Mercers debt collection

[kitty]

Hi Buttercup,
I had Barclaycard as a creditor.
I first heard from Mercers about 2 to 3 months after starting the iva process.
As I didn't answer the phone much to creditors in the first month or so, I received a letter from them asking me to phone, which I did as the threst of doorstep collections worried me.
They were aware that I was trying for an iva, but asked me for a token £25, which I told them I couldn't pay (was told not to by my iva co. but yours may differ).
They did send another letter saying that a debt collector would pay me a visit, but this didn't happen, and when i posted on this forum, other people who were dealing with them said they hadn't had a visit either...so it seems to be scare tactics to make you pay.
As others have suggested, you should seek advice from your ip/iva co.
on how to deal with them.
Try not to worry, I'm sure they won't visit you, but I remember how spooked I was with this, so appreciate you must be feeling anxious at the moment.
Hope things move quickly for you and best of luck!
Kitty x

[buttercup]

Thanks Kitty

What really bothered me was the postcards displaying that I was in financial trouble & the postie spreading the gossip which he does.I have only told my best friend so my family do not know apart from my kids & hubby. So where I was hoping to help it all very quiet & pay up & shut up I can now see evryone who I did not want to know knowing and my hubby does quite a lot of work locally so it will not be nice. But lets face it they can not talk about me forever!
Really they should not send details on a postcard like that.

[kitty]

Hi Buttercup,
I didn't receive a postcard, I received a letter and it wasn't possible to see who it had come from.
Don't feel ashamed about your financial situation, I can guarantee that this feeling fades.
Anyway, I bet if you knew the ins and outs of everybody elses financial situation in the village, you would find that you are not the alone...the few people that I have told all know somebody in an iva, dmp, bankruptcy etc...it's really a lot more common than we think.
Chin up
Kitty x

[ianmillington]

Can I just reinforce what Kitty says:

Never be ashamed of attempting an IVA, whish is a highly responsible way of attempting to deal with your debt problem.

[Shining]

Any postcards I received re my debt situation always just stated please ring this number or similar nothing was disclosed on the post card, I'm sure they'd never be allowed to do that, I just forwarded everything received to IP and never made any token payments, rode it out until successful acceptance of IVA.

[buttercup]

thanks everyone as usual you have all been so re-assuring

[markss]

hi many thanks to all of you your replies were so informative. i think postcards surely is borderline with harrassment. my iva dfd just txt me to say my iva proposals have been sent for me to sign does any one know how long it will take for them to contact creditors etc?

[emma_t]

Buttercup/markss - I worried about this too as live in a very small village and the postman talks to everyone (don't think he would spread gossip though, just friendly[:)])

I had Mercers in regard to Barclaycard and they are VERY intimidating on the phone and compaired to my other creditors they were very aggressive.
The postcard only asks you to call a number. Don't worry it does not say in big red letters that you are in debt or anything like that[:)] Be prepared for them to be awful on the phone and you will need to be firm with them[}:)]

[markiboy]

Please don't panic. This time last year I had several letters per day saying how they were going to get money off me and call at my door. One, they have no powers of entry, unless they are a Baliff's and even then they can't force entry. I had at the time a great liaison person and I passed all my letters to her. I also informed each company that I was applying for a IVA and gave them their address. Apart from that hell of a company MOORCROFT!!! Everyone was fine. I changed my number which is free by BT and said that I was get harassment calls. I know some on this site may disagree but it worked for me and it was peace at last. It was the best thing I did (so far) in going into our IVA. Be strong and seek help here.

Markiboy

[emma_t]

Don't disagree with changing your number at all markiboy.

I provided ever creditor with my IP details and my mobile number but updated all their systems to my home fax line as I knew I would ot be able to cope with calls at home. Taking them on my mobile was bad enough and as it was a mobile if they were not listening to what I was saying or being rude somehow my signal would cut out[;)]

I tried my hardest to keep all creditors up to date of my situation, but there are only so many times you can repeat yourself and when they call more than once a day it is too much. Some of my creditors were fantastic (hsbc, John Lewis Credit card, rbs) but others ere appaling (morgan stanley/goldfish, barlaycard and amex)

I think you do what you need to do to be able to cope with your own personal situation[:)]

[aguise]

Just to add saying that they are sending somebody to your house happens quite a lot, it did to us. I rarely if ever have seen anyone say they turned up. I waited specifically to see them but no one came. If by chance they should just tell them you will only communicate via letter and refer them to your Ip. Dont worry hopefully not too much longer.

Ang

[buttercup]

Thanks for all your help. I have informed all creditors by writing then chcnged the number mainly due to the amount of silent calls day & night. Also it was the one thing my hubby asked me to do and I felt I owed him that.

[Soulgrowth]

Good for you Buttercup ... that should do the trick. It's very healthy psychologically to change one's telephone number, it can be a symbolic act of breaking with the past and making a fresh start. Hope you sleep better at night now [:)]

Debbie x

[angela18]

I really worry about the calls as well, haven't been too bad up to now, but I know will get worse. When ex left and I was struggling to pay my half of the debts Paragon Finance were quite abrupt. Which isn't what you want when you were left with a mortgage and a 3 yr old. Was quite scared to answer at times. Happily married now and have hubby to share burden so maybe this time I maybe a little stronger!! Paragon said I could pay half of payment when was single mother, they failed to tell me that all the payment was interest and was still adding interest on, so a loan for 10,000 over 7 year is now a debt of 11,500 11 year on.. Hence the IVA..

[Robbiecat]

I found that the most useful thing I could do with cards telling me that creditors were sending people around was to shred them and use them as litter in my ferret cage. It's amazing how much less intimidating they look covered in ferret poo!! [:D]

I've never once had someone follow up their little card with a visit, which is just as well because I don't think they'd appreciate having it handed back in its new and improved state!!

I have to add that I'm not a *complete* militant, but spent several years sticking my head in the sand about creditors and refusing to deal with things. I have, as a result, developed a very thick skin and complete indifference to their harrassment techniques!

RC