coming out of the woodwork again!

[leaKybrain]

like the little worms they are!!!

Thanks mike will send as any come my way, after I've replied of course LOL

[shrewsburydebt]

Seems like the letters have ruffled a few feathers...
The letters are marketing letters that are completley ok and legal and are not doing anything wrong. They do not actaully say that 'you have been mis-sold' an IVA do they?
If you read them properly they use the word 'may'.
Integrity are a very well respected company of which come recommended by the OFT. They also work with some very well known companies like RSM Tenon who actually respect and admire what they do. If they were doing something wrong then they would have been ticked off long ago. However they are not and have helped many people become debt free. If people take the time to look at their site they will see that offer all of the UK's debt solutions including IVA's.
One thing to point out from them is that they actually physically sit down with their customers and look at their individual debt situation, something which most 'other' companies do not do, how many companies do you know that will come and sit in your own home and do that? I suspect the answer to that is not many at all...
Like 'other' companies they charge a few but everything they do is fully regulated and correct.
So before people start to moan and whinge about marketing letters, isn't it just best that people do their research first and find out who they are before slagging them off?
This industry is very competitive, but as long as people get the right advice and help then thats what matters.
There will always be companies that send letters out to people, or send marketing texts or make marketing calls, most like Integrity are genuine and regulated.
On forums like this they will always be put down, but times are changing and so are peoples finances and awarness of how they can become debt free.
I think I have made some valid points here regarding the topic and I appreciate that there will be replies to this post of mine that will with no doubt disagree, and I welcome them.

I am a debt advisor, *company details removed* I'm not a member of the public who has been through a debt solution and thinks that because of that it qualifies them to give debt advice.
This is a good forum and it gives good advice, keep up the good work.

[kallis3]

Nobody has said that they are illegal - and I will argue that you cannot know anyones situation just by taking their name from a register and it is highly unlikely that they will have been missold an IVA.

A reputable IVA company will go through all the options available to you and make sure that you know what you are signing up to.

Any problems with an IVA should firstly be addressed by the IP to see if there is a problem, otherwise I see no reason why the IVA cannot continue until completion.

Whilst I admire you for coming on here to post, I'm afraid you haven't convinced me and I'm quite happy to let my IVA continue as it is, as I suspect the vast majority of posters on here will also tell you.