The rough guide - Dorsetforyou.com

MONEY 112
Harassment from creditors
Creditors are entitled to keep
reminding you from time to
time if you do not pay, as
long as they don’t resort to
improper methods. It is illegal
for anyone who has lent you
money to keep demanding
payment, for example, by
phoning you late at night, or
too frequently at home or
work. Neither should they
park a van marked ‘debt
collectors’ outside your home,
nor contact your employer.
You can’t be prosecuted in the
criminal court because you
haven’t paid your debts. Some
lenders, however, might try
to make you think you can. If
you are being harassed tell
the local trading standards
department or the police.
Getting advice
If you can’t tackle your
debt problems yourself, you
can get free advice from a
Citizens Advice Bureau. If you
can’t find an advice agency,
your local trading standards
department may be able to
put you in touch with one.
If they want to take you
to court
Hopefully, by talking to your
creditors and following the
steps mentioned above, you
will avoid being taken to
court. Most creditors don’t
want to take court action. It’s
used as a last resort. Don’t
ignore the court papers. Fill in
the forms which you receive
with the summons as soon
as possible. Send them back
to the court or the creditor,
as instructed. Again, your
Citizens Advice Bureau can
help you with this.
You’ll be treated fairly by the
court. You can only be sent
to prison for non-payment
of certain debts, such as tax
and maintenance payments,
and then only if you have the
money to pay but choose
not to.
Always seek help after
receiving a summons
Citizens Advice Bureau and
law centres can help you fill
in the forms and explain the
steps involved.
SPENDING YOUR MONEY
It’s easy to spend your
money, and it’s good fun.
But to make sure you don’t
get ripped off, check out the
information and tips below.
Buying goods
• Before you buy clothes or
shoes make sure you have
the right size, check the
labels to see what they
are made of and how you
should take care of them.
Can you afford to have
something dry-cleaned
every time? If there is
nothing wrong with what
you have bought, you have
no automatic right to take
it back because you have
changed your mind or find
that it is the wrong size. Ask
when you buy whether you
can take it back and always
keep your receipt.
• Don’t be put off by the
jargon which traders
use. Manufacturers
Recommended Price (MRP)
is simply a suggested price
for the item. Not many
people sell it at this full price
so you might not be getting