Creditors calling at Work

[shelbert]

How likely are creditors to call the workplace? My husband and I both work at the same place, and if they called as many times a day as what I've read some people at home have had, we'd probably be sacked! If I wrote to the creditors and asked them not to call work would they honour that? Or should we call them and say that our jobs have changed and give them false numbers? I know that sounds very bad, but we can't afford to get into trouble at work.[:I]

[lesley]

I asked my boss to block my calls at work I was allowed to keep my mobile with me for emergencies.

[Storm]

Work is normally the last point of contact

You can ask them not to call your place of work but they will continue if thats the only number they can contact you on.

If you need your creditors support in future - ie proposing an IVA or Debt Management I would not provide false contact information.

[shelbert]

You are right, thanks. I shall have to grin and bear it!!

[Storm]

A good option is to answer the phone at home or your mobile. Collectors will follow patterns ie: if they get to speak to you between say 6-7pm a couple of times they will normally ring between these times.

Alternatively be proactive - if you contact the creditor before they contact you... even if its just to give them an update you will move down the call Q's.

[MelanieGiles]

I still like Neverending's idea of calling them all once a day to put something on record. I know this is tedious, but it may stop any embarrassment at your workplace.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

For further details contact me at http://www.melaniegiles.com and view my IVA blog at: http://melaniegiles.blogs.iva.co.uk

[go_4_broke]

Hi shelbert

You could certainly give them false numbers but they are unlikely to believe you, and, presumably, they still have the real ones! It's a bit late for that one unfortunately.

As storm says you might get away with soaking up the flak by taking calls at home. However if this doesn't work you might need a more aggressive approach.

Also if your creditors can be trained to ring you at certain times they can also be trained not to ring you at all.

I'm a great believer in the latter approach: find out why by reading my Blog.

-Best



Please view my blog at www.go4broke.blogs.iva.co.uk

'6 years sticking my head into the Lion's mouth of debt !'

[Aaron]

I kept getting calls at work from Morgan Stanley, and I just kept telling them I would call them later...in the end I just contacted them and told them I was going through the IVA process...calls soon stopped and they got in contact with my IP.

[London Coool]

I was getting pestering phone calls at work from AMEX and HFC Bank.I was advised to call them up to remove my Office number from their list and ask them to call my Home/Mobile numbers instead.(On AMEX I went to my profile on their website to delete my office number) I called them and put them on the defensive that they were endangering my job with their calls and that I may seek legal redress if as a result of their calls I lose my job. They were very apologetic and stopped calling. Also, when you pick up their calls they have to identify you by first asking security questions, if you dont answer they can't proceed with the phone call.
MORAL OF THE STORY:Never give your work number on credit applications

[go_4_broke]

MORAL OF THE STORY:Never give your work number on credit applications

You are sooooooo right there !! Unfortunately for a lot of people they already will have.

Also, when you pick up their calls they have to identify you by first asking security questions, if you dont answer they can't proceed with the phone call.

Another good point and also very easy to get out of, e.g.

Caller: Can I have your date of birth please ?

You: And how do I know who YOU are exactly ??

Personally I think calling people at work is a clear case of harassment under the Admin of Justice Act 1970

A person commits an offence if. . . he harasses the other with demands for payment which, in respect of their frequency or the manner or occasion of making any such demand. . . are calculated to subject him. . .to alarm, distress or humiliation'

I would advocate sending a standard 'harassment' letter in this situation detailing the above. Even if you do it verbally it seems to have the desired effect as described above. The creditors know they are treading on dodgy ground here.

-Best

Please view my blog at www.go4broke.blogs.iva.co.uk

'6 years sticking my head into the Lion's mouth of debt !'

[gimmewine]

My standard reply used to be "I'm sorry, I have someone with me, can you ring back later". Then, no matter what the reply was, "That's great, thank you" and hang up.