http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/TopicsActive.aspxPosts with recent activityen-USCommunityServer 2.1 (Debug Build: 0.2)http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/awesomely-bad-service-from-sky-21631.aspxThu, 08 May 2008 23:50:03 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:94177Kammelryder8http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/awesomely-bad-service-from-sky-21631.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=81&PostID=94177 DON'T SIGN UP WITH SKY. I was on Virgin broadband and getting a regular 2.2mb connection speed. I signed up to Sky all inclusive deal phone/tv/broadband and regretted every step. The Dish was installed after 2 missed apointments without apology or explanation. We were without a land phone for a week on the change over from BT to Skytalk, again without any real explanation or apology. The icing was the broadband though. The router arrived weeks after we were supposed to be 'live' on Sky broadband, I asked if the tech's could just provide the user name and password as I was more than willing and capable of configuring my 'old' adsl modem to sky's settings but was told it was 'illegal' to do this. Since when? So we waited and payed for a service that we were unable to use. When the router did arrive (a netgear) it all connected wonderfully and I thought the woes were at an end, no such luck. first it would randomly drop the connection so I went through the, painfully, tedious customer service centre and jumped through their scripted hoops like a good dumb dog should but to no good effect or resolution but did get moved up to a T3 technician who was Irish and so we at least spoke the same language. In addition when it did connect the speed was agonizingly slow (384k), eventually my computer, the wiring and BT were all diagnosed as being the culprits even after BT had come out to look at the exchange and my household wiring. I stumbled across a forum that showed you how to 'crack' the netgear router and get it to divulge your user name and password (this info is hardwired into the router just so you can't find out the info and use your own router/modem). I promptly zapped the info into my speedtouch adsl modem and guess what my connection speed went up to 7.2mb!! When I contacted the T3 technician, by this time we are on first name terms, (we are talking HOURS to get to this stage), and explained what I had done, and asked what Sky were going to do now I had conclusively proved that it was their shoddy router that had caused all of my problems. Do you know what his reply was? don't make waves, if Sky found out they would cancel my contract and sue me for the remainder of the contract term fees, to always connect my Sky router when contacting customer support as they can tell if it's not being used, and BTW he uses a BT Voyager at his home even though he's on Skybroadband. Wonderful It cost a fortune to use their 'support' lines to find out nothing, to be insulted by ignorant people in a call centre who don't care, to be hung up on by the same people when I point out the script has already been completed many times to no effect, but a few minutes on a friends computer with google found a solution that has worked consistently for the last 10 months. That means my contract is up, and I'm looking for a new provider but if anyone wants the crack for their router I'll post it. Meanwhile, anyone recommend a good broadband service :) kammelryder. http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/iphone-alarm-clock-docking-station-39874.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 23:03:22 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169513lc170http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/iphone-alarm-clock-docking-station-39874.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=99&PostID=169513 Hi. Can anyone recommend an Iphone compatible Alarm Clock Docking Station that charges at the same time. There are some listed online but do not state if they charge the phone at the same time. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/lemon-of-a-car-by-ford-dealership-39873.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 20:15:19 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169501haisag1http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/lemon-of-a-car-by-ford-dealership-39873.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=16&PostID=169501Help! I brought a car in April this year from a local ford dealership. It was a ford fusion, 40,000 miles and we had an extended warranty of 12 months(04 plate). After 3 weeks the exhaust fell off. It took them 3 weeks to repair which they did under warranty. Then the cd player kept jumping and had to be replaced. In August a noise was heard in the car I took it back and was told it was because i was not used to Diesel!! After another 3 weeks of the noise getting worse I took it back again and the wheel bearing had welded to the stub axle costing me over 200 pounds. As soon as the colder weather came the car will not start in the mornings Two weeks ago the clutch went and I had to get towed home 50 miles. I took the car back to the garage and stated that they needed to either repair it free or swop it. They felt that they would not pay for the repairs but would exchange the car. Since this time they are only offering me cars worth 3000 even though I paid 5,000 for the car. Does anyone know what my rights are or what I am entitled too. As a woman I feel they are trying to dupe me!http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/swiftcover-automatic-renewal-con-39870.