I just had a call from Additions (Littlewoods etc, I owe them approx £300) I explained I was having an IVA proposed for me, and offered her my IP's details; she put me on hold for ages, then came back and said she would take the details. I gave her my caseworkers name and when I offered the direct line number, she said no - additions were not allowed to phone my IP/Caseworker until I had provided them with a reference number and that until I did she would continue to ring me. I said that I had signed the 'authority to act form' which gave my caseworker permission to speak about my account she follwed this by saying that I was supposed to make token payments under the rules. I did tell her this was untrue and that I was not paying because I had just cleared prioty debts and could not afford to pay all my creditors a token payment (explaining I could not favour one over another) and she got a bit funny, said she would keep phoning...so I hung up!......could of just been coincidence but as I hung up, two minutes later the phone rang, I answered and who ever it was hung up - googled the number and it comesup as 'Littlewoods'[V]
Had over tweleve phonecalls today...only two of them were not from creditors so feeling a bit frazzled!
Unfortunately the calls will continue. Not sure when you get a reference number.
It's usually the ones who are owed the least who call the most.
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
Thanks Jan, totally aware the calls and charges will continue, just wondered when I get the ref number and if this was simply another ploy to scare me....which it didn't[}:)][:D] Additions aren't my favourite people after last year I spent weeks trying to get them to understand they had charged me twice for an item, and they were charging me interest on both!
First you have done the right thing. The reference number you speak of should be with any documentation you have from the firm you have contacted, if not call them and explain that you need one.
As far as those horrible people chasing you.... I wrote to them all outlining what I was doing and informing them that I would not do any telephone calls but would respond to any email or letters at all times.
I then got a new pay as you go mobile and gave this out to all my contacts and family.
I never had any issues with bad telephone calls and then just waited for the IP to get my IVA.
I did get a few cards informing me someone was going to call but I just threw them away!!!
Thanks ashb, they can call all they like. Ive just sent them a letter to. Had a letter from Capitol One today as well saying if I didn't pay the outstanding arrears I would be liable for the full amount and if I didn't pay this one of their agents would call to my house![V]
I've also had this with capital one, asking for a reference number. When I said i didn't have one, they said they wouldn't "recognise" the contact details of my I.P. Mind you, they haven't called again since! I'm also with Melanie.
Yes Lesley im with Melanie and team, and wouldn't change that for the world....reference numbers or not!! Im not too bothered, just wanted to know if you got one as standard and at what point - they can keep ringing, im sorting my debts out and im proud about it(as I am sure we all are), so they can lump it, they will be sorted soon enough one way or another [:D]
Thanks Lou74, Im thinking this was just another pushy person trying to scare me - I understand I owe them money but im trying to pay back as much as I can by doing this! [:)]
We don't use reference numbers, my clients are human beings with actual first and last names, addresses and post codes. What point is there in allocating a reference number on top of all of that readily identifiable information I wonder.
Next time they ask make one up if you like - anything to stop these pests pestering, when they know rightly what is happening as I have told them!
Exactly what I just said to Marcus!, Ive told them all now over five times now, been pleasent and patient.... and sent letters.....will dream up a ref number now hehe!
Joking aside, im not changing my phone number, let them call I say, they will get alot more back from me if im doing this way than if I wasn't!