Thank you Mike ... OMG. I do (did) have a Barclaycard and *just today* settled it and cancelled it, because my credit limit was slashed down TWICE after I made a substantial repayment (and I have a perfect credit file, so I was really baffled and outraged)... is this what you mean by Barclaycard writing down accounts? You mean credit cards (and slashing doen limits immediately after customers clear the balance)? Well if so I can tell you it's no joke that I sent them a long letter of complaint together with my card cut in half. But of course cant do the same with the Firstplus loan. I was just planning to ride the wave for a few years, and then pay them off with a remortgage if I can get it. But basically ride the storm until the economy picks up again (I am an economist).

Anyway it is very reassuring that statutory law still binds unregulated contracts. I am very ignorant in these matters. I will study the Firstplus loan terms and conditions further, and see what, if anything, can be done. Kindest regards. GG65