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 19:58:37 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169498thanos231http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/swiftcover-automatic-renewal-con-39870.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=13&PostID=169498 Apoligies if this has already been covered elsewhere... Firstly, can i just say to avoid Swiftcover insurance like the plague. I let them know that I did not wish to renew my policy, and have a confirmation receipt for the email, BEFORE the old policy expired. In spite of this they had already renewed the policy before the old one ended and charged my credit card. Is this legal? I can appreicate that it can often make sense for a company to renew when a policy lapses but can they do it before? They tell me that I had been warned that the policy would renew, and I agree, which is why I told them I didn't want to before the old one lapsed! I've just read Peter Gerrard's article about automatic insurance renewals with interest. He mentions that it's a legal requirement to send a policy renewal notice 28 before the policy expires. Can anyone point me to this legislation as Swiftcover do this, by email only, 25 days before. Peter also mention ICO guidance about good practice. Swiftcovers hide the renewal information away in the small print which the ICO say is bad practice - can I actually do anything about this? Is is something they 'shouldn't' do or is it actually a breach of the Data Protection Act. Would the ICO take a complain seriously? I should say that it does look like Swiftcover are going to give me my money back, while still somehow blaming me for this happening, but it'lll take upto 14 days so I may have to pay my credit card bill in the meantime. I should be able to afford it but what happens to other people who can't? Is there anyone I should complain to to try and stop this happening again? The FSA? Any info would be greatly appreciated. http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/credit-card-transaction-45-years-later-39871.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 20:01:07 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169499Heather223http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/credit-card-transaction-45-years-later-39871.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=4&PostID=169499 Hi - I wonder if somebody could give me some advice. I recently checked my credit card statement on-line and noticed it seemed particularly high. There is a charge on there from a Hotel in Malaysia from July 2005. I did stay at this hotel in July 2005 for 3 nights but did check out with my credit card. I don't have statements anymore going that far back but the credit card company have sent me statements from July 2005 to December 2005 and there is no charge on there from the Hotel. On that basis, it looks like the charge didn't go through. However, I no longer have the receipt so am also uncertain if the amount is correct. I also found it strange that the credit card company let this charge go through without contacting me first, especially as it is 4.5 years old. I have contacted the hotel direct and they are investigating. Would I still be liable for this after 4.5 years and is it up to the hotel to prove the amount that is potentially owed and that I do in fact still owe this? In the meantime I have today received my credit card statement in the post and am due to pay the amount imminently (I always pay the full balance by standing order). The credit card company won't withhold this amount whilst I am investigating and the best advice they can give me is just pay the minimum charge on my credit card and pay interest on the balance. The amount that I am investigating is £1100.00, so it is quite a hefty amount. Any help would be appreciated - regards, Heather http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/help-need-some-advice-on-debt-management-39856.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 11:37:56 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169401stebo2http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/help-need-some-advice-on-debt-management-39856.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=129&PostID=169401 Hi, Myself and my partner are looking for advice on managing our creditors. We have just bought our first house, but we have some issues with paying our 2 credit cards, plus 1 or 2 other things. We are paying them on time but we feel we are struggling and end up using what we have just paid. It feels like we are getting nowhere. Its more the case of not the amount of debt, but the amount we are paying out. I have tried getting a loan to consolidate things in to 1 smaller monthly payment. But unfortunately we keep getting declined. I do not want a trust deed or anything like that as there is only about 4k worth of debt. I only want to reduce our payments. Can someone please offer advice or help on this? Thanks http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/o2-open-and-iphone-39576.aspxTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:22:55 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:168304richbk1http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/o2-open-and-iphone-39576.