Debt, Scams & Charity Oh My

[energyguy]

sorry just to clarify yes i'm from England

[Rapscallion]

Colleague of mine used to work for one of the energy companies and was the second line of defence as she called it. If the frontline workers got someone abusive, through to her room they went where she and a few of her immediate colleagues had free reign.

"If you don't cancel my debt, I'm going to drive *I think the figure was 200 miles or so* to your call centre and I'll be waiting in the car park for you."

"Love, I get out of here in an hour and a half, so I don't think you'd be able to make it. Besides, if you can't afford the £70 to pay your bill then I don't think you're going to be able to afford the fuel either. Now, are you ready to discuss other options?"

If it hadn't been for the pay, she said she loved it. Most of the time her natural snark worked fine.

Rapscallion

[von Adler]

These anglosaxon systems always amuse me. Debt collection, going from company to company etc.

Here, what happens is:

1. You get a bill.

2. You get a reminder (usually 14 days later, usually with a reminding fee, around $10).

3. You get a second reminder (usually another 14 days), often with a second reminding fee, around $10 again.

4. Your debt is turned over to a debt collecting companies (larger companies usually have their own debt collection departments), who send another letter and tack on a hefty fee (about $50) and start charging interest on the unpaid debt (around 5-7% annually).

5. If you do not pay the debt collector, your utility is shut of. Nothing prevents this. If you are disabled, or have kids, or anything else, you have to go to social services and ask for help. They can establish a contract in their name for you.

6. The debt remains, however, and is turned over to the bailiff (government authority).

7. The bailiff tack on another fee (around $100) and send you another letter.

8. If you do not pay the bailiff now, you get a mark on your record with the bailiff. This mark remains for three years. If you have paid your debts when your account is re-checked after three years, the mark is removed.

9. The bailiff then goes to seize any assets you have. They start with all bank accounts in your social security number/name and seize any assets there. Smae thing with stocks, bonds, savings or other paper money. Then they move on to taking a % of your monthly pay (by forcing your employer to deduct it from your paycheck) and then onwards to seizing any sellable assets in your home. Car, TV, computer, art, furniture, family hierlooms etc. Anything that can be sold and be used to pay off your debt and the costs the bailifff incurs when doing this.

Some fun facts about this.

The bailiff's record is public, and all companies offering utilities and services use it. Combined with the also public residency registry, you can call in, say your social security number and instantly get your utility - no need for proof of adress, deposits or credit checks.

If you have a mark in the bailiff's register though - no company will deal with you.

Some side notices. Social services is the last resort if you cannot support yourself or your family. They will give you a bare minimum, but you are not allowed to own anything beyond bare minimum to get their help. They will force you to move to a cheaper and smaller apartment, sell your house or apartment, use the bus and sell your car, sell your flatscreen TV and buy an old-fashioned CRT one instead etc.

Of course, you can in any of these steps inform the company or the debt collector that you believe that their records are in error and that you do not owe anything. It is then up to them to prove that you have signed an agreement and actually used the utility (gas, electricity for example) they have billed you for. In extreme cases, you can deposit with the bailiff the original sum owed and inform them that you are resisting the claim - they will then not seize any asset, and the debt owner will need to take you to court and prove that you owe them money. If they win, they get the money deposited at the bailiff, if you win, you get your money back. In neither case do you get a mark in the registry.

Lots of youngsters smarten up quickly when they realise they cannot get the new cool phone with a plan, get a nice apartment, buy a car on downpayments, get a loan or pretty much anything else while having a mark.

[Ironclad Alibi]

With all these debt defying deadbeats, what are Guido and Nunzio when you need them?

[dalesys]

With all these debt defying deadbeats, what are Guido and Nunzio when you need them?

That ficton has left this reality, and they're off to the land of Aahz.

[Ironclad Alibi]

That ficton has left this reality, and they're off to the land of Aahz.

I guess I'd have known that if I had already read the last three books in the series.