Drowning in Letters and Phone Calls

[northumbrian69]

Still waiting for our IVA proposal from Grant Thornton, it's been 5 weeks since we returned all our financial information to them, hopefully we will hear something soon[:-(][:-(][:-(]
In the meantime we are being 'blitzed' with phone calls and letters, we have written to every creditor, at least twice and we respond to all the phone messages left on the answer machine (ringer switched off), we tell them: proposing an IVA, have been advised not to pay any creditors, name of I.P. is Grant Thornton, reference- xxx, address- xxx, can you please put this information on your records. In fairness Egg and Lloyds TSB have complied even though Egg immediately sent a default notice, the rest just don't want to know, repeatedly asking for payments to be made.
Had a phone call at work today, on my company mobile,from a Debt Collection agency acting on behalf of MBNA, (they are the worst), I explained our financial position, going for an IVA, etc, etc, he replied, 'not interested in dealing with third parties, I want a payment off you now!!'
Is there anything we can do to get these people to back off until the Creditors Meeting, my wife is already being treated for depression, she is a nervous wreck and the phone calls at work are'nt doing a great lot for my confidence either.
Please share your experiences with us before we crack up completely[:(][:(]

[aguise]

Hi there I am no expert but have been through the same before my iva. Some companies are ok as you say but a lot of these call centre people are on a commission from any payments that they get. Just ignore them politely give them the info and if they persist just say you have given them all they need and you are going to terminate the call also check that they have noted that they have spoken to you so they should not ring again that day. If they ring work tell them that you are not allowed to receive private phonecalls at work. It should start to stop once your proposal reaches them.
I had huge amounts of calls off one company and in the end rang their customer services and complained that they were harrassing me and that they had the info they needed. I did this a few times and the calls stopped. Main thing dont let it get to you send your ip any letters etc and they can deal as necessary. I also had caller id so I knew when they were ringing and could ignore if I cjose to but most of the time I just rang back sometimes attack is the best form of defense, but do stay polite but firm. Hope this helps.
All the very best

[MelanieGiles]

Hi northumbrian

There is nothing that you can do in the meantime as IVA proposals do take some time to prepare. I suggest that you just unplug the telephone and continue to chase Grant Thornton for the proposals.

Aguise's practical advice is also very good.

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