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=69&PostID=168304 Through my place of work I can obtain an O2 Open code which entitles me to a discount on O2 tarrifs. I called the O2 helpline prior to taking out contracts on 2 32g 3GS iphones to ask whether the code could be applied to those tarrifs. I was told they wouldn't be able to do it in the shop but if I called back to O2 after taking out the contract, they would do it. Now, having taken out the contracts in September, I'm being told that the discounts don't apply as they are 3GS phones and the only people entitled to discounts on the 3GS tarrifs are O2 employees. I have said I want therefore to return the phones and get a refund as I took out the contracts based on a misrepresentation but have been told that I have had them too long. Anyone got any similar experiences or can give me some advice as to where I stand re refunds etc? http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/undeclared-modifications-39805.aspxThu, 19 Nov 2009 18:47:46 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169140Becs12315http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/undeclared-modifications-39805.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=13&PostID=169140 Hi, In the event of a claim where undeclared 'modifications' are found to a car, are insurance companies allowed to charge you the an additional premium and increase you excess even if the modifications had nothing what so ever to do with the circumstances of the claim? In my case my car had metallic paint and alloy wheels which were just optional extras but my insurance company classes them as 'modifications'. The car was written off by flood water entering the engine due to a flash flood on the road while travelling at around 5-10 mph. As far as I can see the metallic paint and alloys are irrelevant to this event. They want to increase my premium by 106 pounds and my excess by 200, so it will cost me 306 in total. This is what they say the cost of my polict would be if I had declared them. Does it not seem a little high? My premium was only 450 so they are saying that alloy wheels would have added nearly 25% to the premium!! I'm just wondering what FSA regulations would apply to this? I didn't think that Insurance companies were allowed to penalise policy holders for minor contractual breaches unless it actually had resulted in a loss to the insurance company. Does anyone know the FSA regulations, I am struggling to find anything but brief overviews on Google. Cheers, Becs http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/debt-consolidation-loan-advise-reqd-39759.aspxTue, 17 Nov 2009 22:31:24 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:168955iand7771http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/debt-consolidation-loan-advise-reqd-39759.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=129&PostID=168955 Hi all.. was wondering if anyone can help me please? Im getting worried about my financial situation and just about keeping my head above water with my mortgage, loans and min. card payments. Im hoping and need to get a loan which will reduce my monthly payments whether it be 5, 7 or even a 10 yr term. I applied for 2/3 loans with different banks about 10 mths ago and was declined. Looking back now it was probably not the best time to apply as the bank werent lending to their best customers due to the recession. Since then I have been late with a few card pmts but everything else i have somehow made on time. I am aware that everyones circumstances are different but was wondering whether anybody knows of any high street banks or supermarket co's that have recently approved such loans for them and would be able help myself. I do own my own property but a secured loan is out of the question and a debt management programme would mess up my credit file for any future borrowing so an unsecured loan is the only option for me. My situation is getting serious now so would appreciate any help / advice anyone out there could provide. Thankyou in anticipation. http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/mounting-debt-39868.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 18:35:30 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169487Dawny19821http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/mounting-debt-39868.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=129&PostID=169487 Hi I desperately need some advice. My husband is in an IVA, and i now am finding it hard to keep up with my repayments on the debt i have. It totals £15000 between credit cards and a loan. Up until this month i have been able to pay the minimum payment and not get into trouble, but now one of my credit cards has gone over, so thay have put a charge on, plus interest and this takes me further over, and the minimum payment is due by the 7th Dec and i simply cannot afford it. What can i do? I really dont want to get into an IVA, I cannot get a loan because of previous credit searches and due to this I cant get a credit card with 0% neither. I need help! Thanks Dawn. http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/gas-boiler-install-39872.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 20:12:52 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169500cls19781http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/gas-boiler-install-39872.