Thanks Pamjo, I knew it was too good to last have had 4 calls this morning from LloydsTSB wanting me to make a payment over the phone. I sit in an open plan office at work and obviously I don't want everyone to know my business so I refuse to talk to them but it is still embarrassing trying to end a call without giving much away. One of my staff answered my phone when I was away from my desk and they told her they were from LloydsTSB phoning about a personal banking matter, might just as well have told her I owe them money!!! I've told them not to phone me at work but it just falls on deaf ears.

From experience, as soon as you ask for a full name so that you can record the conversation, the call will be short. At least from the view of those around you, you are dealing professionally with a call. Not sure how that fits with your work environment but I found it has the desired effect. Repeat in each call that you have asked for written communication only.

It would be funny if it wasn't so serious...

Yet another call from LloydsTSB Collections Dept. It would help if they staffed their call centre with people who had a better understanding of the english language. I explained my situation again and was put on hold, when she came back she said "That's fine Mr Adams (that's not even my name!) I can see that you spoke with us before and you have been made bankrupt"

I told her that I had not been made bankrupt I had a PTD and that is not the same, to which she replied "Ok Mr Adams, let me make a note here, you have a 'perforated' trust deed...

I certainly hope there are no holes in mine, just be careful in case yours springs a leak. Sorry if I didn't laugh I'd cry!

Humour helps!!