Our IVA was approved two weeks ago and we changed our phone number to stop the harrasing phone calls. However this week MBNA have somehow obtained our new number and keep ringing.
We have told them that the IVA is approved but they said they will keep ringing until their system updates with this info.
They've now started ringing hubby at work, he is so embarrased. What my main concern is how on earth have they obtained our new number when we are ex-directory?
Hi Missy
This is unfortunate and something that is very annoying. Im not sure how did could have obtained your number but you should advise them that you will make a complaint if they continue to harass both you and your husband.
Its not uncommon for calls to continue for a few weeks post IVA entrance as creditor systems need to be updated.
How have they got the new number? That's awful! They've been my worst too.
Yesterday they called - I told them the date of my creditors meeting and the guy said "Have you discussed all the options? Because IVAs rarely work out well and then you'll find it impossible to be made bankrupt, the courts hate them" I don't really feel his advice is helpful, not when it's a really difficult decision to make in the first place!
Your husband can instruct them to remove his work number from their system. I eventually told them that anything more than a weekly phone call would be considered harrasment and i would be contacting the relevent body. I also made sure that i knew exactly who i was talking to and that they updated their systems, even to the extent of making them read what they had written back to me. I also researched IVA's and bankruptcy and challenged them when they come out with various 'incorrect' information.
You should not be intimidated by these people, they will try all sorts of lies and deceit to get a payment from you, which is all they care about. You can also write to them and instruct that you do not wish to be contacted by telephone. There is an OFT guide to how they have to behave which you can google and download. If you have any problems contact your IP.
I had hell with MBNA for 3 months after my IVA was approved, calls at home, calls at work, they even rang my mum as i was registered at that address 2 years prior to my IVA for a short time, i lodged a formal complaint as the guy who called my mum disclosed some sensitive data about my debts with them etc, as you can immagine i was angry and embarrassed!!
Phone thier customer serviceas and complain and also ensure everytime they call you take a name of the person calling, that comes in very handy!!!
I hope it settles down for you very soon!
best wishes
Arty
)O(
IVA completion and certificate received 08/10/2012!!!
Oh i look forward to dealing with MBNA, (not) I've 2 x debts with them and in my place of employment, we get paged over the PA system if there's a call for us, it has already started and now i just say to others that there's two people with the same name here lol. goodluck to you
toolbox wrote:
Oh i look forward to dealing with MBNA, (not) I've 2 x debts with them and in my place of employment, we get paged over the PA system if there's a call for us, it has already started and now i just say to others that there's two people with the same name here lol. goodluck to you
Can you not ask the person to screen all your calls hun? Maybe speak to your manager and the person who does the PA and give then a list of approved people who can ring you at work who you can be paged over the PA system to speak to!
Arty
IVA completion and certificate received 08/10/2012!!!
MBNA aren't they great! (please detect the hint of sarcasm in that statement) They've been a nightmare, most of my creditors have been really good, once I've told them I'm having an IVA drawn up they've put the account on hold and MBNA said they'd do the same, however the account being on 'hold' doesn't seem to mean that the constant phone calls stop, they've called 3-4 times a day for weeks at first I refused to answer as I'd given them as much info as I could and going over it time and time again seemed pointless, I then went through a stage where I'd answer the calls and go through the same blurb over and over again 'setting up an IVA can't make a token payment as I can't be seen to favour one creditor over another etc.etc.' After 5 or six time of doing this over a 3 day period I decided enough as enough and that their calls would be ignored. However I've now answered any calls I've got because I'm having my IP meeting today and I can tell them something new. Once the message has been given once I'll not give it again. Like Sprowstonboy said at the end of the day they're just trying, by hook or by crook, to get a payment out of you, it's just frustrating that they don't seem to listen. I'm quite fortunate that we changed our telephone number at home when we first decided to go for an IVA and even more fortunate that at work they had a new telephone system installed 2+ years ago that meant the number changed so no calls at work for me - unless they google it and the majority of the results still come up with the old number! Glad to see our place is quick to update their website!
MBNA called us numerous times a day even after our IVA was accepted. I'd answer the phone and inform them thathe was working until 9.30pm and yet they still called. We unplugged the phone for peace until 9 when the call centre closes!! Hang in there - the message will get through.
This is a disgrace - and must not be allowed to happen. Let me have the details of the person calling you next time, and I will lodge an official complaint.
Also thank you to everyone else for your comments, we feel less alone on this now.
We have changed over to Talk Talk from Sky and Talk Talk confirm that they do not give out customers' numbers so we are at a loss as to where they have got hold of our new number.
Barclaycard are one of the other creditors who keep calling both of us. The lady who called me asked me to make the minimum payment even though I have entered into an IVA. I asked her if she understood what that meant, she said yes but still persisted!
I think these phone calls are now bordering on harrassment as they are not happy with calling you once a day it now has to be several times a day.
It makes you wonder sometimes if companies like barclays & mbna should be reported to the programme rogue traders as their making peoples lives a misery
You have my sincerest sympathy with MBNA, they are a complete and utter disgrace to be honest, they kept phoning my 78 yr old mother on the home phone number (which I never gave them, fortunately she is aware of the IVA and is very clued up on these things god bless her, in fact she figured out what I needed to do before I did!) but it was becoming very irritating and annoying and did not want her bothered anymore with it, I kept getting the phonecalls on my mobile (another number which I did not give them) as well which you cannot return, I explained things when they phoned again, and again etc... until I wrote them a nice letter with details of everything and have not heard a peep since. Do not let them get to you, just take the lead on it and stick it to them instead, mind they are associated with Santander, and do not get me started on them [:)]
I would insist on another number change, at their expense. You've not passed the number on to MBNA so they should not have been able to get hold of the number.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Hi
As I have said before on this forum, MBNA were the worst for me, they phoned and texted me endlessly. Also they kept trying to get me to have a secured loan. I received default notices and statements for about 6 months after my Iva was approved. Fortunately they have sold my debt on so hopefully it is the end of them.
Linda