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=68&PostID=169500 Hi, I am looking into getting a boiler installed into a 2 bed semi. I am thinking of going for a combi boiler and was looking at places like B&Q who have boilers for about £500. I know you get what you pay for but have no idea how much a good boiler costs or what i would expect to pay for someone to fit this. Can anyone give me any pointers please Thanks http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/life-and-critical-illness-cover-commission-clawba-39240.aspxTue, 27 Oct 2009 07:51:08 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:166932Campbell C1http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/life-and-critical-illness-cover-commission-clawba-39240.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=103&PostID=166932 I have just re-mortgaged my home and have revisited my various insurances with the broker. In short, he has recommended a life cover/critical illness product where he receives commission of about £2000. However, he wants me to sign a letter agreeing that if I cancel within four years he will clawback the commission he has to pay back to the financial organisaiton from me. This seems very strange indeed to me - and frankly wrong. I am, in effect, guaranteeing his commission and I don't see why I should. I have never heard of this before - is this now industry standard practice or if I go elsewhere will I be able to get the same deal without this? http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/insurance-claim-refused-39865.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 17:09:18 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169477runningwolf3http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/insurance-claim-refused-39865.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=17&PostID=169477Hi, Im after some advice. I made a home insurance claim 2 months ago as i split a vase of water over my tv, dvd player, xbox 360 and original xbox. The insurance company refused the tv claim as i had it disposed of due to no room to keep it in our house as we live in a tiny one. They refused it due to not being able to inspect it. I accepted that as it was my mistake. The other items have been inspected by them. This is what they have said. They are refusing the claim as the dvd player although it had water ingress inside the unit, water marks were present on top. This showed that i didnt wipe away the water and do my best to stop the water. I said i hadnt realised the water had gone that far back as i didnt pull the unit out from under the shelf. The xbox 360. They have said although water ingress is present on the motherboard the xbox overheated and now has the three red rings and also the microsoft seal is broken. I brought it secondhand so did not know it had been opened. This is a known xbox problem and not caused by water. I stated before to them in my statement that i had continued to play the 360 after the incident as i thought the water didnt cause any damaged and the the three red rings started 3 days after the accident. I was advised by a friend to put in the claim as once water gets on motherboard it corrodes and will cause future problems. The original xbox was modified by myself several years ago, which included a bigger HDD. They refused this as 4 screws were missing and its been modifed. They said water is present on motherboard which will cause future corrosion. But the HDD is not working due to it not being flashed properly and not because of the water. I stated i had taken the modified chip out so it wouldnt work anyway, but water was present on motherboard which will cause it to corrode and fail to work further down the line. Any advice on if i can fight this or not would be great. Sorry its so long. Many thankshttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/my-barclaycard-fight-39863.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 15:41:15 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169456packard2112http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/my-barclaycard-fight-39863.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=4&PostID=169456 Have had nothing but trouble with Baclaycard for the last year or so, dropping my limit without notice, increasing my apr, and to cap it all off, hounding me for 2 weeks for a £3.16 underpayment. Have been with them for 10 years, but enough is enough, time to act. Have requested a copy of my original credit agreement (template on here), but have only received a photo copy of their terms and conditions and an unsigned (by either part) agreement. I am 100% certain, that I never signed an agreement. Both the 12 and 30 day time limits have elapsed, and I really am prepared to take this all the way, claiming everything and generally getting one over on them. What would my next course of action be Many Thanks http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/qualifying-years-for-ni-contributions-39848.aspxSun, 22 Nov 2009 13:12:40 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169350robsie4http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/qualifying-years-for-ni-contributions-39848.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=64&PostID=169350 Hi Can anyone answer or give me any information regarding qualifying years for NI contributions please. I am male 58 years old in full time employment with no pension, i assume i qualify for the 33 year period to stop paying NI contributions. if i stooped paying NI would it affect basic state pension and what happens to SERPS contributions any help would be appreciated. Thanks robsie http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/firstutility-35018.aspxThu, 14 May 2009 11:41:11 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:150136SandyI21http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/firstutility-35018.