I recently moved house and with all the expense there is, one of my bills (normally paid on the 29th of each month) was not paid last month, since then the person to whom it gets paid has phoned me no less than 36 times, sometimes 4 times a day, and on Sundays as well
Is this classed as harrassment and if it is, is there anything i can do about it. I have paid on time for the last 4 years and have also never missed a payment.
I thought someone would come up with an answer like that, I will pay it when i get a bit more back on my feet, this months payment will be paid on time, it will be just 1 month in arrears.
Have you spoken to them and arranged a payment option? Seems rather harsh for one missed payment, but don't forget that most of these things are computer-generated and it is likely to be some hapless clerk in an overworked and underpaid Asian call centre who is responding to instructions on his/her computer to ring you like Pavlov's dog.
Have you called them? Prior to you falling behind to tell them you'd be late with payment? And or have you contacted them since to explain your situation?
If the answer's no, then I repeat, you can't blame them for chasing for the payment.
If think there is something in the telecommunicaions act (section 43, 1984 act maybe) that covers harassment by telephone. A colleague of mine kept being called at home by his manager and threatened him under this act. You could google it. It`s a misuse of the telephone system.
If you have reached a payment plan, then this treatment does indeed sound wrong, tell them politely that you will report them if it persists. But please stick to the amount agreed and the date due or they will continue.
Sounds to me that you did not discuss and arrange a proper repayment program. If you have not made such a thing with the person to whom you owe the money, I don't blame them ringing.
I agree with AlBags. I arranged payment plans and after that call I've not heard a peep. Once it's official and the money you agreed is going in consistantly then you don't really hear from them, companies would leave you alone as you are paying something and chase the ones that are not.
The biggest problems I hear about are when debtors do not discuss and make proper plans for repayment of debts.
It's asking for hassle .. and trouble.
So if you DO owe money .. try to make a proper repayment plan and stick to it .. or re-negotiate!
That will most likely NOT work without Police intervention .. phone message recording, etc. Like I said .. .hassle.
Sort the money .. or arrange/re-arrange the repayments.
AlBags..... I have spoken to them and made arrangements to pay them an agreed amount over and above the monthly payment and they are still calling and every time i answer them it is someone in a different country, while i have been on this site they have phoned me twice so i have decided to just reject the calls as they only have my mobile number...... Thanks again to everyone.