08. Sample Letters

The letters below are examples of ones I have received in the past few months. They try every possible tactic, from threats to special offers, in an effort to get me to pay any amount. The original ‘debt’ was with Natwest Bank and was incurred in about 1995. At that time there was the usual round of agreements to pay the original lender, followed by a number of collection agencies trying to extract their pound of flesh. There was then a long gap, which was broken either by the ‘debt’ getting near the end of its life, or the fact that I started to pursue the bank for excessive charges.

You will notice that all through this process I was ignoring the advice I give on this website and it got me nowhere. I have been doing my best to pay and have been in contact with the various collection agencies and solicitors. All this did was to prolong the process – which would still be continuing today had I not put a stop to it with a Debt Killer letter. Once I did that, they just rolled over and went away to harass others less well informed.

This final round of letters was interspersed with phone calls trying to get me to commit to payment, asking for reasons I’m not paying and trying to get personal financial details.

The bank starts with the usual dire warnings, followed by a threat to take legal action, or put me in the hands of a collection agency – as a result of which they may:

1. Secure the ‘debt’ against my property by way of a court order.
2. Pass my debt to a firm of Debt Collectors.
3. Commence court action to secure payment from my employer direct from my income.
4. Apply for my bankruptcy.

Since options 1,3 and 4 would involve them getting their hands dirty, the only likely outcome was to pass me to the collection agency, which they duly did.

Collection agency Intrum Justicia started, surprisingly enough, with a 50% offer:

If they are really entitled to chase me for the full amount, why would they be content with only half? This smells bad right from the start.

Getting no reply, they pass me to Irwin Mitchell Recoveries, their solicitors, who threaten legal action:

It then goes to Debt Investigations (UK) Ltd, who offer a friendly home visit. I didn’t want this, so I called them and they offered a 20% discount:

Back to Intrum Justicia, offering an unspecified ‘Seasonal Offer’. Just what the ’season’ was on 18th February is unclear:

Then on to Frederikson International, who adopt a no-nonsense tone:

A ‘Final Notice’ from Brian Carter and Co., solicitors – another empty threat:

Robinson,Way & Co, collection agents also kindly offered a home visit:

Then Horwich Farrelly, solicitors, again threaten court action:

At this point they get my Debt Killer letter and immediately change their tune:

Two months later they admit defeat:

Just like that!

So ended twelve years of misery. At the time the letters seem pretty intimidating, but looking back over them you can see they are full of empty threats. The threats get more dire as they get less response. At the end of the day, the only way to deal with them is to be as aggressive as they are – the difference is that they have no answer when you are in the right.

This whole industry is one big con trick from the banks downwards and it’s backed by the government. Join the growing number prepared to stand up for their rights and keep these parasites in their place. I have the legal answer that calls all their bluffs.

It will cost you just £47 to take the next step. You are about to get peace of mind.

Popularity: 100% [?]