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=70&PostID=150136Is anyone else having problems getting service from first utility? I signed up for electricity in December and gas later in January, but they have still not provided the smart meter. I have phoned repeatedly over the last 4 months but so far they have done nothing!http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/bank-charges-what-should-happen-on-wednesday-39864.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 17:03:29 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169475Felicity King-Evans4http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/bank-charges-what-should-happen-on-wednesday-39864.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=64&PostID=169475 Hello, We're having a bit of a debate here at moneysupermarket.com Towers (well, Graeme and I are!) and so I wanted to hear your thoughts ahead of Wednesday (and the article I will be writing...). What should the Supreme Court do this week when it rules on bank charges? What's the best and fairest decision for consumers? I'm sure most of you are familiar with what's going on - the Supreme Court is to hand down an appeal ruling on a case between the OFT, and seven banks and a building society. There is considerable speculation that the court will clear the way for a ruling that the penalty charges banks have been handing down to customers for using unauthorised overdrafts were unfair. That could allow millions of consumers to reclaim charges dating back six years. There are several figures being discussed but the consensus is that this would cost banks millions of pounds to repay. Is this right? Do you think this is right? On the one hand, if these fees are found to be unfair then people have not been treated right. On the other hand, these fees affect a minority of customers but scrapping them could have implications for all customers - banks could introduce ATM fees and other day-to-day charges in order to make up for the lost revenue stream. If you don't use an overdraft, is it fair that you could now be hit with higher charges for everyday account use? On the other hand, I suppose it's possible to argue that we've been enjoying free banking at the expense of people who are struggling financially and so unable to stay out of their overdrafts? What do you think will happen on Wednesday and what should happen? I'm looking forward to your opinions. http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/upfront-loan-fees-39607.aspxWed, 11 Nov 2009 18:29:49 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:168431chapperz7http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/upfront-loan-fees-39607.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=3&PostID=168431 Hello has anyone heard of magic finance? Made a payment to them yesterday for a 'holding fee' of 69.99, thye have told me i have been accepted by one of their lenders black horse finance and will be hearing from them andf getting the payment back on completion? Unfortunately i didnt find the forum thread on upfront fee's until i made the payment. http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/do-go-go-hamsters-live-up-to-the-hype-39866.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 17:15:32 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169479Felicity King-Evans0http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/do-go-go-hamsters-live-up-to-the-hype-39866.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=99&PostID=169479 Hi, Last week I wrote an article titled 'The 'dream dozen' toys of Christmas 2009' and mentioned Go Go Hamsters - tipped to be the biggest selling toy this year. No, this post isn't a shameless plug for my article (well, a little bit, but mostly not) - I want to hear from someone who's actually played with one of these robot rodents. All the footage I've seen of them shows them running around and squeaking if you push their nose-buttons. However, when I see the word 'interactive', I kind of expect something more like Furby. How do they interact? How 'clever' are they? I almost certainly won't find one for my five-year-old cousin before Christmas (I am not paying eBay £60 for a £10 toy!) but I am thinking of picking one up for his January birthday. Does it live up to the hype? Thanks, Felicity http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/edf-gas-faulty-meter-39846.aspxSun, 22 Nov 2009 09:01:57 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169339RINSO8411http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/edf-gas-faulty-meter-39846.