American Express

[Max]

My husband received a letter to day from Amex saying they have referred his debt to a Collection Agency; he telephoned them and told them that twice he has written to them to tell them that Mrs Giles' firm is dealing with the matter as he is applying for an IVA. He was told that they have never heard of her firm, do not "do" IVAs, do not recognize them and will not accept "such things" anyway. They also told him he would be in very serious trouble if he did not pay the full amount including penalty charges as soon as demanded by their debt collection agency. This is a worry incase they commence legal action before Mrs Giles has completed her work. If is true that they do not accept IVAs that could cause my husband me some concern. Has anyone dealt with Amex and their apparent difficult attitude?J

[rayb]

Hi,

Just ignore them - they are trying to scare you in to paying something - Companies cannot just ignore IVA's as they will be bound to it regardless if you get the required percentage when the Creditors meeting is concluded.

Speak to Melanie - she will put your mind at rest

[David Mond]

Who was the Collection Agency?

[gord]

I think even Amex have to work within UK law and the 1986 Insolvency Act is a good start !!

Thats like me saying I dont do parking fines and dont recognise them

[kallis3]

Totally agree that they are just trying to scare you into making a payment.

Again, it is just a call centre, they have a set script and won't veer from it. The caller probably hasn't heard of Melanie.

In the unlikely event that they decided to commence proceedings (and it is extremely unlikely),then Melanie is able to take out an interim order which will halt proceedings until after the IVA meeting.

Don't worry, you're getting there.

[Max]

Mr Mond - they did not say. Jan, my husband said you are full of knowledge and support.J

[kallis3]

I do my best J.

You are in very good hands, and I am sure Melanie will be getting your proposal out to you soon. Once that is checked and back with her, it won't be long until a date is arranged.

As long as your IVA is approved, it doesn't matter how Amex vote as they will be bound by it, regardless of what they say.

[hara]

Dear elv5

I found Americah express to be very agressive and very quick i going to courts for a couty court judgement. In my case IVA came through before,possibly their lawyers obtaining a second charge on property.

I found the whole experiencw frightening.

Hara

[MelanieGiles]

They may have some problems within the collections call centre, but personally I find them one of the most commercial and helpful creditors poat-IVA.

[David Mond]

I find them the opposite Melanie - especially if they have appointed a well known frim of solicitor's from London beginning with "B"

Are you saying Melanie that they support everyone of your IVA's?

[whichwaynow]

I remember when I was setting up my IVA. I called all my creditors to let them know. Even though I had not missed any payments at that time to any of my creditors within 24 hours I had had a letter from a firm of solicitors beginning with a B telling me they were starting legal action. My IVA was approved before they could do anything else but they were the only creditor who voted against my IVA.
They do like to try and go for charges against your property quite quickly. IMO Amex are a horrid firm.

[hara]

Dear all,

I am sure it is the same sloicitors that tried to get through court and possibly get a charge order,despite knowing what was happening. But they managed to lodge in court and get a date for hearing.My IVA was approved a few days before I had to attend court.In the end I did not have to attend.

Despite that I understand it is cnsidered a CCJ.It is a strange despite there having been no hearing or a judgement.Something has to be done about this.

Hara.

[Max]

I was told by Amex when they first started calling that once it was sent to the Debt Collectors that is it - I pay or its Court. They repeated that they do not accept IVA.

[stirling]

I too had problems with Amex and funny enough they rejected my proposal.(They had to accept though)

[kallis3]

The call centres will all say that their company doesn't accept IVA's - it's all designed to bully you into making a payment.

The call centres have no influence whatsoever on how the voting goes at a creditor meeting.