Harassment

It is not harassment to make reasonable attempts to recover a debt. However, and attempt which is unreasonable (in the opinion of a magistrates' court in England or Wales) constitutes an offence under the Administration of Justice Act 1970.

The OFT some years ago produced the following list of things which they would regard as unreasonable

Creditors must not:

• Bring unreasonable pressure to bear

• Falsely claim that criminal proceedings can be brought

• Falsely imply that you may legally seize property or take other action without going to Court

• Compel the signature of documents which allow repossession of goods

• Impersonate a court or other official in person, or by letter or telephone

• Make nuisance visits or telephone calls

• Use abusive language in person, or by letter or telephone

• Contact a customer at work, or his/her employer with intent to create embarrassment and create fear of dismissal

• Wait outside work on payday

• Call on neighbours, pretending to believe that they are the customer

• Send insufficiently addressed postcards

• Take books or documents which are illegal to assign as security.