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=144&PostID=169339 We have just received a letter from EDF saying our monthly gas direct debit is to rise from £15 to £150 due to underpayment and to start in two weeks time!I have object about the notice and queried a faulty gas meter. EDF said meter was not faulty, would cost to have it checked (if proved not faulty) and money due was for used gas. On examining the accounts since taking our gas from EDF the only actual meter was the last. Has anybody any idea what the regulations say about maximum time between readings? I have checked and cannot see any “neighbours” connected to my gas pipe. I am taking Dailey readings for 7 days. We live in a two bedroom flat with a 4 year old condensing boiler, gas hob and the flat has cavity foam insulation and attic is insulated. We moved in 2003 and our gas direct debit has always been around £25ish. We had a new meter fitted end of last year. I have looked and the gas accounts and this year, 708m3 gas used in 270 days this I make to be 22,651kwh. And, this for a year is 30,622 kwh, and per day 88 kwh! Has any body any thoughts regarding: Has anybody any idea what the regulations say about maximum time between readings? What the average daily use is? Have I a faulty meter? http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/debenhamssantander-cardsviking-collection-service-39097.aspxMon, 19 Oct 2009 16:14:15 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:166310Nicola853http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/debenhamssantander-cardsviking-collection-service-39097.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=129&PostID=166310I'm having trouble with a Debenhams Storecard, I called Santander Cards and I told them I was having trouble paying my bills at that moment in time. They were understanding about my troubles. I was told that they would send a letter on which I could tell them about my income and my outgoings so they could reduce my monthly payment. I gave them 10 days to do so. I never received the letter. Instead I received the letter below. DEBT ENFORCEMENT VIKING COLLECTION SERVICES LTD P.O. Box 800 Leeds LS99 2AE 22/09/09 Dear Miss Santander Cards UK Limited DEBENHAMS STORECARD Account Number: Outstanding Balance: Your above Santander Cards UK Limited account has been transferred to Viking Collections Services Limited. This has happened due to your failure to make the acquired payments on your account. To avoid further action, which will include further contact by telephone and letter and administration fees. You are now required to pay the full outstanding balance of £ within the next 7 days. Please contact us on 0870 513 4601 to make this payment by debit card. If you are unable to pay the full balance you should still contact us to discuss your payment options. Yours sincerely Viking Collections Manager I wrote back with a Debt Validation letter. Viking Collection Services LTD P.O. Box 800 Leeds LS99 2AE Saturday 26th September 2009 Regarding: Debenhams Storecard Account Number: I am writing in response to the letter received from you on date 26/09/09. Pursuant to my rights under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b). I am requesting that you provide validation of this debt. Note this is not a refusal to pay, but a request that you provide me with evidence that I have a legal obligation to pay you. I am not requesting "verification" or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that you provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you. Please provide me with the following: The amount of money you say I owe. What the money you say I owe is for. Explain and show me a break down of how you calculated this amount you say I owe. Identify the original creditor's name, address and phone number. Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this alleged account. Provide me with a copy of the agreement between you and the original creditor that allows you to collect this debt for the original creditor. Provide me with a copy of the original contract with my signature. Provide me with your license number and any registered agents. If you are able to provide me with all of the proper documentation as I have requested. I will require at least 30 days to review and investigate this information and during such time any collection activity must cease and desist. Also, during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing of any information to a credit reporting agency that could be inaccurate or invalidated or by verifying an alleged account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is. If you fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, or do not provide me with the proper validation, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately. I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by you to my home, cell phone, work place, to any family members, friends, neighbors or co-workers. If you attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by Royal Mail. Yours Sincerely, I received a reply to my letter: Santander Cards 16 October 2009 Dear Miss Debenhams Account Number: Thank you for your letter dated 26 September 2009, received on 30 September 2009, regarding the above account. This has been passed to us by Viking Collection Services to respond. Please accept my apologies for the delay. I have enclosed a copy of the agreement that you signed to open the account and can confirm that this is the legally binding contract between you and Santander Cards. You will see that the agreement contains your title, name, address, telephone number and signature. If you require a full breakdown of the account copy statements can be provided. However, to cover administration costs a charge of £3.00 is payable for each copy statement. If you request more than three statements at any one time this charge will be capped at £10.00. Should you require copies, please send a cheque payable to Santander Cards to the following address stating your requirements. Credit Data Management Santander Cards P.O. Box 700 Leeds LS99 2BD Viking Collection Services whose registration number is 508834 are part of the Santander group of companies. As such, we have instructed them to collect the outstanding debt on our behalf and we are entitled to do so. Action will continue to be taken to recover the outstanding balance, which is currently £, if payments are not maintained according to the terms and conditions of the agreement. We will also continue to report the details of the account to the Credit Reference Agencies and any information already recorded will not be removed. