Avoiding the Debt Collector?
If you have had some bad experiences with debt collectors and want to avoid this happening again, the best thing to do is to make regular payments on your debt to avoid the dreaded knock from the one person you would rather not see. If debt collectors are knocking on your door, it could be time you seeked a serious debt solution, like an IVA or Bankruptcy.
If the worst does come to the worst and you find yourself on the other end of a debt collectors knock, it may be worth reading on to find out if your worst enemy is abiding by the rules whilst carrying out his dastardly deeds.
If the collector is becoming persistent in his visits and is causing your family or yourself considerable stress, he is breaking the Protection from Harassment Act of 1997. Harassment can be determined, if the collector is bullying you into paying your debt with threats of imprisonment. Another form of harassment can be identified if the collector takes on the persona of a bailiff or knocks on the doors of other houses in your neighbourhood to seek further information about you.
Some debt collectors have even gone one step further and send clients extremely abusive letters threatening them with bankruptcy when the entirety of the debt is under £750 and is ineligible for this type of action. Others have warned that they will keep making a nuisance of themselves until the debt has been resolved.
If you are being menaced by a debt collector and some of the instances above are occurring, report this matter to the police as it could be the collector who may find himself on the wrong end of the law, rather than you.
Make a point of never seeing a debt collector again. Seek professional debt advice and solutions so as in future, you are the one in control.
For large debts that don't seem to disapear no matter how many payments you keep making, it may be time for a serious debt solution. A professional debt advisor can let you know if a debt management plan, IVA, or even bankruptcy, is a sensible option for you.
IVA and Bankruptcy News posted on 20/08/2007 09:58:59
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