A DCA Writes

[Riz]

Re: A DCA Writes

Oh and the above is only ever going to improve if the vast majority of DCAs change their ways. Just a few acting on their own won't help.

That either has to be via formal regulation. OFT/FCA etc.

Or via self regulation.

Since the authorities can't cope with that, it can only really be by say compulsory membership of something like the CSA in order to be granted a license. Then that trade association has to grow some balls and enforce good conduct.

[kilasuit]

Re: A DCA Writes

have a decent email service as snail mail takes too long

[Riz]

Re: A DCA Writes

They have an appalling reputation which discourages even people willing to pay from engaging with them.

Get their own house in order in the way they operate and people will be more willing to communicate.

For example....

- Only make daft threats when they actually intend to carry them through.

You get a "threatogram" through the post, and the first reaction of many is to Google it and the end up on a site like here and on CAG, LB, etc where they discover that the vast majority of the threats are empty. So obviously some people decide from that decide to play the percentages and ignore.

By conducting business in the way they do, they do themselves and those debtors who may mistakenly ignore a great harm. They are shooting themselves in the foot by not moving with the times and opertating in a pseudo (or blatantly) dishonest way.

- In a related way, comply with the spirit of regulations and guidelines and not just the letter. (For those that actually do).

- And on....

- And on....

[vossy]

Re: A DCA Writes

They should drop the hard attitude, everyone knows that if someone comes out hard at you then you immediately go into defence mode, if they had any sense the softly softly approach would probably work, mind you anyone here would still tell them to fuck themselves though

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: A DCA Writes

Problem is if the OC assigned the debt (s136 Law & Property Act 1925) then yes, you do have dealings with said DCA.

Let's stick to what this thread is about. In that I'm asking what can a dca do that would make someone (obv not many from here lol) consider communicating with them. Or the reverse, what are they doing that really gets your back-up....

Answers on a thread-card please

[kilasuit]

Re: A DCA Writes

Make OC deal with it. I borrowed from them hence my contract to repay is with them.
My standard response to telephone or written is that I have no dealings with said company and to remove my details as I wish not to be harassed in future.

But honest point OCs need to be more willing to look at 12 month payment breaks & arrangements.

If they did this more people would be willing to co-operate.

My circumstances put creditors last and they dislike it.

Plus any repayment plans need to be realistic.
A surplus of £50 a month before repayments start to allow for unforeseen circumstances to the consumer.

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: A DCA Writes

I think the the prevailing factor is that DCA's should take the trouble to find out the history of accounts so that they can be aware of any disputes and sensitive to any vulnerabilities before ploughing in with template letters and threats that take no account of the individual circumstances.

Transparency, integrity and honesty are also key, as many consumers, thanks to forums like AAD, have become very aware of their rights and will not tolerate being misled or bullied.
One can't blame people for giving up responding in exasperation, when successive DCA's regurgitate the same templates, and alienate people from the outset by the rude and threatening tone of the letters.

[PlanB]

Re: A DCA Writes

& the big bold underlined text needs to go as well....

I agree maybe we should change this to what NOT to do...!

They've already been told that by the OFT but they don't take any notice

DCAs should stop paying their staff bonuses and commission for bullying money out of people while under pressure to meet office targets. Maybe then they would listen more to what they're being told and get a positive outcome.

[Deepie]

Re: A DCA Writes

3 weeks ago I get a letter ...Your account has been escalated to Pre Litigation.

This morning...Repaying your account - our offer to you 50% discount.

Should it not be the other way round ?

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: A DCA Writes

& the big bold underlined text needs to go as well....

I agree maybe we should change this to what NOT to do...!

[PlanB]

Re: A DCA Writes

A DCA writes to you…

There are many customers who wish to pay their debt, but they do not reply to letters. We fully appreciate many persons cannot pay anything or do not want to pay. That is another matter entirely.

Often the decision not to communicate leads to legal action which is something both sides usually wish to avoid.

The question:- What can a DCA say in their letters to persuade persons who want to pay to communicate with them? By communicate we do not simply mean telephone, though that is an option, but to write/e.mail etc

Please give your honest views here as the data compiled will be sent to the dca's...

Surely people who actually want to pay will communicate with them

My honest view? I'm not going to tell a DCA how to chase me for money, they can jolly well figure that out for themselves or consult a focus group - they can afford this.

But I'm happy to tell them what not to do. Their starting point should be to stop writing letters threatening county court summons and charging orders from Day 1 because that's not exactly inviting positive communication

And a second tip would be to forget using red ink

[Never-In-Doubt]

A DCA writes to you…

There are many customers who wish to pay their debt, but they do not reply to letters. We fully appreciate many persons cannot pay anything or do not want to pay. That is another matter entirely.

Often the decision not to communicate leads to legal action which is something both sides usually wish to avoid.

The question:- What can a DCA say in their letters to persuade persons who want to pay to communicate with them? By communicate we do not simply mean telephone, though that is an option, but to write/e.mail etc

Please give your honest views here as the data compiled will be sent to the dca's...

Thanks guys.