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact our Financial Solutions Unit on 0845 6000025, who may be able to agree a suitable payment arrangement with you. I trust this clarifies the situation. Yours sincerely Enc: Copy of agreement Santander Cards, P.O. Box 700, Leeds, LS99 2BD　 *The reply was not from Viking Collection Services LTD it was from Credit Data Management, Santander Cards, P.O. Box 700, Leeds. LS99 2BD. I did ask for debt validation from Viking Collection Services LTD. I got a reply from Santander Cards instead. What I would like to know is: Is the copy of the agreement legally enforceable? I only have a tiny photocopied piece of paper with what looks like the front of the Original Credit Agreement, signed by myself. I have not been provided with any T&C’S. I’m not trying to get out of paying my debts. I’m just annoyed that I did not get to sort out paying my debt to the original creditor Santander Cards. I have no Idea who Viking Collection Services are. Which is why I sent out a debt validation letter to see if they legally own the debt and I legally have to pay them I can do so. If yes/no what should I take for my next step? Thank you in advance for you help. Nicola.http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/default-on-a-british-gas-account-help-39176.aspxThu, 22 Oct 2009 22:30:58 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:166651Jayy12http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/default-on-a-british-gas-account-help-39176.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=129&PostID=166651Hi, I'm a first time user to the forum but really needed some advice as I've just came across something on my credit profile and feel physically sick. I have been monitoring my credit profile very closely since the start of the year, I made a few late payments to my credit cards and my score dipped very rapidly to 218. Now I have battled all year to get to the most recent score (last week) of 866. In another months time I was going to be ready to talk to my bank about a 14,000 consolidation loan and my life would have completely changed for the better. However, I logged in tonight to check to see if my old credit accounts I had closed down was showing on my profile, and to my complete and utter disgust I have a DEFAULT on a British Gas account. It says on my experian credit report that it wsa Started on : 30/08/2008. and that special instructions were started on 01/10/2009. Now this is at my old address, I moved out in October last year, I own the property but I rent it out through an agency and I have literally nothing to do with it. I dont deal with the tenants just the agents. Now I havent received or seen any mail. Surely, if they had servred some sort of warning notice or collection letters these would have been sent to be signed for by me? I've seen nothing, and knew nothing about it, before I moved out last year my account ws £160 odd in credit. I paid monthly to them, then they took from that stash of money, quarterly. I informed them I was moving out and judging by what I saw online that would cover the gas bill and a few pounds more, which I wasnt concerned about. I didnt change adress with them as I was moving back to my parents. Now I have various credit cards , finance on my computer and finance on my car. I have NEVER just not paid anything, just for the sake of it. The worst thing I have ever done is paid an account maybe a week late and I was punished for it and learned my lesson. Is there anything I can do? It says even if i settle this account, which i intend to do as soon as their lines open tomorrow morning, that this will remain on my account for 6 years. I cant believe that I'm so close to getting all my finances back on track and being able to move back into my mortaged property next year, now this has happened. Any advice would be much appreciated Jayy P.S. The default is a piddly £149.http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/no-electricity-bill-for-2-years-39749.aspxTue, 17 Nov 2009 16:18:53 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:168917krens2914http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/no-electricity-bill-for-2-years-39749.