www.iva.co.uk

Evening everyone, just wanted a little advice. I received my proposal paperwork this evening and all looks good. However today I received a call from HFC Bank - via a call centre from india...

I have not paid my month payment this month of £49 - I advised them I was currently looking at IVA with Debt lifeboat and they asked me to make a token payment - I advised that today I could not - due to the fact I have no money - they then went onto say if i didn't make a token payment I could not enter into an IVA. I tried explaining to them that I didn't have any money but he just kept saying you cannot enter into IVA without a token payment - in the end I hung up the phone!! Is what he said true? As I am only 1 month in arrears?

What you have been told is rubbish. You cannot make token payments to anyone whilst waiting to sort out your IVA as you would be seen to favour one company over another. This is just a scare tactic.

I am waiting for my creditors meeting and have made no payments this month at all - as advised by my IP. They can do nothing, especially as you are only 1 month in arrears.

HFC are known for their bullying tactics, I have had problems with them over the years.

Let your IP know and if they ring again, just tell them this is harrassment and that you are going for an IVA. Stand firm

Thank you kallis - I was worried when he said that - as I was only 1 month is arrears. I owe Halifax 17700 on a credit card and they dont chase me at all!!!

They'll say anything to get some extra money from you. Foreign call centres actually make it even funnier as once you stand your ground they have to divert from the script they have got.

Give them nothing hahaha

Most creditors tend to be the same. Obviously they have to try and recoup their money, but it is usually by trying to bully customers.
Can you screen your calls so you don't answer those nasty ones? Maybe subscribe to blocking certain numbers?

Once you have your meeting date set up, things will look better and you can start to get on with the rest of your life.

I know he just kept referring to his script which just annoyed me even more

Creditors will try any tactic to attempt to get some cash from their debtors. It's a pity that they resort to threats and lies, but hey, they want their money and if you haven't got any money, that's not going to stop them. I suggest if they contact you again, to tell them politely you are entering an IVA and calmly tell them goodbye. It may not stop them calling, but to get into argumentative conversations with them is the last thing you need at the moment. Take pride in the fact that you are sorting out your debt. [:)]
xx

I Will thanks x