help

A question about : help

I'm hoping someone can cast some light on a company called power2contact. I've had a letter from them today on behalf of Mercers (on behalf of Barclays) saying that Mercers have engaged them on their behalf and unless I contact Mercers in the next 72 hours, they will conduct a prelegal visit - what is that??!!

I am in dispute with Barclays over CC debt and was happily paying... they are messing around with interest and charges and I am in the process of negotiating but do it all by letter and do not wish to talk to them on the phone. I have made it clear that I am willing to pay and have communicated frequently.

Will these people come to my house.... I'm feeling very freaked out!

Best answers:

• My husband got into money strife before I met him and he has been receiving letters threatening home visits which have never happened. Half the time they are just a scare tactic to get you to ring up and pay money. Im sure somebody in the know will give you good advice but you should not worry as it is not good for you.
• Have you stopped paying? And have you notified Barclays that you dispute the debt and why?
  If you have stopped paying then I would notify power2contact that you dispute the debt in writing. Copy Mercers. Send Mercers a SAR request with the Ј10 fee. And notify both of them that you want all correspondence to be in writing.
  Then get your act together on the disputed charges because it is likely that the pressure will start to increase now - they have already upped the ante. Perhaps seek some professional advice or post a separate thread here with the details of your dispute so it can be sorted out.
  It is highly unlikely that they will turn up - it is indeed a scare tactic designed to get you to pick the phone up when they can apply undue pressure to you. Which they will.
  In the (very) unlikely event that they do turn up they have no rights at all. Simply tell them that you will not discuss it with them and tell them to get off your property. If they don't go way, tell them you are calling the police.
• Thank you lensman and lesgeo2012, your comments have been really helpful. I am doing a self-run dmp with the help of a very experienced friend (who is away this week hence my panicky post here). I will write to them as suggested and continue to request communication in writing.
  Many thanks for taking the time to reply.
• *hugs* It's probably just a bullying tactic and once you let them know that you're disputing it they should leave you alone, at least until your friend returns and you feel less panicky. Hope this gets sorted for you soon, Lensman above has given you some good advice.