Consortium Technology

[ELMAJORI]

Has anyone on the AB had any dealings with this Company. They contacted my son, who has debt problems. He, foolishly, I feel, paid them £900 by credit card for which they say they will reclaim credit charges and any ppi. I didn't think companies charged for this search.I have a horrible feeling about this. Can anyone put my mind at rest?

[buildersmate]

Some info on them here. Doesn't look good to me.
Consortium Reclaim is the trading name of Consortium Technologies. It runs from a call-centre out of Swansea.
http://forums.moneysa...wthread.php?t=3206136

[ELMAJORI]

Thanks buildersmate. It doesn't look very good does it? there are very few satisfied ccustomers the majority are not very happy. He hasn't signed any paperwork yet, but it looks as though that doesn't matter. The time starts as soon as you give them your credit card number. Thanks anyway for the directions to the website.

[VHG]

>>>>He, foolishly, I feel, paid them £900 by credit card

No wonder your son has debt problems.

Why pay anything up front to a company like this.

There are so many guillible people around, no wonder the scammers keep trying it on.

[gingejbee]

VHG- was about to post the same comment. "Own worst enemy" springs to mind.

[factor-fiction]

He could ask his credit card company about getting the money back -I doubt he'll succeed but it's worth a try but

[boxtops]

Oh dear - I bet it was a cold call too.

I am reclaiming PPI through an agency but they take on the case for nothing, they only take their percentage fees from the successful reclaim (and it's working well so far). He shouldn't have had to pay anything up front, IMO.

[ELMAJORI]

Thanks to all who answered without criticism.Factor 30 the bank may help.

[Lynne68]

I had dealings with them, after unsuccessful enquiries and having parted with a lot of money, after a cold call and hard sell, I contacted "consumer direct"Ministry Of Justice & my credit card company. They froze interest on the amount taken by Consortium reclaim, and recalled the amount which was put back onto my card just before christmas. The good news is your son put it on his credit card so under the consumer sales act, he can get his money back from his credit card company, as they are also responsible. I would urge him to let consumer direct know, and ring the minstry of justice, as they regulate Consortium reclaim, and there are rules on cold calling, and certainly about taking money from potential clients, without firstly sending out paperwork and allowing for reasonable consideration. In my experience, they haven't refunded any money to me willingly, even though they do state "if we are unsuccessful on your claim, we will refund ALL your money".. what they don't tell you is that they will hold onto it, and won't communicate with you. I suggest you approach your sons credit card company and quote the consumer act.. research on the net so they know you know what you're doing. good luck.!

[ELMAJORI]

lynne68. Thank you so much. I have phoned the credit card company and they told me they can do nothing at the moment, only if CT do not keep their side of the contract, then they will step in. I checked the small print and there is a 14 day cooling off period and believe it or not to-day is the 14th day. I e mailed a cancellation, then I telephoned and managed to speak to a "human" and they "say" a cheque will be sent within 28 days for the full amount. So glad your claim was successful and will go down the road you have suggested if no cheque arrives within the 28 days.Once again thank you so much. Watch this space in 28 days and I will update you.

[Lynne68]

hi there, glad to help... if you look for consortium reclaim in an internet search they will come up time and time again..I found that whenever I rang them, I was told they were looking at different claims to get me some money. If you have a CAB near you, I would go and get some advice, I would check he is not being charged interest on the amount they have taken off his credit card. i suspect they have increased their PPI fees, as it wasn't that much last year. I remember seeing a post where someone had paid £50.00 which is a lot less to lose. They have breached their contract with your son anyway by taking money without reasonable time for him to consider his decision,(ministry of justice guidelines) I would ring consumer direct anyway, they will help you to put together a letter which you need to send recorded delivery. I did that, they are meant to respond within 2 weeks,I have received nothing back from them. Always be one step ahead. I will watch out for your posts to see how you get on.. you can get your PPI back without these companies, there are template letters on the net. I do hope you get some good news soon.x

[Lynne68]

P.s. Please keep a copy of your e-mail to consortium reclaim as proof that you cancelled the agreement within the time frame set by them.I would back it up with a letter stating that you are giving them a set period to return the full amount they charged, stating the e-mail and phone call to the company. You should also send a copy of that letter to your credit card company, they can then see you are doing everything by the procedures. This will go in your favour if you don't get a cheque in the next week or so. Keep in touch.

[bednobs]

i am not sure that they will accept someone cancelling on behalf of someone else, or why they should, unless you have power of attourney for your son

[EDDIE51]

Yes, you can not act on your sons behalf, if they find out it was you not your son they can ignore it and keep the cash.
PS if he has debt problems the very 1st thing he MUST do is cut up his credit cards !!

[EDDIE51]

The credit card company should not have even discussed your son's transactions with you, he is an independent adult and has to sort out his own financial affairs, unless as has been said you have power of attorney for him.
I know you are trying to help but he MUST do this for himself , you have no legal power to act for him. Any action you take for him has no legal basis and can be ignored. The finacial companies he is dealing with should refuse to even speak to you about his affairs .

[ELMAJORI]

So sorry I mislead you, after I got through to credit card company and Consortium I gave the telephone to my son who then spoke to them. Thanks for all the advice So far I have kept copies of emails and dates of phone calls also names of individuals and their extension numbers. Will let you know of final outcome. Hopefully all the advice given will help anyone else who has been taken in by this company.

[Lynne68]

with all due respect.. its very tempting when someone rings you..and tells you that they can get your debt wiped out because of a legal loop hole, and they state its a no brainer...no success.. a full refund will be given.. or success means no more credit card payments to make, and it becomes even more of a dead cert when they say they are regulated by the Ministry of Justice.... I consider myself to be very astute, but was caught out by them at a time when I was vulnerable, which isn't very often.. Most people,at sometime, have found themselves in a hard financial position, and debt is very easy to accumulate. My advice would be, once he has his money back from Consortium Reclaim, to look for an interest free card and switch the debt, thereby, paying off the debt quicker. I agree its a good idea to cut the cards up, as they can be a temptation, but the main objective here is to get the substantial amount back from,in my opinion, a disreputable company, that prey on the vulnerable.I would like to say, your son is a very lucky young man to have such a supportive mum. I look forward to hearing that you have had the conclusion you wanted.x

[annievee]

I stupidly stupidly fell for the sales pitch and parted with £2500 nov 2009 and have been fighting since then to get my money back, they offered me £900 back in sept2010 and now i am in the process of taking them to court don,t do what i did anne

[Mginsurance]

I did exactly the same in Febuary this year, I still haven't had my 'claim' settled.
All they keep saying is that they have applied to my bank for information and are waiting a reply which will take a further 28 days.
Due to severe financial difficulties I have had no choice but the take my banks advice and take a loan which also settled my credit card. I am 66 old and still having to work. I have informed Consortium Reclaim of this, now they state that because I have settled the account they can no longer proceed with my claim.
I don't see why this is a problem, all other types of card claims are going back 8 / 10 years whether they are 'dead' are still active, so why the problem ??