As many of you will know, I'm being asked for a mortgage shortfall by Eversheds for Abbey. In other words, I'm not a journalist, just another poor sod (with only a part-time job and two children aged 4 and 1) who knows the stresses involved. But I also know, there's something not right about this. As a result of contacting a group of people via this web page, and through other contacts, I have received some expressions of interest from the media in publicising the whole 'mortgage shortfall' industry, especially the pressure tactics of the solicitors (including their reluctance and slowness to give accurate details of their clients' claims) and the way in which people trying to rebuild their lives after repossession get hammered all over again - but this time along with their new children and marriages. So send me your stories, and let's get moving. I'm not going to give details of the media interest, and please consider replying to me privately, because we all know that lenders and their solicitors etc visit these web pages. The truth is the truth. What have we all got to lose? If anyone is doubtful of my 'credentials', e-mail me and we'll take it from there. I may also need to check you out too. My ideal outcome would be a government inquiry, followed by legislation. The current mish-mash of case law is a nightmare (thank god for the incoming Human Rights Act in October, which may see some movement here.) All best, Eleanor Scott.

-- Eleanor Scott (eleanor.scott@btinternet.com), July 24, 2000

Answers

Eleanor, my sister sent me an article from the News of the World, dated March 19, 2000, that deals with the mortgage shortfall nightmare. I don't know the name of the journalist who put the piece together, but it's not bad (for the News of the World). It appeared under their 'money' section. Maybe we should approach The Guardian next?

Anyway, let me know if you would like to receive a copy of the article.

Chas.

-- Charlie Cozens (chascozens@pavilion.co.uk), July 30, 2000.

Just to update this thread - thanks everybody for the fantastic response. Keep it coming, and do reply privately please for greater security. In the meantime I hope they won't mind me saying, but Jacky and Colin Jones told their story to the North Devon Journal and made it onto the front page (3.8.00). Updates on national publicity to follow. all best, Eleanor.

-- Eleanor Scott (eleanor.scott@btinternet.com), August 04, 2000.

An article appeared today in the Guardian by Tony Levene, which is well worth looking at! It's the lead article in the Jobs&Money, and it focuses on the ways in which most lenders have, apparently, knowingly dumped repossessed properties on to the market far too cheaply. The article also addresses (briefly) a number of other concerns about mortgage shortfall and lenders' practices. The Guardian link (no pictures) is http://www.moneyunlimited.co.uk/news/story/0,6449,358968,00.html. The article features yours truly as well as three other people whom Abbey National are currently ... interested in. There will more national publicity soon, and so more updates soon. All best, E.

-- Eleanor Scott (eleanor.scott@btinternet.com), August 26, 2000.

Just to show that it *can* be done - see Private Eye 8th September: it's the main story 'In The Back', under the heading 'Grabbey National' p 26, with a mention in the main index! Issue 1010. Get your copy now!! Also - check out story on Abbey and mortgage shortfall on the highly respected financial web site mrscohen.dot com. If even journalists care, then old mortgage shortfall claims *must* be immoral....

-- Eleanor Scott (eleanor.scott@btinternet.com), September 07, 2000.

An update about the story on the financial web site 'mrscohen.com'. This has now been prominently posted on the site (13.44 Fri 8 Sept 2000) under the heading 'Action Group Challenges Abbey National'. The story quotes Ahmad Butt, of the Mary Ward Legal Centre in London, as saying that Abbey National and Eversheds have mounted 'the largest organised recovery of mortgage shortfalls' in the country, and explores the human cost for those on the receiving end of their attentions. Thank you once again to all those who have helped publically highlight the behaviour of the lenders, especially Abbey National. Please contact me if you would like to be put in touch with any of the journalists involved, if you want to tell your story. They are particularly interested in examples of harrassment, intimidation, underselling of property, failure to supply evidence of shortfall claims, invasion of privacy, undue delay in contacting ex borrower, etc. All best, Eleanor.

-- Eleanor Scott (eleanor.scott@btinternet.com), September 10, 2000.

It's starting to snowball. Financial Mail, 24th September 2000 - centre page spread and the Mail are launching a 'Call Off The Mortgage Hounds Campaign'. The Mail and Private Eye want to do follow-ups. Gavin Lumsden at mrscohen.com wants to do more. Tony Levene at the Guardian is also interested. The News of the World are preparing a story, and so are BBC's Your Money. This is a BIG story - let's get it told, and told properly, so that our illustrious government can no longer ignore the banks' behaviour. And THANK YOU to all those who have been instrumental in pulling this off. Well done. Eleanor.

-- Eleanor Scott (eleanor.scott@btinternet.com), September 26, 2000.

Just to keep this thread up to date - check out (and keep checking out) the Mail on Sunday. And have a look at Your Money (BBC Breakfast News) on Friday morning.

-- Eleanor Scott (eleanor.scott@btinternet.com), October 04, 2000.