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=70&PostID=168917 Hello, I need some help please. I moved into my previous (MOD) property in August 2007, and set up a Direct Debit with SWALEC to pay both the gas and Electricity. I gave the correct meter readings and thought nothing more of it. I noticed in May this year that I hadnt recieved a quarterly bill for the electricity when my Gas bill arrived. I phoned SWALEC to enquire why, and they said I had a pay as go card metre. I corrected them, telling them I have a normal meter, and said that I have been paying £30 a month for the electricity. They said they had that money in the account, over £600 and would sort out the problem. I gave to two meter readings 7 days apart as they requested. On 1st July I moved out of that property and down south. The MOD faxed the move out metre readings to SWALEC. I phoned at the beggining of August to find out how the final bills were going and to set up Gas and Electricity with them again for my new property. They then said that they didnt have the metre reading for the electricity. I said it was faxed to them by the MOD, and it was strange as they had the Gas reading. Then they turned around and said the final reading was lower then the reading we gave when we first moved in. They suggested there was a problem with the metre. And would send an engineer. I arranged twice for an engineer to get access to the property, which isnt easy as its MOD and currently empty. The first time to engineer failed to show. Then it gets interesting. I phoned yesterday to find out what was happening. They said an engineer read the metre on 30th September, and we had a final bill. Which was in credit of over £600. I obviously was surprised. They told me to phone back today so they could double check and release a check to ourselfs. So today I rang..and surprise surprise, no engineer had been and read the metre..they had no reference of a move out reading for the metre. There must be a mistake. So I rang the appropriate MOD officials who luckly had an inventory of the metre readings, and they said that they remember an engineer going to the property and looking at the meter. I phoned SWALEC to inform them this, and even after receving the final metre reading they STILL need an engineer to look at the meter. After more phone calls, the MOD are now arranging to met with the engineer so he can have access..but to also prove that he did visit. Im absolutly pulling my hair out here. I feel ive dont nothing wrong, ive been paying the direct debit that I set up, I even let a man come in and read the meter for me so we didnt get estimate bills. I afraid that they will make a bill up, and that the money in the account wont cover the final bill. I feel its also unfair to be told that your going to recieve a check for £600 - £700 then told no. This problem has been going on for months, and its always me trying to chase them up. I also find it strange how theyre meter readings keep disapearing off the system. Do I have any rights here? What would people suggest to do? Kerensa http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/change-of-accounts-with-rbs-39857.aspxMon, 23 Nov 2009 11:55:07 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169408frustratedagain5http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/change-of-accounts-with-rbs-39857.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=7&PostID=169408 Hi After some guidance and despite extensive looking can't find this one (although I'm sure the more experienced will view this as a challenge!). Had an account with RBS, which I believed was closed, but had been dormant since 2004 IN CREDIT, albeit by £3.07. August this year get letter from Moorcroft Debt Recovery, saying I owe RBS £314.96 as outstanding debt - usual pay within x days etc. Wrote back immediately asking for further info as knew nothing about it and could they provide evidence - statements etc. Got letter back on Friday and found statements - turns out I was right. Account was Route 21 account and has been dormant since 2004 IN CREDIT. The debt has come from RBS moving the account after 12 months of no activity to a Royalties Account which charges a fee of £6.00 per month, which they have charged every month since, so from Sept 2005. They have then been charging me interest on this as the charges meant I was going overdrawn with no overdraft fee. So the full debt is account charges and interest on un-authorised overdraft. Questions are - has anyone ever heard of this, can they change account without my consent from free banking to fee paying, even after the account has been dormant for 12 months, does this fall under the unfair charges everyone else is talking about or is this a standalone issue, do people think I stand a chance of getting this wiped out and account closed? (I'll even forgoe my £3.07 I was in credit if they will do this!) I know I should have closed the account - but was young and did not know what sneaky tricks banks will pull! Have written letter to RBS Special Delivery, Moorcroft Debt with copy gone to RBS and FSO have given me reference and logged complaint as well - so all boxes ticked in terms of action to take but I am curious as to the route this may take. Any advice appreciated - thanks http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/npower-big-bill-now-going-on-pre-payment-39789.aspxWed, 18 Nov 2009 23:20:00 GMTd60303e3-0d44-49ad-b329-9875dfa2f932:169081chez26814http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/npower-big-bill-now-going-on-pre-payment-39789.aspxhttp://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=145&PostID=169081i recently had bill saying i was 800 pounds in debit, and afetrworking it out they under estimated my payments and as result this debt has built up and they want to chagne my payments from 85 to 389 a month, this is ridiculous!! they then said abput going on a pre pay meter and transfered me to arrnage the date for it to be fitted and i'm now thinking when u have the prepay meter how do u pay off the debt aswell?? has anyone been in this situation or know what happens?? thanx cheryl