Debt Collection Harassment From Barclaycard
Having recently written an article explaining what is debt collection harassment it was a bit of a co-incidence that I then ended up being harassed myself by Barclaycard yesterday and the day before.
What happened was that my home phone received a phone call from them every couple of hours, each time it was a recorded message asking for me, and asking me to press number one to hear the message.
In addition to having my home phone number bombarded with these incessant messages, I then had my mobile phone number bombarded with text messages asking me to phone Barclaycard about my account.
The final message said something about a debt collection agency getting involved if I didn’t get in contact with them ASAP.
I just ignored all the calls and messages for a couple of days while I figured out what I wanted to do. I’ve already settled one of my debts with Barclaycard for significantly less than the debt was worth, so I figure I’m entitled to settle my other Barclaycard debt for less, given that more time has passed since the first debt was settled.
Last night, I did follow the instructions on the Barclaycard message and eventually got through to speak with an operator. This lady was not a native english speaker so the telephone conversation was not terribly concise.
After establishing with this lady that I could not afford the amount they were asking me to pay, and that I had already written to them to explain this, she suggested that I setup a debt management plan.
I told her that it was in Barclaycards’ interests to accept the amount I can afford directly from me, rather than go through a debt management company who will only take a % from the money I pay each month, thus leaving less money for Barclaycard, but she didn’t seem to grasp this concept.
I then offered 20% as a full and final settlement if she accepted on the spot, she refused saying that they don’t offer full and final settlements, which I informed her was rubbish as they had already settled my other account.
She then said they can’t offer me a full and final settlement on the account in question, so I replied that they will just have to accept what I am paying them until they come to their senses and accept a full and final settlement. I then prompty hung up as the conversation was not going anywhere.
It does amaze me that in spite of overwhelming evidence to suggest that what I have offered is the best deal for them, there is still this feeling that it would be more beneficial for the creditor if I were paying my monies through a debt management company – why? It will only reduce what Barclaycard receive as a monthly payment – bonkers in my opinion!